erico2k2:

Howmany vertical beams does this build have?

I believe its 22(dats if what u mean by beams are those 16mm irons)

kenazuu:

All we need is the tools and thinking outside the box. Naturally, I prefer Nigerian made iron door(durability) unlike the imported doors that fade out colours with time and the hinge having problem
. saw some beautiful irons at Challenge area in Ibadan. I will take permission from the maker so I can take pics and post here.

Finishing is the problem with our Nigerian made doors either wooden or iron/steel.
If we can perfect the finishings, then we should be good.

Hajji M.

ajibsca:
I can relate to some peoples opinion of our markets being flooded with inferior Chinese tiles. People have different tastes and I for one person usually go for the best . There is this place I know at Ilupeju by Pass. I bought from him some nice spanish tiles and he has quite a number of nice stuffs . www.wallandfloorcentre.com is their website.

I just spoke with the fella that runs this place after going through the website which had some interesting stuff. Will visit soon and give you guys an alternate viewpoint to Orile/Coker. It does appear it will be that way.

abbeycial:


thanks for your response bro, is any other thing i need to do to fortify the foundation?lots of walls craking is common in the area.
A summarised giude would be appreciated (abeg in lay man's language,some of this terms sounds strange to me)

thanks

Beam in german floor or before it, chain lintel, roof beam. 3 stages of beam required, it will remove future cracking.

n3xt:


You just explained all we did at my chateau.

Did you notice my compound floor was done with stone dust, rice granite and cement? It makes it pervious which is very good in flood zone.

I'll even do more. Build a ground water tank and use it as a fish pond to monitor flood level. If water rises above it, then it means red herring.



Brabus

So why didn't you articulate it since if indeed you took that route in your chateau...and this man (QC1) has been crying out to you since. Not fair!

44chux:


Location is Warri...
Many NL engineers are afraid of Warri...
Finally, Am time constrained. Hoping to get offers here today.

Who would you recommend?

sir, seriously speaking i can take up your the offer if you will be willing, i will make it plain, it can be contracted in two way whatever you preferred. 1, you bring all d materials yourself and we contract on the rest of d job if you hav the time to do dat yourself givin you hte chance to properly keep an up-to-date record of your spendings. 2 the whole can be contracted " if" you would not like to go through al d stress.but know for facts materials price differ from region to region, so is d different in labour fr place to place. I will go through d copy you post sir.hopefully waiting to hear from you 08095693219 thanks

Onuokwu:


So why didn't you articulate it since if indeed you took that route in your chateau...and this man (QC1) has been crying out to you since. Not fair!

Sir Onokwu, is this what you mean by articulate?


My post in December 2013 during construction:

Site challenges

"A teaspoon of prevention is worth a gallon of cure" certainly applies to new homeowners - at least in avoiding water problems. Buyers of new or older homes should be cautious about drainage. The best time to sign a contract is on a rainy day!

On my first visit to the site, I observed a lot of challenges that sets stringent constraints for the new build, most of which are physical.

1. Steep Slope - The first news I broke to my client on the site was a major blow. "Bros, na raft o". The hillier the plot, the more money that the build will consume. And all of the money that we're talking about here will be "invisible" money. Money to do the earthwork needed to create a flat enough and stable enough spot to build on, money to route away water from the house, money to make the foundation structurally substantial for the build.

2. Cracks and Subsidence - During the preliminary assessment of the site, I also observed the evidence of subsidence and cracks, poor soil stability and evidence of flooding. I also took time to have conversations with the residents to find a lot of background information that help form a picture of what we are up against.

3. Rainwater Run-off - The site is steeply slope and it was evident from the my assessment that storm water run-off both above the surface will create a major constraint on the building.

4. Accessibility

https://www.nairaland.com/1338637/chateau-ile-oluji-construction-journal/43#20504485

Sir Onokwu,

Could this be what you mean by articulate?


Another post in December 2013:

Protecting the Foundation - What we did differently and other things we planned to do?

