Foundations
19 February 2007Day 497 of our project...Yes that number is correct. Its been such a battle to get to this point but here we are at long last .... we are now constructing 497 days after saying ...lets build a house!
The builder has been on site this week and started clearing the trenches for the arrival of concrete tomorrow. Such a wonderful sight to behold ...how could anyone get excited about concrete pouring out the back of a truck ....when you have waited this long you can ! :o)
So a note dedicated to the lovely grey sludge! Man .. we love the concrete!!!
Concrete is a construction material that consists of cement (commonly Portland cement) as well as other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate (generally a coarse aggregate such as gravel limestone or granite, plus a fine aggregate such as sand and water) and chemical admixtures.
Concrete solidifies and hardens after mixing and placement due to a chemical process known as hydration.The water reacts with the cement, which bonds the other components together, eventually creating a stone-like material. It is used to make pavements, architectural structures, foundations, motorways/roads, overpasses, parking structures, brick/block walls and footings for gates, fences and poles.
When its in the ground ( 20 February at 11.15am ) I'll add a pretty picture...wave goodbye to mud, say hello to concrete!
Well, its concrete deliveries due throughout this coming week to get us out of the mud... So at long last its progress.... What did we do this weekend ? Not much really, but since there was sunshine on Sunday so for something to do, we rebuilt the safety goalpost that the digger driver knocked down on the first day of the site opening!
Repaired, ready for someone else to knock it down! Note the blue sky, this is a real photo taken in Scotland in February!
27 February 2008
Well what are we going to do with all that steel mesh? Bury it in lovely grey sludge - CONCRETE :o) How can concrete make you happy??? When you've had to wait 17 months to see it! The metal spikes sticking up are to tie into the upright wall and add to the strength as it will be holding back the road above! Its still wet -poured at 3pm, photographed at 5.45pm - the last bit of daylight! I resisted putting my hand and feet prints in it even though I am incredibly famous!
01 March 2008
Boys playing with toys.... earth moving with mini monster trucks...
Then the cheap labour arrives...The two Wendy's !
07 March 2008
The last of the concrete goes in to Jimmy's foundations....in torrential rain! It should have been finished yesterday (in much nicer weather) but the builder found a soft patch at the front corner of the where the steel will go ......which swallowed up an extra 4 cubic metres of concrete... (ha - Jimmy doesn't love concrete now) The building work starts next week with blocks due on Wednesday. At long last we are going up the way instead of digging a tunnel to the centre of the earth !
With 9 steps down from the back to the front of the house its not been straightforward to say the least....
Say goodbye to mud! At long last Jimmy has a solid base!!!
That said I have just spent today ( Saturday 8th ) digging more tracks to get rid of water - knee deep in clay... its horrible stuff. The site was just beginning to dry out when it suddenly poured down on Friday....
Well what are we going to do with all that steel mesh? Bury it in lovely grey sludge - CONCRETE :o) How can concrete make you happy??? When you've had to wait 17 months to see it! The metal spikes sticking up are to tie into the upright wall and add to the strength as it will be holding back the road above! Its still wet -poured at 3pm, photographed at 5.45pm - the last bit of daylight! I resisted putting my hand and feet prints in it even though I am incredibly famous!
01 March 2008
Boys playing with toys.... earth moving with mini monster trucks...
Then the cheap labour arrives...The two Wendy's !
07 March 2008
The last of the concrete goes in to Jimmy's foundations....in torrential rain! It should have been finished yesterday (in much nicer weather) but the builder found a soft patch at the front corner of the where the steel will go ......which swallowed up an extra 4 cubic metres of concrete... (ha - Jimmy doesn't love concrete now) The building work starts next week with blocks due on Wednesday. At long last we are going up the way instead of digging a tunnel to the centre of the earth !
With 9 steps down from the back to the front of the house its not been straightforward to say the least....
Say goodbye to mud! At long last Jimmy has a solid base!!!
