The persons on the last image are not from the working crew but spectators from the village. I guess it’s exciting with new activity around the village.
The persons on the last image are not from the working crew but spectators from the village. I guess it’s exciting with new activity around the village.
Nothing much happened on the lot yesterday. Several of the crew went back home to take part in the preparation of mothers day and the queen’s birthday the 12 of August. From what I have been told most of the gang will be back by Monday.
Some of the workers have stayed on the site and continued with the iron fixing.
The reinforcing iron is stitched together.
It is hard labour to fit in the ribbed bar.
The result so far looks ok to me. I’ll think we will have a strong foundation.
What the heck I’ll try Nawtys advise straight away. The largest side is 800 pixels.
But I’m not telling where the shot is taken. You can figure it out. An easy quiz perhaps, somewhere in Thailand. Suggestion?
Think it is the Mae Klang waterfall on the way out to Doi Inthanon
DD (Dirty Dog) is the owner of this forum/website.Originally Posted by Panthip
Your spot on Propagator, I reckon it was rather easy.
Thanks for the info JoGeAr, and I guess DD is a Briton?
Unfortunately the progress has been slow lately due to several days with rain. When it’s raining no work is done. Then the crew is sitting in their shed waiting and playing cards I assume.
The material for covering boards has arrived at the site. Now it looks like a rallying ground for gypsies.
The boards are cleaned and made ready for use. (Who gave the photographer Lao Kao?) This is slightly out of focus. It makes me dizzy.
I never stop wondering why people dare smoke. They must be very brave, playing with their health and life in that way. Anyhow I think those trousers are a bit special to say mildly. I would never dare wearing them. Perhaps he nicked them from his wife?
The iron knit work starts to take shape.
They have managed to do some work between the rain showers and more ribbed bar are woven into the reinforcement.
Here is a view from what will be the back side of the house.
I suppose it was a bit cold today since one person has put on Balaklava and socks. Probably down to 28o C. Our good neighbor Kwai nung toa (Buffalo) also popped in for a look but I’m afraid he’ll only give a shit (kii) on the building lot.
Pillars and lengthwise and crosswise reinforcements are tied together,
and supervised.
Then the formwork boards are carried into the site.
The boards are positioned on site,
but not without some discussions.
The weather forecast is good for the next three days. I hope it is right so the work can continue uninterrupted.
I attach some photos showing the last preparations before casting of the footing foundations.
The outline of the house is taking shape. After filling the cement, there will be a stop of work for 3 days, allowing the concrete to cure.
This shot is taken from the front area.
There are still some adjustments to carry out.
A small forest of re-bar pillars have popped up.
The cast forms are being reinforced
I hope you are not too bored with all the foundation pics, but
that's where we are now.
Hopefully it will become more interesting when the work proceeds. I have asked my wife again and again concerning the electrical work. That we should have a concealed construction and that pulling pipes for the cables are essential. I really hope we can get that trough to the builder.
There is another part that’s worries me and that is the piping and plumbing. It looks like the Thais are putting this in AFTERT the house is built. It seems like they just dig their way through the floor and foundation.
Any comments?
good stuff pantip keep it coming, pics are a bit rough though, anyone any ideas?
Most of the plumbing feeds need to be put into the walls, you haven't got any walls yet, they will probably just chuck in one feed to each bathroom, one waste from each and one toilet waste from each before the floor concrete goes down, but the majority of your plumbing pipes will be put in when the building is nearing completition.Originally Posted by Panthip
Hi. Building a house here seems easy but as you have probally heard the knowledge of the builders often is not on the same level as your own country.
A site I've found very informative is : (I was'nt allowed to post it) .Check it out. Non -commercial just helping fellow expats.....As an licensed electrical contractor from California for 20 years and 2 Bkk projects (Q Bar/Bed Supper Club) lighting design, I have some experience in electrical and will offer some sugestions if you like.
I also have a Thai company here that does specific electrical projects: surge protection, grounding, lightning protection, access control, video/audio intercoms, etc. I hope I don't come off as a self promoter as this is a friendly chat sight, so I won't give any of my info..but feel free to ask questions.
80 % of the resedential electrical panels in LOS are not grounded properly..don't be one of them!
Peter
I guess I'll have to post 20 x before I can reply to you they did not allow it!
Panthip
In Thailand most Thai electricians use surface mounted cable (we call it romex in usa) called VAF. That is only 2 conductor w/o a ground. You need VAF/GRD for that 3rd wire. Most people do not ground lighting circuits unless outdoors.
VAF is not waterproof contrary to what you see everywhere. You must use another type or conduit.
Good electricians use the yellow pvc pipe (conduit) and use THW single core wire x 3 (white/black/green).