Standing water ponding around your foundation can cause frustrating problems for you. Yes, you! I've had to fix this issue for two different Nairaland clients (client 1 - collapsed fence, client 2 - rising damp). These problems can be both immediate and long term. If it is immediate while the construction work is at substructure stage, you're lucky. For example, standing water are sources of high humidity, which can produce surface condensation, mildew and fungi, musty odors, and an unhealthful environment. Such moisture can cause deterioration of beams, flooring, insulation, and electrical-mechanical systems. Prolonged water around the foundation wall can soften the soil and weaken its bearing capacity, increasing the possibility of wall settlement and cracking. It's far worse when the water is on a side of the building as it can cause differential settlement.

Keep the water far away from the foundation!!!

How?

Deal with all possible source of surface water and ensure they are adequately drained away from the foundation wall. Sources of this water include the following:

1. Roof without gutter
2. Roof with a leaking gutter or gutter overflow because of clogging from leaves and other dirts.
3. Roof with clogged downspouts or drain outlet.
4. Excessive watering of flower beds around the foundation wall as if flower growth depends on the amount of water.
5. Rainwater runoff from the driveway/walkaways if the landscaping forces water to drain toward the house instead of away.
6. Groundwater may be intercepted or dammed up by the foundation wall. (One of the problem in Sir Qc-1's site. The existing foundation has dammed up so much water thus turning the land into a pool)
7. Houses built downslope.
8. Improperly installed, clogged or collapsed drainages
9. And many more.

https://www.nairaland.com/1338637/chateau-ile-oluji-construction-journal/43#20505137

@ Sir Onokwu,

Or this?

Another post in December 2013 with picture to illustrate.

^^^ Thank you!

Now, let's talk real problem. The pix below illustrate a major challenge on my site that I'm currently working on. It's no joke and we need to do the needful now unless we want to build another leaning Tower of Pisa.

https://www.nairaland.com/1338637/chateau-ile-oluji-construction-journal/44#20528892

Sir Onokwu,

Another post December 2013

My Fix 1

One of the main problem with this plot is the slope. The land slopes toward the house and surface water ponds near the foundation wall. I intend to construct a V-ditch around the house (especially on the sloping side) to allow surface drainage from both the foundation wall and the other yard areas to a storm drain further downhill.

This fix applies to plots where the front street is higher than the land/foundation or when the house is built on the side of a hill.

https://www.nairaland.com/1338637/chateau-ile-oluji-construction-journal/44#20549367

@ Onokwu,

Could this mean articulate well enough?

Suggestion from Gbadexy in January 2014

brabus
For added prevention against rising damp and efflorescence, you can densify the foundation with Crown primer.
Basically a modified waterglass to harden and densify the concrete against water absorbtion

https://www.nairaland.com/1338637/chateau-ile-oluji-construction-journal/46#20719799

@ Onokwu,

July 2014 suggestion by Brabus

Thanks for the updates Sir QC1. I'm happy when I deal with honest and innocent clients. I'm so sure back then there are so many things you don't know and you aren't aware of but those are things of the past.
Many times we (builders) always look past the challenges to the end result which is the most important thing. That's the reason I'm never bothered about other people's opinion especially when I knew I'm doing the right things after all Millionaires are lured into a victim mindset. Steve Jobs was fired from Apple and later rose to become the CEO of the most valuable company in the whole world.

I'm so happy to see the fence standing now and I hope you'll believe me any time I take stand on my budgets. I once said it that if I throw down a business for whatever reason, the client will either pay more to get the same quality or settle for less.

Recommendation: Please endeavour to backfill the fence cos of lateral pressure of the filling sand so that it doesn't heave. Good job all the way!

As for the roof, we will be ready when you are ready. The ministry has expanded with more disciples and followers

https://www.nairaland.com/1338637/chateau-ile-oluji-construction-journal/47#24961512

abdulwastecx:


That is a very import and fatherly advice from Mr lastpage, one o dB the reason why this forum is great. .. we learn a lot from out mistake to be better people. I love this message and I wish we could all borrow on or two things from this. This post is not only directed at Mr brabus but all the builders here on property section.

Thank you for your maturity sir

Not for Builders only but also for us confirm trouble maker in property section.

