Housebuilding Thread

[Crossy]

Saturday dawns and the 'Big Car' is revealed as a large picker-upper, the odd angle of this image is NOT the result of too many Changs last night, honest

with a big bucket, fun is evidently about to be had.

Shuttering is all set, and those poles have moved, still not apparent what they're for though.

The first of four truckloads of CPAC arrives (actually turned out that an extra 1/2 load was needed),

and finds its way into the bucket.

Each bucket is about 1/2 a cubic metre

and it can get out of hand.

dumped out and ready to spread.

Note that for once everybody is wearing Wellingtons, concrete can be nasty on bare skin.

K. Dusit and Wifey supervise.

Make sure it's flat and level.

Each truck holds about 10 of these buckets, it's a lot quicker than the regular size buckets that were used for the beams

Under all that kit is a rather pretty but slightly cuddly lady

[Crossy]

Well, this will be the last update for a month or so as I'm off to Incredible India to earn some cash to pay for this lot. The Missus will be taking photos so once I return we can play catch-up.

The formwork is off the floor slab and the mystery poles are now revealed as part of the scaffolding.

Shuttering for the columns is under way

using a handy jig to keep things parallel

a couple of general views of progress.

[Crossy]

A couple of people have asked about our house design, the answer is here

And for those too lazy to follow the link:-

It's a No27 (from here http://www.crossy.co.uk/Thai_House_Plans/index.html ) but with the kitchen / diner moved downstairs and the upstairs space becoming the master bed / bath, the third WC upstairs moved downstairs making the lounge bigger.

We also added extra ground beams to enable more of the downstairs to be walled when She Who Must Be Obeyed wants to open a shop. A few other cosmetic changes but nothing major. The Missus also ordered a lot of Teak for doors and windows including that massive folding lounge door, this is not a cheap build

The plans are rather dynamic, things are getting adjusted live on-site, the contractor has one set of marked-up plans, hopefully he will copy them before the rain gets them as it inevitably will

Oh, forgot to say, the outside steps have gone, improves both the view and security

[Litlos]

As you are possibly still in planning stage for electrics a couple of other things that are worth mentioning, though may be superfluous.

I saw in Home Pro a while ago Clipsal brand GPO's, takes flat and round pins with earth and has the switch for each outlet.

The other day the bum gun in the Condo Thai bathroom failed and let water go everywhere. I heard the noise and switched on the light for a look, or should I say I went for the switch and got a pretty good boot from the wet switch mechanism. Maybe ELCB's on a lighting circuit are a good idea in a country where such things can happen.

Someone I used to work with spent a lot of money getting 2c + E in Thailand, later I asked "why not use 2c and separate earth", oh <deleted> was the answer.

I am also heading off for a month of fun and games to support my lifestyle, though a bit closer to home. Hope all goes well on the site during you absence. Working in the construction side of things in Thailand I am constantly amazed, and sometimes confused during the execution phase, though it seems to work out in the end

Cheers, Litlos

[cheeryble]

Hi Crossy

I'm in the early design stages...

Interested why you feel the need for a termite system in a masonry house.

I live in a wooden house. It has a small area of termite damage from before I came here. They've gone. Honestly there's nothing new except in some cheap wood I made the kitchen from....and that only because it's in a corner I didn't check and it ain't treated or anything.....which I should.

Seems to me if you keep your eyes open and in the event of a termite mud tunnel just knock it off. They don't seem to come back there.

cheers

Edited August 24, 2011 by cheeryble

[Crossy]

For the $1000 US it cost (including 3 years maintenance) I can't imagine not having a termite management system. Both my contractor and several posters on TV recommended having one.

Whilst the house is structurally concrete there will be a lot of wood involved and (even though it's mostly teak and less prone to attack by the beasties) I'd like to protect my investment. A mate has a concrete home in Manila, he only discovered a termite infestation when his lounge ceiling collapsed, the whole place was riddled, you really don't want to know how much it cost to sort

[GarryP]

That's the trouble with termites. You often don't know you have an infestation until severe damage has already been done. One evening I had clouds and clouds of winged termites flying about my living room. They had come out to set up new nests. I did not know I had an infestation. There were no outward signs. However, after this incident I checked every room and there were a number of wooden panels that looked fine from the outside but were really paper thin. Luckily I live in a rental. Lesson learned, my new house will be properly protected.