That said I have just spent today ( Saturday 8th ) digging more tracks to get rid of water - knee deep in clay... its horrible stuff. The site was just beginning to dry out when it suddenly poured down on Friday....
13 March 2008
Water Connection is made . Two connections in one track.
Website passes 1000 hits since Nov 2007 - not bad going...thanks to all you viewers.....
Had a call from a member of the Grand Designs TV show team who might have been interested in our project but since we have started its too late for them. Threatened to stalk them just as I did with Green Day ! .... But its a no go..... so this website and Green Day's Bullet In A Bible, keep Jimmy's worldwide fame going :o).
This website will be better than the TV show anyway !!! All they are showing is Grand Designs Revisited... Rather Than Grand Designs In Scotland In The Mud !
Other amazing news is that a huge 518 days into our project we have our full building warrant ! Its incredible that without change of anything at all since the original concept, it could have taken that long.............. but now its go go go...... more concrete !
15 March 2008
More earth moving. Jimmy spends most of the the day in the "Adjuster".... a bigger digger than the last one. Its promotion ! This one has a radio and a cab to shelter from the rain !!
Water Connection is made . Two connections in one track.
Website passes 1000 hits since Nov 2007 - not bad going...thanks to all you viewers.....
Had a call from a member of the Grand Designs TV show team who might have been interested in our project but since we have started its too late for them. Threatened to stalk them just as I did with Green Day ! .... But its a no go..... so this website and Green Day's Bullet In A Bible, keep Jimmy's worldwide fame going :o).
This website will be better than the TV show anyway !!! All they are showing is Grand Designs Revisited... Rather Than Grand Designs In Scotland In The Mud !
Other amazing news is that a huge 518 days into our project we have our full building warrant ! Its incredible that without change of anything at all since the original concept, it could have taken that long.............. but now its go go go...... more concrete !
15 March 2008
More earth moving. Jimmy spends most of the the day in the "Adjuster".... a bigger digger than the last one. Its promotion ! This one has a radio and a cab to shelter from the rain !!
16 March 2008
A day spent on site clearing up bits and pieces with Ian ( my co-builder and Dave - technical support and substitute digger driver)... In the evening Jimmy has a look at a stats report from the website and finds.... we have viewers from the following countries - these are in order of number of hits.........don't worry I can't tell who you are, only where you are from!
In order then....
UK - Scotland and some other hangers on........England,Ireland,Wales
Lots of dot com addresses ( you should be working instead of surfing!!!! )
Lots of dot net addresses ( same as above - get back to work !)
Russia -Здравствуйте!
France - Bonjour !
Austria - Grüß Gott !
Portugal - Ola !
Australia - G'Day !
Belgium - Bonjour !
Germany - Guten Tag !
I hope that is all correct and that I haven't spoken ill of your mother !!!!! One for Xavier!
Jimmy's fame is growing !!! :o)
A day spent on site clearing up bits and pieces with Ian ( my co-builder and Dave - technical support and substitute digger driver)... In the evening Jimmy has a look at a stats report from the website and finds.... we have viewers from the following countries - these are in order of number of hits.........don't worry I can't tell who you are, only where you are from!
In order then....
UK - Scotland and some other hangers on........England,Ireland,Wales
Lots of dot com addresses ( you should be working instead of surfing!!!! )
Lots of dot net addresses ( same as above - get back to work !)
Russia -Здравствуйте!
France - Bonjour !
Austria - Grüß Gott !
Portugal - Ola !
Australia - G'Day !
Belgium - Bonjour !
Germany - Guten Tag !
I hope that is all correct and that I haven't spoken ill of your mother !!!!! One for Xavier!
Jimmy's fame is growing !!! :o)
17 March 2008
All of these pallets you see are our windows...... supplied by ADW Limited - windows are made by Rationel - This is not the full delivery - we still have 4 bi fold doors to come yet !!! Thats a lot o' glass ye ken !
