Deck Ape's Big Gringo House

[Deck Ape]

Been browsing the site for six months now. I especially enjoy the construction threads, so since I'm currently constructing, I thought "HERE'S MY CHANCE"!!!

[Deck Ape]

Anyways... The idea for our new house started to gel about three years ago. We are currently living in Tilac's grandmother's house which I "bought" 6 years ago for 40,000 baht. Good deal you might say? Well, yes, but there was a minor (major) termite problem. Spent 150,000 fixing it up and then went home to make some more. In the ensuing years the heat- we have a low tin roof, clearance- I'm 6'5 and have to "wai" to enter certain doorways ", and proximity to mother in law (next door) convinced me to explore other options.

We spent some time shopping for land. Not surprisingly the only reasonable plot was the one Tilac pointed out to me the first time I uttered "new house"

We bought 700 talang wa on the outskirts of our ban and commenced filling with the dirt of many trucks.



This is the low corner of our land, or "the swimming pool". I had this great idea for a French drain/ soakaway. Big gravel pit with big PVC to let some pressure off the wall Felt no need to install it las time I was home because I wasn't expecting much rain in May.

We can all guess what happened. The high water mark is still visible a good 1 meter high on the wall. The water managed to escape under the footing, taking a good 20 cu m3 of dirt with it. Have since installed soakaways (4), but they don't seem too effective with heavy clay soil.

[Deck Ape]

[Deck Ape]

Here's a look at the bottom of the wall. We used double blocks anywhere the wall will be supporting the soil we've brought in. I was assured this was "very strong". Unfortunately I think I should've put some "dead men" (concrete supports) in to strengthen it even more. But I didn't know.....

One other thing that set off alarm bells but I said nothing about is they laid the footing for the wall ON TOP of the ground instead of digging in a little bit.

[BigRed]

That's more like it, reading all the sucess stories just makes me jealous.

[tsicar]

Here's a look at the bottom of the wall. We used double blocks anywhere the wall will be supporting the soil we've brought in. I was assured this was "very strong". Unfortunately I think I should've put some "dead men" (concrete supports) in to strengthen it even more. But I didn't know.....

One other thing that set off alarm bells but I said nothing about is they laid the footing for the wall ON TOP of the ground instead of digging in a little bit.

yes, always wondered about that, too, and:
why do they build footings so narrow? back "home", the footings are sunk 600mm, laid 600mmwide, and 300mm deep. this for "normal", stable soil conditions- clay soil conditions need more specialised solutions.

[Tao]

Where about are you in Korat? (If you don't mind me asking)

[Deck Ape]

Where about are you in Korat? (If you don't mind me asking)

My big gringo residence will be near kahmthaleso road. Near sichan more specifically if you're familiar with the area.

[SomchaiDriver]

One other thing that set off alarm bells but I said nothing about is they laid the footing for the wall ON TOP of the ground instead of digging in a little bit.

When you see dumb shit like that correct it otherwise when you lean on the wall and it falls down just say "Oh Well"....

[Loy Toy]

Deck Ape I don't know how much you are paying per square metre for you labour but I have never seen anything like it.
Showed my foreman your pictures and he turned blue.
Not my postion to comment but just imagine when it rains your gonna have rising damp imediately. Better paint your walls lime green mate.
The structual strength will also be a problem especially if you have subterranean subsidence. Those walls will just drop in the centre.

I will find some pictures for you and as an example but for gods sake get a second opinion mate before they go much further.

[andy55]

i dont think it matters that the concrete footing is laid on the surface
the ground is not natural base soil anyway so it makes no difference
(as long as theres re-bar inside the concrete that is--)
a better way would be , to lay a concrete "raft" in other words , a solid slab of concrete the whole external size of the property
build wood shuttering around the outside property footprint, 6 inches high
place re-bar mesh over the whole area then pour in concrete to the top edge of the shuttering
use straight wooden tamps to level the whole pour whilst its still wet
thats what i would do anyway

[Loy Toy]

These are the footing for quite a small single storey house and for your reference.

[Loy Toy]

The next step and once we have the re-inforcing steel tied in with the main footing columns and before we poor the footings.

[SEA Traveler]

That's more like it, reading all the sucess stories just makes me jealous.

Yes but I'm sure Deck Ape is going to make it successful. I get the feeling that he is a planner and able to see things turough to a successful finish. Oh BTW, I'm saving the discussion on my problem issue with my thread construction project (the pool) untill I've worked it through so that I have to solution to offer with the irritating issue.