Jummymine:
Good morning everyone! I just want to thank everyone that recommended dominionng for me. They finally finished my pop last week. It was so beautiful and perfect.There was no single.complaint.i will post the pics as soon as we finish installing the electrical fittings that will bring out more beauty of the pop. Thank you very much.

We appreciate the opportunity Ma'am, and thanks for your hospitality.

Best regards..

Dominion.

abdulwastecx:


That is a very import and fatherly advice from Mr lastpage, one o dB the reason why this forum is great. .. we learn a lot from out mistake to be better people. I love this message and I wish we could all borrow on or two things from this. This post is not only directed at Mr brabus but all the builders here on property section.

Thank you for your maturity sir

Thank you for your kind words Sir,

We all strive to be a better person.



Lastpage!

EgunMogaji:


So I plan to use fire resistant drywall on the roof directly to the roof noggin
.

Is this enough to shield your roof from fire? AFFIRMATIVE!

n3xt:

Thanks "King of Painters".

I will agree with you on this Sir. Gbadexy has done a very marvelous work for me and others that I have recommended to him.

Hajji M.

Dominionng:


Is this enough to shield your roof from fire? AFFIRMATIVE!

I just need something to give me a few minutes of fighting chance.

There's going to be an over the range water source plus fire extinguishers.

I don't play with my fire extinguishers. I have them in every place where open flames or accelerants are kept.

Again Brabus, please remind me never to play poker with you Sir

@egunmojagi i was busy today , thanks for asking . i was busy with the president i want further devaluation of naira .

Water pressure. Water pressure. Water pressure.

I've yet to have a nice shower in my many visits to Nigeria. Whether with family or at a hotel, the water pressure is low.

What is the solution? What can be done to increase the water pressure if you're building a new house?

mufutau55:


I will agree with you on this Sir. Gbadexy has done a very marvelous work for me and others that I have recommended to him.

Hajji M.

I'm overwhelmed by the kind words and confidence reposed in me by nairaland legends.
I will continue to strive to render the best possible services to justify the endorsements.
I'm grateful sir.

msogunro:
Water pressure. Water pressure. Water pressure.

I've yet to have a nice shower in my many visits to Nigeria. Whether with family or at a hotel, the water pressure is low.

What is the solution? What can be done to increase the water pressure if you're building a new house?

- install a pressure tank and pump
- raise your tank to be 40ft or more above the shower (half joking, but...)
- use fatter pipes from the tank then join to a thinner pipe near the shower

Personally I like the lower pressure (and lower flow rates), since we have a well (not a borehole) and need to conserve water

@Brabus,

Honestly, you fall hand small for this project of QC1!.... because you are the "professional here.
I know knowledge is not as much as we have today, back then ....but l cant make such excuse

Do you know why l said so?

I have not followed the thread of this project, so l never knew the history of the build until you posted those links in your last posts.

So, l went to check whether it was really true that you made all this "observations and recommendations" from the onset.
You know some people can lie, ehn?

Well, it is true you made those observations, so you are not lying ....... but


But you know what?
I did not see ANYWHERE in that thread, where you ADVICED QC1 that he needed to:

1.) Do a Soil test to confirm the type of foundation required

2.) You both just assumed that a 4-board raft should be adequate.


But where l fault you more is that looking at the pictures you posted, more so when you said you started work in that site in the middle of a DRY SEASON.... it should have occurred to you that NOTHING SHORT OF A PILE, WITH A FLOATING RAFT, WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THAT PLACE.

*The Pile is to ensure that the weight of the building rests on a firm sub-soil such that it will not sink .......noticeably.
*The Floating raft (which will be on-top of the Pile-heads, will ensure that run-off water can pass underneath (like a bridge) without affecting the walls of the building..... even if they divert third mainland bridge water to the side of your building.

But then, l know you are not an Architect or a Structural Engineer and you did not design the building.
One Structural Engineer must have specified the type of foundation given to the builder, to implement.... so, l can heap all the blame on you

I am not a builder, just a lay-man ....... but l have "observed' a few builds of my own .....(plus that of others).... and one of them was in such a nasty environment as this one! So, l think l can make a little comment like this, using my own experiences.

