Cupid, our crawl space snake and scorpion tracking dog

We discovered a crack in the 10 cm thick partition block-wall between the bathroom and walk-in closet next to the bedroom. Under this wall, pouring the concrete top layer for the floor, we brought in extra rebar for reinforcement. We also made reinforced concrete lintels above the doors and made a calculation for the weight of walls on the concrete prestressed hollow-core slap floor elements. 

The crack can have different causes. Expansion because of our high temperatures can be one, because of the difference of expansion coefficients of the blocks in relation to the concrete lintels. Shrinkage can be another thing. Also slight deflection of the floor can be a cause because the top (pressure) layer is not finished yet.

We wanted to make the ceilings in our bedroom, bathroom, guest toilet and storage a bit higher. For that we need to add one more layer of block masonry extra. So also a bit more weight.

To be the best as possible prepared not to get cracks in the tiles of the bathrooms and in the plasterwork, we decided to strengthen at three places and compartments under the floor the foundation of the hollow core slab floor elements where the walls are placed. 

I can tell you, not an easy job. 

It asked creativity and digging deep into my former constructional engineering "How to repair or strengthen foundations" lessons. And yes, a couple of weeks ago in the night, my mind came with a solution how to deal. 

At these places we created a 20 cm thick reinforced concrete base. Happy we have our private concrete mixer. 

On top of that, 15 cm thick and 20 cm high, load bearing Q-con G4 wall blocks to support and strengthen the hollow core slab floor elements. 

To get pressure on the foundation we cut the the top blocks in a wedge. With a heavy rubber hammer we put them, in special block glue, in place. In between the top blocks and the floor elements a tar-foil against possible moisture to 'climb' into the floor. Actually as we did all around before placing the floor elements. 

Working in the crawl space is not really my thing. Happy we installed water proof electricity and lights before and we created a work height of around 70 cm. We also put some ventilation in and still, before entering to work, mechanically ventilated extra to be sure for enough oxygen to work safe (my fire-brigade experience). 

I working in the crawl space, Phatsamon, directly at the entrance outside, stand-by and in contact.

Opening the entrance of this space after about a year showed the construction in good order. The tar coating on the back side of the foundation blocks is doing a great job as well as the drains we installed to get rid of possible water during the rainy season. 

My son warned me against snakes and scorpions in that space because for them it's a very nice place to stay. So we needed to check first. 

Opening the entrance nearly immediately our (hunter dog) Cupid jumped under the floor and walked all around the different compartments to check for me if it was safe to work. Not a single animal (only Cupid) to find. 

During my work she also joined me the whole time. 

Phatsamon, this morning, first helped her sister and brother in law with turning the rice to dry on our new road. After her activities we finished the foundation job.

Time to go on 'upstairs' again. Put an extra layer of blocks for the inside walls, repair the crack, and go on with preparing for tiling and plastering. Happy we managed to finish this job this morning. 

Phatsamon early in the morning helping to dry the rice on
the new concrete road before doing construction work. 

    

Frans & Phatsamon

email:   pyramidhousethailand@gmail.com

Start of finishing work

Although we think we have at least more than a year work to do to complete the main house we are now in the stage of "finishing work". 

We made the decision to prepare the inside of the house first so, if the workers are available (after the rice harvesting), they can start plastering around end of November this year. We found people in the village who have experience in plastering (we also checked some of their work) and they are willing to do that for us. 

As I learned from my mom, we will be a good host to them. 

Why not do the plastering myself? 

First of all I do not like plastering. On the other hand I think it's not a good idea after two serious warnings of my body (herniated disc and sciatica) this can be too much/too heavy for me.

So, Phatsamon and I decided already nearly a year ago to hire workers for inside plastering and (a company) to finish the ground floor. 

We also made another decision. To focus on finishing the inside of the house as far as possible so we can start to live in it. The finishing touch for the outside can be done after that. I think this idea/option was a great thought of Phatsamon. 

Also regular maintenance starts to take time now. 

Unexpected one of our street lanterns in the garden stopped working after a cow entered our property in the night. We really did not know why. It took a while to find the cause and to fix it but we managed and everything is working again. Actually, although our CCTV camera showed, It had nothing to do with that cow. 

Focusing on finishing the inside does not say you can keep your eyes shut for things that need to be done (in the near future) on the outside. 

So we needed to install several electricity outlets in the outside walls and had to make the anchors for the sunscreens to be installed. 

After the sever storms this spring I wanted to make the connection for them even stronger so made anchors trough the walls at around every meter to fix the steel structure of the sunscreens. We will also install, every two meters, a pole (steel with concrete foot) to make the construction even stronger against storms. Off course no guarantee but still better prepared (at least in my mind). 

All the electricity outlets, pipes and most of the wires, in the house are in. A very dusty job, milling pipes and grinding the spaces for the outlets and switches. After cutting the holes for pipes and outlets with a Kango and bringing the electricity pipes and steel bases for the outlets in, we filled up with special plaster to get a flat wall again. Ready for further plastering or tiling. 

Tiles for the kitchen arrived and all the preparations for the kitchen walls are made. 

We installed the bathroom door with temporary red/white protective tape and changed the direction of the prepared installed deadbolt lock (by the way a hard job to find out how to do). A special foil will be added to the glass as decoration. Also the frame and cabinet doors of the meditation/yoga room storage, to build, at the first floor, are fixed.  

We have to spend more time with our animal family (five dogs and four cats) now. Happy again not to have a schedule, so, no rush to finish. 

In the mean time our rice field is ready to be harvested somewhere this week.  

Cupid checking the clarity of the glass of the
bathroom-door before the foil will be added. 

After their morning walk with the pack and having breakfast,
Baijka and Taffy are waiting for their regular quality check/taste
of all the construction-materials before use in the house. 

Frans & Phatsamon

email:   pyramidhousethailand@gmail.com