Tag Archives: labourer

Mudgee – Follow the Build Part 3

PIERS SETOUT

Mudgee Build Part 3

Here is another update on my project – Follow the Build Part 3.

You would have read in Follow the Build Part 2 which is all about excavation.

Now that we have a good level site I’m getting into the set. It’s so important to come up out of the ground correctly. The rest of the house obviously depends on a correct set-out. String lines, timber pegs, lump hammer, tape measure and of course the plans.

Mudgee Part 3

To get the site level we used a couple of machines (Bobcat, Tractor) and recycled concrete blocks. These blocks are fantastic. Any concrete left in the trucks coming back to the yards has to be disposed of, so they build formwork for these blocks, pour the excess in and sell them for about $40. They weigh a bit over a tonne and make great retaining walls as you can see.

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As the site is all reactive material, as in clay, there is a lot of movement in the ground due to moisture. Lots of rain the clay swells and drought conditions means it shrinks. This will give your house movement and in turn cracks in your plaster, cornice, even brick work but mostly in the joints.

Screw Piers

So I’m use to a terrific system called screw piers. Basically they’re a steel shaft with a drill bit attached to the end and they are screwed in until they hit stable ground. They are then cut to the right height using a laser level, then bolt on an ant cap and you’re ready for your bearer.

A test drill is done to find stable ground so the excavator knows how deep to go. In my case about 2 ½ mtrs – 3 mtrs. So really my house is actually resting 3 mtrs below ground and when she’s finished I’ll have no movement no matter what the conditions.

Keep following the build and let me know your thoughts via my Scotty Cam Facebook Page.

Won’t be long till the next update so stay tuned for part 4.

 

Related: Follow the Mudgee build

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Mudgee – Follow the Build Part 4

FLOOR FRAME I'm back with another instalment of Mudgee - Follow the Build Part 4. You would have read in Follow the Build Part 3 piers setout. Whilst we're building the new house here at Mudgee, you would have seen the progress of my new b ... [read more]

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Mudgee – Follow the Build Part 2

EXCAVATION Here is another update on my project – Follow the Build Part 2. You would have read in my last post Follow the Build Part 1 where it's all about demolishing my old house.  Now that the demo is complete it’s time for excavat ... [read more]

Mudgee – Follow the Build Part 2

EXCAVATION

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Here is another update on my project – Follow the Build Part 2.

You would have read in my last post Follow the Build Part 1 where it’s all about demolishing my old house.  Now that the demo is complete it’s time for excavation. You’ll notice a deck at one end of the site with the world’s biggest open fire barbie. I built the deck and barbie about seven years ago. We have tremendous memories of times around that fire cooking meals with friends and kids, lots of photos and lots of fun.

We’ve watched the kids grow up around that fire and I figured I should keep it and incorporate it into the new build. That way when my kids are 40 odd they’ve at least got something of the house they grew up in and can tell some stories (with photos) to their kids.

The barbie used up 600 bricks and has an 18mm hotplate that’s six feet by four feet – she’ll do about 30 T-bones or 20 pancakes or a dozen bacon and eggs at once. Out of all my barbies this one is my pride and joy. I laid the 600 bricks in a day with a labourer – mind you it was a long day and I was a bit younger, that’s why I had to keep it… sentimental value.

It’s going to be tough building around the deck but I’m changing the roof and handrails but keeping the guts of it and, of course, the fire.

Now it’s time for excavation; we’re going to do a bit of cut and fill and levelling up of the site ready for the set out for the piers.

To retain the higher ground I used the recycled concrete blocks I was previously talking about. I put them in with the Bobcat, laid on some level crusher dust, and the blocks make the perfect retaining wall. Once we’ve got the rest of the blocks in I’ll be ready to set out for the piers. Here’s a few photos and the plans for the job are coming soon.

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IMG_5153-625Keep following the build and let me know your thoughts via my Scotty Cam Facebook Page. 

Won’t be long till the next update so stay tuned for part 3.

 

Related: Follow the Mudgee build

Mudgee Build Part 3

Mudgee – Follow the Build Part 3

PIERS SETOUT Here is another update on my project – Follow the Build Part 3. You would have read in Follow the Build Part 2 which is all about excavation. Now that we have a good level site I’m getting into the set. It’s so importa ... [read more]

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Mudgee – Follow the Build Part 1

DEMOLISHING MY OLD HOUSE The old house before it was demolished First thing I need to get done is to demolish the old house. There’s a lot of memories for me with the kids and friends in there, so it’s a bit sad. Having said that, the ... [read more]

Mudgee – Follow the Build Part 1

DEMOLISHING MY OLD HOUSE

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The old house before it was demolished

First thing I need to get done is to demolish the old house. There’s a lot of memories for me with the kids and friends in there, so it’s a bit sad. Having said that, the point is there’s asbestos both inside and on the outside of the old house, and I want my grandkids to enjoy this place in the future, so I have to make the move and get things ready for the next generation. The timber structure of the floor frame, stud walls and roof frame also has some pretty serious termite damage, so it’s time for it all to go.

Now considering we’re dealing with asbestos and a significant amount of it, I always advise other people to bring in the experts, and I’m no different in this case. You’ll end up with a clean, asbestos-free area, a guarantee of a healthy area with certification and, of course, peace of mind for the kids.

I organised a mob from nearby Bathurst to do the asbestos removal, and they did a ripper of a job. Very thorough, professional and good blokes at the same time. They were Phil Hewitt and his team from TPEC Demolition and Asbestos Removal.

The asbestos has to be removed in sheets with as little breakage as possible, so it’s a tough job. The sheets are put into skip bins or trucks lined with plastic and these are tipped at a registered waste station, in this case, at Mudgee Tip. Once all the asbestos is removed and the roof is off, we’re left with a timber frame, and here’s where it gets tricky.

All the timber has to be vacuumed to remove any asbestos residue, then dismantled by hand, stacked and tipped the same way. The site is totally cleaned then an air test is performed over the next week to check for any asbestos particles. When the all-clear is given, a certificate is issued and you’re all good. You can see why it’s the go to get the professionals in.

Over the coming weeks I’ll start the excavation. I’ve got an old Bobcat that I’ve had for years and I’ll be bringing a mate in with another to give me a hand. Once the excavation is complete, you’re going to love the new retaining wall. I’m going to build it out of concrete blocks 600mm x 600mm x 1000mm. They weigh about a tonne each and are made from left-over concrete that comes back into the concrete yard. This is poured into formwork to make the blocks and the great thing is that they are about $40 each – nice and cheap.

Stage 1 of the build was the demolition. Here’s a few photos of that – and stay tuned for Stage 2. I’ll put up some photos of the retaining wall once it’s up and I’ll also be popping the plans on the website for you to have a look at and follow.

Keep following the build and let me know your thoughts via my Scotty Cam Facebook Page. 

Won’t be long till the next update so stay tuned for part 2.

 

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Related: Follow the Mudgee build

IMG_5151-625

Mudgee – Follow the Build Part 2

EXCAVATION Here is another update on my project – Follow the Build Part 2. You would have read in my last post Follow the Build Part 1 where it's all about demolishing my old house.  Now that the demo is complete it’s time for excavat ... [read more]

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Mudgee Build

The old shack on my Mudgee bush block has had it, so I’ve knocked it down and built a new place from scratch. It’s a great DIY project, and I’d like you guys to roll out your swags and follow the progress at my ‘Mudgee Build’ blog. I’v ... [read more]