After more than a week of grinding rooftiles...

It took us over a week to cut and grind the corners of the roof of the first pyramid room. Every tile is different to cut and to hang but we succeeded. A hard job. 

During the whole process of fixing the rooftiles we broke only three tiles. We have to order another four angle ridges because I made a small mistake with calculating the amount needed. 

We also installed already the warm white neon light under the first row of rooftiles, above the u-diches. In the evening it gives a nice view. 

Waiting now for the glass rooftop to be fixed. Soon we will start with the outside walls, connection of the main electricity line to the building, installing the septic tank and soak away field and the digging to start with the second pyramid room foundation.

Temperatures are raising quickly now. At the moment already 36 degrees C during daytime. Suffering (nearly all my life already) of varicose veins I started to wear calf support in combination with knee support. It seems to be warm, also always wearing long trousers and shirts with long sleeves and a hat, but actually it is cool, protecting against the sun and I am used to it. 

We take some more breaks, drink a lot, and work around six hours a day. It all has to be fun and we are not in a hurry. 

My daughter thinks it is ok as well because, as she said, then I do not have to find another project to stay busy ;). 

Our neighbors are more and more curious and also dog Joke (the dog from Phatsamon's mother) several times comes to visit and shows interest in the strange construction developments for and in Thailand that are going on. 

Frans Captijn
email:   pyramidhousethailand@gmail.com

Several malfunctions

Winter (end of the cold dry season here) seems to be gone. During daytime we already reach 35 degrees C (real feel nearly 40). And 'wildlife' is back again. All kind (colors and types) of ants and termites, snakes and even a scorpion. I don't really like them but it is the way it is. We are the 'intruders';). I enjoy the butterflies and birds.

Four days ago, Phatsamon discovered our 60 meters deep water well pump did not work anymore. It took me a while to discover the malfunction.

It worked out the automatic water level switch did not function any longer. Disassembling the switch, I discovered it was full of mini-ants. I removed them, cleaned the switch and protected it against a new attack (as long as it lasts). Within about one hour it was fixed again.

Yesterday, again Phatsamon discovered, the Mitsubishi waterpump of our brand new DOS waterpack did not work any longer. So, another learning experience.

This system is great and everything is wonderfully sealed. Actually, it was not possible this brand new pump was broken. All electricity, OK. No blockages in water supply or deliver possibilities. Wonderful clear water. Enough water in the tank. No air in the system. So, I was thinking of calling the factory because we have 5 years warranty on this pump and 30 years on the tank.

It took me about two hours yesterday to check the whole electric system but I could not find the malfunction. Because we have enough water storage, I decided to go on with my investigation this morning. It took me the whole morning to repair but ... I succeeded.

The only thing left was the pressure switch of the pump malfunctioning. This switch has many components and from the outside nothing wrong. I decided to dismount it. Many small parts, many screws.

Again mini-ants. I discovered it was not possible to switch on / off any longer because of the space they filled with their nests and family between the copper elements inside the switch. And no, they did not like me as an intruder in their world. Several bites caused me an allergic reaction on my arms.

Finding this malfunction was one thing. Assembling again took me three times to get the switch working right again.

One week ago, the aircon of our Kia truck did not cool any longer. Warranty, happy for that. So, after contacting the garage we had to bring the truck last Monday. Just 100 meters before we arrived, the gear stopped working and we had to switch off the engine not to get an accident. Lucky just in front of the garage.

We just picked up the truck again and everything is working well again.

Again, this needed a huge (unforeseen) repair. It worked out the aircon was working well but a special fan broke down and had to be replaced. No warranty.

Believe it or not, in the mean time we also made progress with our pyramid. Still happy going on. Gutters (u-ditches with grating) finished with inside slope and painted. Neon light tubes under the lowest row rooftiles installed, battens nearly all in position and first rooftiles situated.

Frans Captijn
email:   pyramidhousethailand@gmail.com