These windows are for our living room and kitchen. This guy is actually eight foot tall and he can't reach the top of them ! - ho ho ho. 2.4 metre windows
18 March 2008
Wave goodbye to these blocks everyone, as they are about to form my foundations and then be buried underground forever and ever and ever :o)
Below are facing blocks to go along the South Elevation and are much prettier than the blocks above. Hide the ugly blocks!
19 March 2008
Wave goodbye to these blocks everyone, as they are about to form my foundations and then be buried underground forever and ever and ever :o)
Below are facing blocks to go along the South Elevation and are much prettier than the blocks above. Hide the ugly blocks!
19 March 2008
DAY 526 ...... WE ARE BUILDING !!! WOOOO HHOOOOO
Jimmy and Emma (2nd Born) add their permanent marks to the wet concrete. Been resisting it but no more !!!
Jimmy and Emma (2nd Born) add their permanent marks to the wet concrete. Been resisting it but no more !!!
22 March 08
This might slow us down a bit....its bad....snow is bad...weather is bad...Jimmy is sad :o(
01 April 2008
The snow has gone and normal service has resumed. A bit of rain over the last few days but things are progressing.....
An important day today... A site meeting this evening between us, the architect, the builder and SIP's Industries. We are trying to make sure that all the important elements come together as planned so that in a few weeks time the superstructure goes up as quickly and as smoothly as possible...so watch this space.....It seems to have taken forever to get to this point but its all going to happen very quickly now! I have a short break to Austria coming up to celebrate my 40th Birthday with family and friends....then it all kicks off on my return!
05 April 2008
Big Dave's on his digger! It's the first day of his holiday - Dave's coming to Austria with us and he's back to work on his digger ! Never mind Jimmy's wee toy ...real digger porn!
Off to the farm to collect it via low loader...
An hour or so later...digger arrives at the site.
Digger goes to work... off in search of buried top soil and levelling out the site to give us some space to work before the kit arrives...
This might slow us down a bit....its bad....snow is bad...weather is bad...Jimmy is sad :o(
01 April 2008
The snow has gone and normal service has resumed. A bit of rain over the last few days but things are progressing.....
An important day today... A site meeting this evening between us, the architect, the builder and SIP's Industries. We are trying to make sure that all the important elements come together as planned so that in a few weeks time the superstructure goes up as quickly and as smoothly as possible...so watch this space.....It seems to have taken forever to get to this point but its all going to happen very quickly now! I have a short break to Austria coming up to celebrate my 40th Birthday with family and friends....then it all kicks off on my return!
05 April 2008
Big Dave's on his digger! It's the first day of his holiday - Dave's coming to Austria with us and he's back to work on his digger ! Never mind Jimmy's wee toy ...real digger porn!
Off to the farm to collect it via low loader...
An hour or so later...digger arrives at the site.
Digger goes to work... off in search of buried top soil and levelling out the site to give us some space to work before the kit arrives...
dan dan ddddaaaannnn !!!!! The finished result! See 22nd March for the before pictures!
06 April 2008
Snow again! Overnight snow stops our new flat pad from drying out properly....yesterday it was 14 degrees...today it snows :o(
07 April 2008
Jimmy & Dave are on holiday so the super digger is put to use again....It's all hands to the pump...family, friends, the builder make best use of the digger !
Our build is gathering lots of interest. We have been approached by the local technical college asking if they can bring out their students for a site visit to see a SIPS house as its still very new technology in our country. We will be selling tickets and doing official tours soon.....
28 April 2008
Torrential rain put paid to our steel delivery which was due today. Rescheduled for tomorrow. Drains test was also supposed to be done but that it also delayed a day.....I am starting to realise that I can't control the weather :o( and have to accept it... but what next????. The weekend was absolutely beautiful and spent preparing the drains. Two twelve hour shifts dig, dig digging in the mud, mud, mud....oh joy........and tidying up the site. With 5" diamond tipped corer / cutter Jimmy turns his foundations into Edam cheese. The holes are for through ventilation and to fit the drains...