I feel really sad about this house....l really feel sad!

Infact, this house needs PRAYERS.
[b]*That vegetation you are seeing, is indicative of a SWAMP topography! Not just a "soft-soil" but a Swamp!
I hope we all know what l mean by SWAMP? Anyone who has lived in the low-land part Niger Delta, should educate us about SWAMP, please!

I have seen it swallow many Storey buildings.

*In cases l have seen, First, the ground floor will be converted to filling when it gets to the point where one can no longer fill it again (Filling don pass window level! )
*Secondly, after a while, the Upper floors becomes a Bungalow which eventually will still go (depending on where the hard Soil that has the bearing capacity is encountered.[/b]

Dont think l am an alarmist o, God spear our life, l hope we can all come back to read this post of mine, in about ten years time.
Bookmark it.

In the late 60's, a "family member" of ours had a land like this and l can remember back then, how they continued to spend money, upon money on the house on it .... and like what Yorubas call "Agbaa'noo" , it just kept swallowing it because the foundation of the house was wrong and they was not advised properly, that the ONLY solution is to demolish it, do a proper foundation and rebuild.

One "Money-miss-road" even came later and instead of him to learn from our own mistake and heed the advise my we gave him, he quickly built a Storey building within about 3-months .....but l tell you, that building went "completely underground" in less than eight years!
Till today, there is no building on that his land (owner don die and his children decided such "Agbaa'noo is not for them), its a church that just put some ramshackle on it.

Somebody should have told QC-1, that he needs a PILE, for that foundation!
I dont know for sure if somebody did and he dismissed it .....but my guess is that he was not told
I am not even talking about the surface run-off flood or pipe channelled onto his land nor the underground water you mentioned.

PROGNOSIS:

1.) A complete Rebuild, with proper foundation (Pile with Floating raft) - costly but most reliable and cost effective in the long run.

2.) Patches here and there to keep it afloat - will help to manage cash-flow for now, keep a roof over owner's head but a waste of money in the long run because "money used to maintain it within the next five years" will be enough to start another build to at least a Decked, Bungalow level.

If anyone tells you that building has stopped sinking, say l, Lastpage! said l would have a bet that "if they can measure its height above ground now (accurately), 10% of that value, at a minimum, will be below ground by this time next year"!

I am speaking based on the foundation pictures l saw (Nobody is God! ...and with God, nothing is impossible; that is why l said above, that "We need Prayers".

My Prayer is that God will provide more Money for QC1, to surmount this challenge.
If l were him, l will start thinking ahead and not let anyone fool me that they can do one miracle on this building
Brabus cant, l cant, No one can..... without pulling it down.
Anything done is just a "patch-patch" ......which will waste more money on a futile effort.




Lastpage!

Caveat: I am sorry if you find my post "uncomfortable", especially the Client nd Brabus l am used to calling "A Spade, A Spade".
Most people wont say what l have said "openly" but l am sure inside most of us, we know this truth.
Its just not in my nature and those close to me know this
Am sorry.

AZUH:
@egunmojagi i was busy today , thanks for asking . i was busy with the president i want further devaluation of naira .

Aaahhzzuuuka ........for President!
Phee-Deee-Fheeeeeee.... Fhaawer!




Lastpage!

[center] Creative Use of redundant Space[/center]

With the rapacious presence of mobile phone, the traditional public telephone booth is gradually going out of fashion. Here in the UK, the British Telecom is steadily decommissioning the booths with near zero patronage. This leave the question as to what to do with the empty redundant booths. I know of some telephone booths that have been creatively converted into roadside public libraries.

But the picture below is a new one on me; a booth being converted into a salad kiosk to serve office workers in Holborn, central London at lunchtime. The business was brisk and famished workers queued up to be served. This demonstrate how far one could get with creative thinking.

