House Construction
Grading and Site Preparation
The site you are building on should be flat, with no lumps or hillocks.
to level, you could hire a bulldozer and go over the land with the blade
close to the ground to remove all lumps or hillocks. If the plot is on a
severe incline then lay stilts out so that you can lay out a floor level on
top of them. At times ground filling has to be done to raise ground to the
required level.
Excavation & Foundation Construction
Foundation Construction is an integral part of home building. It is what
the whole house rests on. A firm foundation is a must, so don't use sand. In
most construction, concrete is used as foundation. It is laid into a trench
up to 3 or 4 feet deep, and provides a very solid foundation for whatever
building material used. There are many different types of foundations. The
most typical foundation is made up of a footing which is the portion of the
steel reinforced concrete that bears on the undisturbed soil. Footings are
typically 12" 16" up to 36" inches wide by 10" to 12" deep depending on the
soil on which they are bearing. A foundation wall is general applied over
the footing to above grade. Foundation walls are typically 8" wide and
terminate 8' above the finished grade. like column footing , pile, raft etc.
these are used as per condition of soil. Waterproofing, damproofing and
drainage are typically applied at the exterior of the foundation and
footing. This is particulary important when building in wet soils.
Rough Framing
The Framing begins with the anchoring of the studs to the concrete
foundation. Walls are constructed of Wood Studs typical 16" on center -
framing studs come in 2 x 4, 2 x 6, 2 x 8, 2 x10 and lengths of 6,8,10,12
feet and longer. Floor/Ceiling joists are typically an engineered lumber
product, as are the Roof Trusses, both ordered to size. Sheer Walls are
constructed by sheathing the stud walls with plywood onone or both sides -
used primarimly in earthquake regions. Exterior walls are sheathed with
plywood or oriented strand board
(OSB) and usually a Owens Corning Rigid Insulation Product.
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- NOTE: There are no Federal Building Codes, each State and then
County adopts its own building and safety codes. Typically a framing
inspection, electrical inspection and plumbing inspection is
required prior to walls being insulated and/or drywalled.
Rough Plumbing
Installation of Hot/Cold Supply and Waste Lines, Shower and Tub Valves,
Hot Water Heater, Water Purifier/Softner and Fire Supression System
Septic/Sewage Systems
How the septic tank system works - A typical septic system, consists of
an underground tank, a distribution line and a soil absorption drainage
field. Wastewater leaves the home through an underground pipe connected to
the septic tank. Baffles in the septic tank slow the flow of the incoming
wastewater and prevent sewage from flowing directly through the tank.
Heavier solids settle to the bottom and accumulate as sludge.
The septic tank system is a natural sewage treatment and disposal system.
By natural we mean that it relies on bacteria to digest and clean the
wastewater. Septic systems are biological systems and must have bacteria to
work. The bacteria in the septic tank literally eat & digest the solids in
the tank turning them into liquids and gases.
Raw household wastewater will quickly clog all but the most porous gravel
formations. A septic tank is a watertight chamber, which conditions the
wastewater to reduce clogging so that it may be more readily absorbed into
the soil. The septic tank separates the settable and floatable solids,
promotes the growth of anaerobic bacteria necessary to decompose the solids,
and provides storage for the resulting sludge and scum.
Constructing a septic tank system:
· Septic tanks should be located where they will not cause contamination
of any well, spring or any other source of water supply.
· The septic tank should not be located closer than 10 feet from any
building. The tank should not be located in swampy areas, or in areas
subject to flooding.
· Slopes greater than 25 percent will cause considerable difficulty in
construction, and may slide once they become saturated with effluent.
· There must be no permanent cover placed over the septic tank or lateral
lines.
Masonry
Brick Firebox & Chimney Construction and installation of Prefabricated
Firebox Inserts with Flue/Dampers
Brick veneer on wood frame walls is a standard
home building practice.
When applied over wood frame walls, a weather-resistive-barrier is
critical to protect the wood framing from water damage. Masonry is not
waterproof.
Rough Electrical
An important document to read is the IEE Wiring Regulations (or
equivilant).
Installation of Transformers, Service Panels, Switches, Outlets, GFI
Outlets, Jboxs, Recessed Light Fixtures, Exhaust Fans, Fire/Security Horns
and Emergency Lighting
Rough Low Voltage Systems
installation of wiring for Security Camera/Alarm,
Telephone/Intercom/Internet Communications, Audio/Video Components, LV Light
Fixtures and Home Automation Contolers
Rough HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air
Conditioning)
Furnace/Air Conditioner Unit Installation, Supply/Return Air Ducts,
Exhaust Ducts, Radiant Floor Systems, Air Purifier/Humidity Systems and
Vacuum Systems.
Roof
Mansford, Shed, Hip, Gamble, Saltbox and Gable can be covered in Asphalt
and Wood Shingle, Terra Cotta Tiles, Slate Tiles, Copper Sheeting and Metal
Standing Seam the most common roofing materials. Based on geometry roofs can
be classified as sloped, pitched or flat. The "pitch" of the roof is
dependant on geographic location - Higher pitched rooves are typically found
in cold climates but also in wet climates.
