Out of plumb, and by how much
The tolerance is published, so the argument is arithmetic.
In short: Walls recorded deviating from vertical beyond tolerance on an Oran Park frame nearby.
What plumbness is
How close a wall is to vertical. Frames are never perfect and the standards accept that, which is why there is a published tolerance rather than a requirement for perfection.
What we recorded
Four separate records of walls deviating from vertical and exceeding the tolerance limit, on a frame inspection in Oran Park about four kilometres from Gledswood Hills.
Why exceeding matters
Everything downstream assumes the wall is within tolerance. Cabinetry, doors, tiling and cornice all get fitted to it, and each trade absorbs a little of the error until one of them cannot.
How it is measured
With a level and a straight edge over the specified length, recorded as a figure rather than described as leaning.
What to do with it
Correcting a frame is cheap; correcting the eight trades that followed it is not. This is a frame stage item or it is an expensive one.
Written by the Owner Inspections team from inspections carried out in Gledswood Hills. Licensed building practitioners, NSW Fair Trading licence 366177C.