[toffo9]

best of luck crossy.. looking great so far... Ill be another following your build..

[Crossy]

Houston, we have a problem!

Well the arrival of the Chao Phraya has stalled work for a while, at least our re-designed ground floor level is well above the river.

I'll update properly when I manage to escape from Incredible India (Mumbai and Bangalore).

[harrry]

Houston, we have a problem!

Well the arrival of the Chao Phraya has stalled work for a while, at least our re-designed ground floor level is well above the river.

I'll update properly when I manage to escape from Incredible India (Mumbai and Bangalore).

Looks like you should get your next shipments of materials barged in now to save transport. It is a MIRACLE you have got as far as you have.

[mrbojangles]

Oh dear. Sorry to hear that Crossy. At least as you say, the new height seems to be coping well.

[Crossy]

Looks like you should get your next shipments of materials barged in now to save transport.

The noodle-soup lady was already coming by boat up our small khlong every day, she can now get right to the road and apparently does brisk trade as all the restaurants (including ours) are closed. We've always been aware of the flooding issues and tried to design for the levels achieved in the past, this is not quite as high as last time when Pathum Thani immigration on the other side of the river (Sam Khok) got flooded and had to move to the local hospital.

Water is currently about 1.5m above normal level, we've still got at least 30cm of rise before we get worried about flooding the ground floor and if it gets that high it will overtop the road where there is a lot of rice area to flood and absorb the additional water.

[thaibeachlovers]

#40 And the first cement mixer I'd seen in Thailand was delivered.

LOL. There's a couple blocking the soi back of our place, one in the vacant lot across from the front of the house, and the MIL has one slap bang in the middle of the front yard!

No shortage in my area of interest!

[Crossy]

Well, I've made good my escape from Incredible India, at least for a couple of weeks. So time for an update of what's been going on whilst I was away. Wifey took a LOT of photos, so this is the condensed version

Formwork is off the ground floor columns, the boys and girls stary the forms for the first floor support beams.

It's all held up with a forest of poles.

A foray up a shaky bamboo ladder reveals the sort of views we will get from upstairs.

Time for the beam re-bar cages.

[Crossy]

These things are pretty heavy, whole crew lends a hand.

More spacers hold the cage in position

and all is wired in place.

Beam forms go on ready for concrete.

[Crossy]

Nearly ready for concrete.

The small bathroom ready for pipework to start.

Pipework for the ensuite of the main bed goes in.

As does the small bathroom, this room will serve beds 2 and 3 as well as visitors.

[Crossy]

The first of many today.

Our old friend the crane and bucket is back and working well.

[mrbojangles]

Coming along nicely Crossy. Bet it's good being back on site.

It's driving me crazy being over here in Saudi whilst work is going on with mine, albeit I have slowed work down quite a lot till I get back.

[Crossy]

Coming along nicely Crossy. Bet it's good being back on site.

It's driving me crazy being over here in Saudi whilst work is going on with mine, albeit I have slowed work down quite a lot till I get back.

It's nice to get back and actually see what's been done, photos don't really cut it.

Sadly, as you will see at the next update, we are stalled due to the presence of the Chao Phraya which is currently covering the site to knee depth. Our revised ground floor level has remained dry during these floods so we are pretty confident that we won't get wet feet in future.

[mrbojangles]

Sadly, as you will see at the next update, we are stalled due to the presence of the Chao Phraya which is currently covering the site to knee depth. Our revised ground floor level has remained dry during these floods so we are pretty confident that we won't get wet feet in future.

How long has it been flooded now?

Good that the new floor level is keeping dry though.

A quick question on the waste pipes if I may. I know yours is a different build to mine but do you cover the plastic pipes with anything before covering in concrete?

