House Build

Hi Shawn, any problems with the freshly poured concrete after the earthquake?

 

The wife spoke to her mother and she said there were no problems, guess I'll see for myself tomorrow when we get in.

Shawn

 

Ok good news.

 

Another Sunday

Our flight from Manila to Dumaguete was cancelled yesterday, so with many delays we finally made it home today. The workers spent yesterday and today pulling forms...have to say I am happy with the concrete, got to look at it first hand this afternoon.

My biggest concern was with the EVG panels but things ended up looking pretty good.

The electricians really messed things up, but I think I can make it work. The plumbing was not done exactly where I wanted things on a few drops, but also think I can make it work out OK.

I did have the opportunity to meet with Tony and his wife this afternoon; great meeting both of you and look forward to getting together again.

Shawn

 

Monday work

We started backfilling the interior of the house, still need some better fill material to finish things off. The exterior stairs and the columns for the second floor roof are getting rebar and formwork going. I also had a chance to start installing the solar lights around the perimeter of the lot.

A good day and quite a bit of fun as well.

Shawn

 

Working on the stairs

Quite a bit of activity today, most important for me was getting the exterior stairs ready for concrete tomorrow...the battery died in the camera but the remaining formwork will be done in the morning, rebar and formwork looks great.

Some plumbing work for waste lines started, had a long conversation with the electrician and ended up liking the guy quite a bit and will keep him on.

Shawn

 

Just by chance is your elec. Guy Val? If so he is very good. I just heard he is working in your area. He is a head guy for Noreco 1.

 

No Sir, was not happy with the electrical but had a good conversation with our guys and will be able to make things work.

Shawn

 

Gravel delivery delayed

The crushed gravel did not show up until 1500, so the concrete for the stairs will be placed tomorrow. Needed to add one more course of 6" block to get the house a foot above final grade. The walls for the interior and exterior will start as soon as we get the next delivery of EVG panels.

Shawn

 

A few things I learned today

Had to go to Dumaguete today to pick up some additional materials; interesting to say the least but learned a few things that I did not know.

You can get/rent a Jeepney to transport materials. Cost 700 peso from Dumaguete to Tanjay, thought it was reasonable as we had quite a bit of 2, 3 and 4" PVC.

The second concrete vibrator burned up today (lost the first one on the roof slab); just because the price from China seems reasonable doesn't mean it will last more than a few uses. Now I have to go back to Dumaguete and get a vibrator that I passed on before...

If you order a ground rod, you have to tell them it should be copper clad...did not pay attention and got a galvanized one. Today was actually the first time I've physically saw one, I've driven thousands of ground rods and it did not seem like a possibility to get a galvanized on; the life is less than 1/3 the time of copper. That will have to go back, unless I can think of some reason to keep it for something else; maybe a future electric fence. Need to go get a copper one tomorrow as well.

Different manufacturers of PVC have different ideas of what trade size means, got some 2" fittings that won't work with the pipe so need to find the right ones as the store was out of stock.

Shawn