Khun Deck, looking forward to your construction story. Thanks for sharing.

Ciao!

[Loy Toy]

Now we compact the soil and in readiness to pour the concrete slab which overlaps the footings. Make sure your spray the soil base with a good insecticide or place a PVC pipe irrigation network covering the whole floor plan and so you can pump insecticide throughout the network of pipes and to keep the termites and ants at bay. Of course you have to drill holes in the pipes so as to distribute the insecticide which you would do annually.

[SomchaiDriver]

Now we compact the soil and in readiness to pour the concrete slab which overlaps the footings. Make sure your spray the soil base with a good insecticide or place a PVC pipe irrigation network covering the whole floor plan and so you can pump insecticide throughout the network of pipes and to keep the termites and ants at bay. Of course you have to drill holes in the pipes so as to distribute the insecticide which you would do annually.

Wow , this actually being done properly.

Except for the GODAMM supports providing for the FUCKING retarded size Thai Rooms.

[DrAndy]

Here's a look at the bottom of the wall. We used double blocks anywhere the wall will be supporting the soil we've brought in. I was assured this was "very strong". Unfortunately I think I should've put some "dead men" (concrete supports) in to strengthen it even more. But I didn't know.....

One other thing that set off alarm bells but I said nothing about is they laid the footing for the wall ON TOP of the ground instead of digging in a little bit.

I think if you did not know that, then you should get some professional advice before you start building your house

by the way, the best solution to your drainage problem, now you have built the wall, would be to knock some holes through (and insert some 6" pipe pieces) around ground level.

[RPETER65]

Now we compact the soil and in readiness to pour the concrete slab which overlaps the footings. Make sure your spray the soil base with a good insecticide or place a PVC pipe irrigation network covering the whole floor plan and so you can pump insecticide throughout the network of pipes and to keep the termites and ants at bay. Of course you have to drill holes in the pipes so as to distribute the insecticide which you would do annually.

Are the panals on the roofs of the houses in the background solar, if so for what purpose

[Thetyim]

^
I think the water tanks might be a clue

[Loy Toy]

Now we compact the soil and in readiness to pour the concrete slab which overlaps the footings. Make sure your spray the soil base with a good insecticide or place a PVC pipe irrigation network covering the whole floor plan and so you can pump insecticide throughout the network of pipes and to keep the termites and ants at bay. Of course you have to drill holes in the pipes so as to distribute the insecticide which you would do annually.

Are the on the roofs of the houses in the background solar, if so for what purpose

The solar panels that you can see for water heating only and the results are fantastic.
Have 6 people showering twice a day, laundrey and kitchen use and never run out of boiling hot water (you could almost boil an egg int it).

Done away with all of those ugly dedicated hot water units that continously break down and overload.

Never could fault these units which for a house of that size costs around 150,000.00 Baht including instalation, with all the copper piping and a back up heater (which we have never had to switch on).

Highly recommended.

[Deck Ape]

Deck Ape I don't know how much you are paying per square metre for you labour but I have never seen anything like it.
Showed my foreman your pictures and he turned blue.
Not my postion to comment but just imagine when it rains your gonna have rising damp imediately. Better paint your walls lime green mate.
The structual strength will also be a problem especially if you have subterranean subsidence. Those walls will just drop in the centre.

I will find some pictures for you and as an example but for gods sake get a second opinion mate before they go much further.

Too late, they have gone much further. These pics were a recap of the work done about 6 months ago. Not sure what subterranean sub sub..... well anyways. These walls are not part of the house structure. They are the perimeter walls around my land, about 50 meters per side.


I'm going to be here this rainy season. If I've got a drainage problem I'm confident I can fix it.

[Deck Ape]

It's your standard Thai wall. A little on the short side as it's more for keeping the critters out than anything else. Other than keeping the dirt in, of course.

If I can't get this part right my plans for the particle accelerator might need a little oversight.

[Norton]

If I can't get this part right my plans for the particle accelerator might need a little oversight.

....... Love your sense of humor. Hang in there!

[AZZZEY68]

Anymore pics

[Deck Ape]

This one's dedicated to Norman. Tried to resize it, too.

Here we are at our wan yok sow ekk. Doesn't translate very well, but then again imagine trying to explain this one to the folks back home. Tie the string around the perimeter to ward off all the bad ghosts. It appeals to me greatly.