Rain Control
Depending on the archiectual style the Gutter, Downspouts and Collector
Box's may be exposed or built with the roofs eaves and walls.
Exterior Openings
Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors, Roof Hatch and Skylights
requires weather proofing be at its best. Although older houses may still
contain single glazed wooden framed windows and doors; modern house usually
have a steel or aluminium reinforced uPVC framed double glazed system. These
window system are fixed to the preformed concrete ope by use of usually a
galvanised steel fixing bracket which clips to the frame of the window or
door and is fix back to reveal.
The window will sit either on the upstand of a precast concrete cill or
onto a pvc of aluminium PPC cill. A silicone sealant or expandable foam can
be used to weather the window or door once in place.
Doors may have to be sunk a few millimeters in order to achieve the
correct height of threshold depending on building regulations governing the
use of the door.
Exterior Wall Surfaces
Materials as Stucco, Brick, Stone, Wood Clapboard and Shingle are all
cladding products. Modern woodframe construction requires the installation
of a weather-resistive-barrier (WRB) under the cladding. The WRB provides
the primary funtion of protecting the structure from water.
Exterior Cast Stone
Door/Window Surrounds, Eaves, Balconies, Columns/Pilasters and
Steps/Coping
Interior Doors
Installation of Jambs for Pocket/French/BiFold type doors.
Door & Window Hardware
Installation of Door Hinges, Knobs/Lever, Cremone/Lock, Treasholds and
Window Locks/Cranks "Taqi"
Interior Wall Surfaces
Drywall, Plaster, Wood Panel and Tile/Stone/Brick are typical selections.
Insulation
A fundamental principle in building. It the means by which the interior
environment can be made thermally comfortable. Insulation works by limiting
the loss of heat from a relatively warm environment to a relatively cold
environment. This is achieved in a number of ways:
Limiting Convection (air) heat loss. Most forms of insulation (such as
polystyrene and fiberglass) contain cellular structures that trap air. This
trapped air acts as a barrier to the passage of air through the insulating
material.
Limiting Radiation heat loss Insulanting materials are generally good at
limiting radiated heat by reflecting it in the same way that a mirror
reflects light. Shiny metals such as aluminum are good at reflecting heat,
and this material is often used as a backing for insulated panels.
Wood Flooring
Wood Plank, Strip and Parquet, Decorative Inlays/Boarders and Staircase
Risers/Treads
Stone & Tile
Ceramic/Terra Cotta, Terrazo, Concrete, Mosaics and Inlays Floors,
Bathroom Walls/Showers/Tub Decks, Fireplace Mantels/Surrounds/Hearths,
Countertops/Backsplash, Staircase Risers/Risers, Columns/Pedestals and
Exterior Terrace/Walks/Paths/Drives
Cabinetry
Built In Bookcases/Desks, Powder Room Pullmans, Bathroom & Kitchen
Cabinetry, Pantry/Linen Shelving and Closetry
Millwork
Wall Paneling, Coffered Cieling, Decorative Beams, BaseBoard, Door/Window
Casing, Applied Wall Molding, Crown/Cornice Moldings, Columns/Pilasters
Overdoor, Staircase Ballustrades/Hand Rail and Fireplace Mantels
Metalwork
Wrought Iron Railings, Doors/Windows, Pedestrian/Auto Gates, Fences and
Grilles. Copper Awnings, Chimney Caps and Hoods
Finish Electrical
Switch/Outlet Covers, Recessed Lighting Trims, Installation of Decorative
Light Fixtures (Chandeliers/Sconce/Lanterns)
Finish Plumbing
Installation of Fixtures (Bidet/Toilet), Trims of Faucet/Drain Fittings,
Connect Tub/Sink Drains and Volume Tests
Finish HVAC
Decorative Grilles/Diffusers and Controler Trims
Appliances
Kitchen Refrigerator/Freezer, Range, Ovens, Hoods, Dishwasher, Ice
makers, Wine Coolers. Laundry Washer and Dryers
Interior Wall/Ceiling Finishes
Primed, Painted, Stained, Wallpaper, Faux Finishes and Venetian Plasters
Glass/Mirror
Decorative Leaded and Etched Glass Window/Doors, Shower and Tub
Doors/Enclosures and Wall Mirror used in house.
Landscape Hardscape
Walls, Terraces, Walks, Stairs, Curbs and Driveways
Landscape Watering
Spinkler, Driblers and Misters
Landscape Lighting
Path/Walk, Stair, Plant/Tree, Water Features and Security
Landscape Pool/Spa
Swiming Pool, Spa, Fountains and Reflecting Pools
Landscape Structures
Gazebo, Cabana, Canvas Awnings and BBQ/Cooking Areas
Landscape Plantings
Lawn, Trees, Shrubs, Flowers and Potted Plants
Furnishings
Floor Coverings (Carpet/Area Rugs), Window Coverings (Drapes/Shades and
Sun Control: Window Tint)
Punch list
Contractor and Home Owner "To Do" List
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