You are building in the rainy season. A short story:
10 years ago my friend Ray (a well known Holywood gaffer) built a house in the jungle of Costa Rica on a mountain overlooking the Pacific. He built in the rainy season and of course the yellow pipes for the electric filled up with water.
The locals not unlike our own did'nt worry as "the heat would dry it out".
A year later he told me saying all his electronics fried after a lightning strike and the lights were dimming on and off on there own. As well when he drove over the driveway in the rain there were sparks in the dirt.
At considerable expense he flew me down there to repair the conditions.
When I pulled out the wire in the entire house , all of it was rusted,wet and had arc-ed thru the insulation. I had to pumpout the water w/ compressed air and drag small rags thru to clean it, then repull the new wire w/ a ground this time!
I installed a whole panel surge protector, lightning rod and put the main feeders underground in conduit as they were not direct burial type wire.
The local monkeys would stealmy tools and run up to the trees and wave them at me! When I opened the main panel a giant lizard jumped out, the wall boxes wer filled with scorpions and thousand of fire ants.......really unforgetable and profitable!
So get some good advice!
Panthip
I hope I'm not boring you with this free advice but I need 20 posts to answer anyone.
You must consider what your electrical usage will be. Thais use different size meters that limit how much current you can use . The most common is 15(45).
That is sufficent for most homes. However if you (a farang) aree living in it your usuage will be much higher possibly. You need to do a load schedule.
List all the appliances, lights,pumps, water heaters, power tools, air conditioners, etc. you may ever use. Look at the amperge or wattage on each of them or comparable wants at your local supplier. Add it all up and discuss w/ a professional.
Panthip
To avoid unsightly blue wires going to you home I recomend using buried conduit
from the meter to your main panel . You've seen this pipe everywhere..it's bleck w/ orange linear stripes. Size it according to you power needs. Do a straight run as each buried j box or glued bend is a potential leak. Install a 2nd for the telephone . Dont use the yellow pvc!
Well I have changed my profile so I can now receive emails and show my own website.....yes I know..self promotion!
I give alot of free advise.
Dear Panthip,after a carefull look at the plans,i can see you have 6 small rooms
(3,5x3.5=11.25 sq.m) and 2 "bigs"ones (6x3.5m=21 sq.m)including walls.I don't
read Thai but i see no kitchen ,no direct door betwen cook-dine areas either.
plenty banging door if you wont some cross breeze.good luck anyhow.
paul
Kuhn Panthira,
I really appreciate your comments and advice. I have picked up your web address in case I need your assistance.
My plan now is to find out how the builder will run the wiring, what sort of lightening protection and grounding he will apply. The cable size to the consumers likes the cooker, washing machine, dishwasher AC and so on.
To my consolation this builder has 3 different companies builder several places in Thailand. He has also constructed several “farang” houses and my hope is that he has picked up an advice or two over the years.
Bu t I need to know what’s on his mind. It’s difficult when the construction lot is in Korat and we are here in Norway. I’m not too sure about his ability to speak English either. Seem like a tall wall this but hopefully it’s not.
The odds are he will sub out the electrics to some electricians, lighting cable is 1.5, mains 2.5, heavy stuff like electric cookers and good hot water heaters 4mm.
Khune Phone
Thanks for taking part in the tread.
Yes you are right there are many doors. So far I haven’t worried. I thought it could be a benefit concerning the AC, so the cooled air doesn’t drift away.
Kun Sunsetter
Unfortunately there isn’t much I can do with the quality of the images. They are sent me by e-mail and I try to sort out the best ones. Sometimes you have to choose a gruffly one or no pics at all. That’s just the way it is when you are far away from the site.
I try to inform you the best I can
Khun Panthip,
Experienced same with my house about the receipt of pictures. Except for the ground breaking in January and the 6 weeks of construction pictures I took in March-April time frame, I was dependent on the contractor and friends to take pictures and forward to me. Fortunately the friends used a digital camera and I had some good shots. The contractor Khun used the phone camera and these were a little grainny and of less quality but, as you say, being away from the site we all do what we can do. The fact that you are posting updates is enough. Keep up the good work and happy construction.
Ciao!
"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff....and it is all small stuff"
To Panthip.yes that sound logical+the little porch for BBQ!
To Maily it's ok for me to look at your plans,but why don't you put them on T.Door so every body can give his comentary(s?)as i understood,many members did build all kinds of houses a little everywhere;i did not read all forums yet and me wifi coverage is poor but once i hook T.D it stay on;maybe D.D has a gate with Bill.
pone for paul.[at]St Martin ,carebean sea ,for some more times
P.S.I still dont know what are all those little graph on the bottom of
the post &how to use them(Td & e-new member)
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