steel

A switch to foil tape is a winner.

Nubco is a weird world.

Steel down! Pex next.

Cladding arrives. It stinks.

more BULLSHIT

Just when we thought we were getting there.....
Our wonderful engineer insists on a strengthening trench. So up comes the styro & plastic and in goes another $%#%*ing trench. This adds 3 days and no one dares look us in the eye.
We are at our lowest ebb.

Slab prep

The formwork has held up against the wet weather. All service pipes are disappearing under 7mm and a bit of FCR. I have decided on a straight edge for my turn down.
The lousy slab plan I commissioned totally ignored my specific requests, - 30mm insulation and a 19mm hydronic pipe laid over the reinforcing mesh. We compensated by making everything 30mm deeper and wider. this accommodated the styro under, but not around the perimeter. I will have to install that after the formwork comes down! GRRR!
I have also increased the 110mm slab depth by 20mm by laying a pine strip around the formwork perimeter. This will allow cover for the hydronic pipe.

I have been thoroughly bullshitted by certain individuals through this project. I think it is something to do with me wanting more than their skill set can deal with. To make things worse, they won't ever admit they have fucked up, leaving problems to compound and get worse.

I suspect the slab design is also 'over specced'. I reckon the logic goes...... 'he's a bloody owner builder and bound to muck it up, so to stay on the safe side, lets make his footings TWICE the depth a regular builder would require'. 

straight edge

patented boot technique

All plastic down with 'hospital corners'

FAT SAND

Andrew Dalby is a rare fellow. He actually turned up and helped!

There are simply NO water penetration points.

'it looks like a big eski'

electric boogaloo

Allocca Electrical have laid three conduits under the path and into the slab.
The first is for electricity, the second is for 'phone & ethernet. The third is a speaking tube, - you know, like they have in submarines.

these cutters resemble birds

a work of art

new moon on the pour date

right tool for the right job

Libatore Allocca & Domenic Allocca

after the w a i t . . .

Neil & Tom - plumbers to the stars

2 months of excrutiating delays that i just don't want to talk about.

today we have progress!
plumbers Neil & Tom are on the plot and laying sewer, storm and more!

because some plumbing and cabling run under the slab, we can't move ahead until the first services are laid.

having a slab means making plumbing and other decisions now rather than later.
precisely locating all services is necessary.
toilet, and shower drain have had to be chosen and bought uncomfortably early.

shower drains are an expensive rip off. $500 + for a 1200mm long shower drain at a local plumbing supplier!


Vincent Buda to the rescue! $233 delivered.

shower drain

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Vincent-Buda-and-Company/1200mm-Shower-Drain-/_i.html?_fsub=1518097017&_sid=438754157&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322