This brings me to a feasibility business plan I commissioned in Nigeria to convert retired Lagos Molue to short stay holiday home/shops in a business park scenario. There are a couple of available lands in Lagos, Fiditi in Ibadan and Asaba but the problem holding the project back is the lack of affordable access to heavy moving equipment to lift any purchased Molue in a low-loader for transportation to site. Some quotes I received could do a raft foundation twice over which will negate the whole idea. I'm looking at other options at the moment.

AZUH:
@egunmojagi i was busy today , thanks for asking . i was busy with the president i want further devaluation of naira .

I continue to take offense at the intentional misspell of my name

Alake of Egbaland must hear this

diordaves:
[center] Creative Use of redundant Space[/center]

With the rapacious presence of mobile phone, the traditional public telephone booth is gradually going out of fashion. Here in the UK, the British Telecom is steadily decommissioning the booths with near zero patronage. This leave the question as to what to do with the empty redundant booths. I know of some telephone booths that have been creatively converted into roadside public libraries.

But the picture below is a new one on me; a booth being converted into a salad kiosk to serve office workers in Holborn, central London at lunchtime. The business was brisk and famished workers queued up to be served. This demonstrate how far one could get with creative thinking.

This brings me to a feasibility business plan I commissioned in Nigeria to convert retired Lagos Molue to short stay holiday home/shops in a business park scenario. There are a couple of available lands in Lagos, Fiditi in Ibadan and Asaba but the problem holding the project back is the lack of affordable access to heavy moving equipment to lift any purchased Molue in a low-loader for transportation to site. Some quotes I received could do a raft foundation twice over which will negate the whole idea. I'm looking at other options at the moment.

Get out of my head

One of two will find itself on my property later but it won't be for salad

EgunMogaji:


I just need something to give me a few minutes of fighting chance.

There's going to be an over the range water source plus fire extinguishers.

I don't play with my fire extinguishers. I have them in every place where open flames or accelerants are kept.

For a few minutes of fighting chance, you are covered with gypsum based materials like plasterboard, drywall, suspended pop ceiling, pop screeding etc.
Gypsum releases water on contact with fire .
All those water it used to harden on casting is released back as water vapor on contact with heat or fire to keep the surface cooler.
They can offer protection for several minutes.

diordaves:
[center] Creative Use of redundant Space[/center]

With the rapacious presence of mobile phone, the traditional public telephone booth is gradually going out of fashion. Here in the UK, the British Telecom is steadily decommissioning the booths with near zero patronage. This leave the question as to what to do with the empty redundant booths. I know of some telephone booths that have been creatively converted into roadside public libraries.

But the picture below is a new one on me; a booth being converted into a salad kiosk to serve office workers in Holborn, central London at lunchtime. The business was brisk and famished workers queued up to be served. This demonstrate how far one could get with creative thinking.

This brings me to a feasibility business plan I commissioned in Nigeria to convert retired Lagos Molue to short stay holiday home/shops in a business park scenario. There are a couple of available lands in Lagos, Fiditi in Ibadan and Asaba but the problem holding the project back is the lack of affordable access to heavy moving equipment to lift any purchased Molue in a low-loader for transportation to site. Some quotes I received could do a raft foundation twice over which will negate the whole idea. I'm looking at other options at the moment.

Respect!

@ egungaji Don't worry lastpage is coming for you . Let me get your picture first . Alaka of sambisa forest . @ lastpage what village are you from be honest " I don't understand your existence at all """" sometimes you get mad easily n sometime happy . The economy is also affecting you ? I think it's only agarawu my niccur

gbadexy:

Sure. You can apply ordinary emulsion on a screeded wall.
It will come out well but not as nice as applying matte or silk/satin finish.
Walls to be painted with ordinary emulsion doesn't necessarily need to be screeded, so far the plastering is good.
The essence of screeding in the first instance is to provide a smooth layer on the wall to hide faults on the wall.
High sheen paints highlight these faults, hence why screeding is done in anticipation of using these types of paint.
Regular emulsion on the other hand covers faults on the wall, so far it's not too significant.
Still it's a matter of preference and budget. But I would recommend at least matte emulsion if the problem is with sheen finish.

PS: matte and silk paints have low to little fillers and give flatter and smoother finish.

@gbadexy thanks a lot. Well understood.