Building an extension in the hot sun!
The heat wave is over and the wonderful British weather is starting to settle back into the traditional rhythm of light showers, wind and thunderstorms.
At CG we appreciate the sunshine as much as the next man, but the nature of our work being outdoors means the sun is a lot less of a treat than it might be to some. Diving into the shade, drinking five litres of water and liberal suncream appliance were there norm. It’s almost refreshing to be soaked to the bone. Almost.
We’re currently engaged in a small extension to the rear of a property in East Ardsley. It’s in a pleasant area with good clients who are quick with a cup of coffee and a Maryland cookie or two.
The job itself is as straightforward as one could hope for, a literal square at 3.6 meters on all sides. We’re currently awaiting the concrete oversight to fill in the centre after spending yesterday getting up to the correct height with footing blocks.
We’ve started using premixed mortar from tubs which is massively more efficient that using a traditional cement mixer. We’ve worked out that one tub of this creamy gear is the equivalent of four mixes from a machine. The time and effort saved from not mixing, plus it being more efficient money wise means the job gets built quicker and cheaper on the material costs.
It does however mean there’s less time for the labourer to have a five minute break watching the machine go around. He is earning his money more than ever.
Once the concrete has been delivered for the oversight, it’s then a matter of waiting for it to set before installing the six inch joists that are the foundations for the floor yet to come, not to mention the small matter of building the extension!