Mine are going to be buried in soil underneath the floor before coming through the concrete floor and I'm wondering if I should encase them in concrete in the soil, so that if they leak they will still be encased as opposed to leaking into the soil.

[Crossy]

How long has it been flooded now?

Good that the new floor level is keeping dry though.

A quick question on the waste pipes if I may. I know yours is a different build to mine but do you cover the plastic pipes with anything before covering in concrete?

Mine are going to be buried in soil underneath the floor before coming through the concrete floor and I'm wondering if I should encase them in concrete in the soil, so that if they leak they will still be encased as opposed to leaking into the soil.

We got a taster of things to come on 3rd September with the full on flood arriving on the 10th

Waste pipes on the ground floor go through the slab into the sand fill below, little to no pressure so leaks shouldn't be an issue, touch-wood. Pressure pipes will be in the render so remain reasonably accessible.

[Crossy]

A side trip to Bang Pa In looking at Teak gables and roof details, serious sticker-shock ensued (and no mention of Farang involvement). We're not having a wood roof structure mind, much as both myself and Wifey would like it the already stretched budget would be over the horizon. Lots of outlets, we'll likely be coming here for the 2m x 4.5m patio doors too, Teak again, more $$$, may have to postpone retirement for another 100 years

[Crossy]

Upstairs columns have the formwork ready to go.

Columns are poured with on-site concrete.

Whilst bathroom floors are readymix.

We get a taster of what's to come when the river rises at a speed that alarms the concrete truck driver.

Formwork for the upstairs slab is started.

[Crossy]

More slab formwork in progress.

Small bathroom slab is in place.

The threatened flood arrives with a speed that shocked the workers.

Sandbags and an earth wall protect the rice on the other side of the road.

So, we're well and truly stalled, a couple of the boys remain on site making sure nobody borrows the tools and steel that is safely stored upstairs. Hopefully the weather will be kind and we'll be dried out in a month or so.

[Crossy]

Just wondering, almost a month has past and no updates, how is everything going ? Wish you all the best.

Stuffed mate, as is the whole area, about 1.5m on the site, 3m at our condo where wifey is currently surviving on rice and packet noodles

Once the water goes down we'll get back on track, how long that will take heaven only knows

[harrry]

Just wondering, almost a month has past and no updates, how is everything going ? Wish you all the best.

Stuffed mate, as is the whole area, about 1.5m on the site, 3m at our condo where wifey is currently surviving on rice and packet noodles

Once the water goes down we'll get back on track, how long that will take heaven only knows

while stuck in the condo she can plan where to add more teak....Hope things improve soon for everyone.

[mrbojangles]

Sorry to hear that Crossy. Hope it hasn't caused too much damage. Fortunately, mine in the boonies is currently dry. Fingers crossed.

[Crossy]

Luckily we're still at concrete pouring (or not pouring) stage so I doubt we've got any real damage, I expect the concrete mixer is toast mind. Some of the rebar that didn't get moved upstairs is likely written off too, we'll only really know what's occurred when the water finally returns to a sensible level.

This Missus is more worried about her fruit trees which are almost certainly drowned by now having been under water for the best part of 2 months

Downstairs arrangements are being rethought to be more flood tolerant, power outlets high up etc.

[flying]

Luckily we're still at concrete pouring (or not pouring) stage so I doubt we've got any real damage, I expect the concrete mixer is toast mind. Some of the rebar that didn't get moved upstairs is likely written off too, we'll only really know what's occurred when the water finally returns to a sensible level.

This Missus is more worried about her fruit trees which are almost certainly drowned by now having been under water for the best part of 2 months

Downstairs arrangements are being rethought to be more flood tolerant, power outlets high up etc.

So sorry to hear that Crossy!

On your rebar if it was wet for long ....check if it has a surface rust.

The main problem is if the surface rust acts like a straw slid onto the rebar.

If so you may still be able to wire wheel it off.

[yannic]

I thought a couple of times about your house and I was wondering what consequenses you are taking from this flood to prevent future flooding. I mean the retaining wall and the filling was defeinitely not enough, right? Sorry about this situation, so.