Job done time to relax !
29 April 2008
Steel Arrives ! ......And its all hands to the pump to repair the damage to the working surface - Women and children come to Jimmy's aid! A temporary road is being installed as the ground is too soft for the machinery to run over...an unpleasant but necessary expense :o) Oh and we passed the drains test today ... nothing too exciting but its another box ticked!
Snow again! Overnight snow stops our new flat pad from drying out properly....yesterday it was 14 degrees...today it snows :o(
07 April 2008
Jimmy & Dave are on holiday so the super digger is put to use again....It's all hands to the pump...family, friends, the builder make best use of the digger !
At long last ... it looks like a house foundation.....its only an hour or so for the digger....
14 April 2008
The Urquharts return from a week in St Gilgen Austria. It may not mean much to most of you but those that were at the Party ...well you know what its all about :o)
16 April 2008
Jimmy is back on site with his new digger after passing the training course... thanks to the Danapak Team !!!
The Urquharts return from a week in St Gilgen Austria. It may not mean much to most of you but those that were at the Party ...well you know what its all about :o)
16 April 2008
Jimmy is back on site with his new digger after passing the training course... thanks to the Danapak Team !!!
Its slightly smaller than the last one...
24 April 2008
Day 562 ! In The Big Brother House .... Sorry wrong story :o) A channel is dug into the foundations to core through the walls and fit the drains. These will be tested tomorrow by Building Control. It can then be back filled and we are almost ready for the super structure which starts next week !!! Its very exciting times. Architect did his inspection today and the man from Delmonte says yes.... so its go go go. Also we have agreement from SSE to remove the old transformer on 19th May. Another day of no power for the village.....how to make friends and influence people.....
25th April 2008
Now.... how about this for being flash? How many people can claim something like this during their build???? We had a site inspection today from the company who will erect the super structure and he arrived in an alternative type of transport.... no flash car, no 4x4, no limo........we aim to cause a stir ......arrive in style and surprise the whole village! I've been promised high level photos from the chopper of the foundations. These will be added when I get them...
Day 562 ! In The Big Brother House .... Sorry wrong story :o) A channel is dug into the foundations to core through the walls and fit the drains. These will be tested tomorrow by Building Control. It can then be back filled and we are almost ready for the super structure which starts next week !!! Its very exciting times. Architect did his inspection today and the man from Delmonte says yes.... so its go go go. Also we have agreement from SSE to remove the old transformer on 19th May. Another day of no power for the village.....how to make friends and influence people.....
25th April 2008
Now.... how about this for being flash? How many people can claim something like this during their build???? We had a site inspection today from the company who will erect the super structure and he arrived in an alternative type of transport.... no flash car, no 4x4, no limo........we aim to cause a stir ......arrive in style and surprise the whole village! I've been promised high level photos from the chopper of the foundations. These will be added when I get them...
Our build is gathering lots of interest. We have been approached by the local technical college asking if they can bring out their students for a site visit to see a SIPS house as its still very new technology in our country. We will be selling tickets and doing official tours soon.....
28 April 2008
Torrential rain put paid to our steel delivery which was due today. Rescheduled for tomorrow. Drains test was also supposed to be done but that it also delayed a day.....I am starting to realise that I can't control the weather :o( and have to accept it... but what next????. The weekend was absolutely beautiful and spent preparing the drains. Two twelve hour shifts dig, dig digging in the mud, mud, mud....oh joy........and tidying up the site. With 5" diamond tipped corer / cutter Jimmy turns his foundations into Edam cheese. The holes are for through ventilation and to fit the drains...
Job done time to relax !
29 April 2008
Steel Arrives ! ......And its all hands to the pump to repair the damage to the working surface - Women and children come to Jimmy's aid! A temporary road is being installed as the ground is too soft for the machinery to run over...an unpleasant but necessary expense :o) Oh and we passed the drains test today ... nothing too exciting but its another box ticked!