Pile foundation: pile records kept for every pile, not a sample
Applies only if your house has a pile foundation.
Why — act while you have leverage
On filled or backwater land the piles are the building. A short or defective pile is undetectable afterwards, and the record made on the day is the only evidence that ever exists.
What to look at
- A per-pile record sheet, not a summary
- Actual versus theoretical concrete volume for each pile
- Load or integrity test reports where specified
- Per-pile record sheet with depth and concrete volume
Documents to ask for
- Per-pile record sheet with depth and concrete volume
- Pile load or integrity test report
How to check it yourself
Every pile gets a record: date, depth reached, concrete quantity actually consumed against the theoretical volume, and any obstruction met. Concrete consumption well under theoretical is the classic sign of a pile pinched thin somewhere down its length. Integrity or load testing is done where the design calls for it.
Where this comes from: IS 2911 (Part 1) — driven and bored cast in-situ concrete piles; IS 2911 (Part 4) — load test on piles (indian standard or building code)
More foundation checks
- Photograph before this is covered
- Cover blocks in place — 50 mm to footing reinforcement
- Steel matches the grade and diameter on the drawing
- Concrete cured for at least seven days
- Rubble foundation: through bond stones at every course band
- Rubble foundation: hearting solid, chips under a fifth of the volume
- RCC footing: size and depth as designed, on the correct stratum
- Raft foundation: reinforcement laid in the order the drawing gives and not walked flat
- Under-reamed piles: bulb formed at the designed depth
- Plinth beam continuous and tied into the foundation
- Column starter bars plumb, with 40 mm cover and correct laps
- Backfill compacted in layers, not tipped in
- Damp proof course laid unbroken at plinth level