Tony L Posted Sunday at 20:11 Share Posted Sunday at 20:11 I’d just like to check that it’s normal to fit blocks with bits missing from the edges into B&B floor. Will the builder just stick some mortar into these? If so, will it matter if the mortar slops down to form a bridge to the wet ground, about 250mm below the beams? Once the B&B floor is done, it will likely be many months before we start building the walls. Should I tell the builder to just leave the holes, in case his weak mix (relative to concrete blocks) deteriorates through the winter, & we can fill the holes when we’re ready to build up the floor? How will the small rectangular holes by the sleeper wall be filled? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony L Posted Sunday at 20:13 Author Share Posted Sunday at 20:13 How will the gap between the beams in the picture below be dealt with? Will the builder cut concrete blocks in half lengthways? I have a feeling I’m over thinking this, but I work on the principal that even if you’re 99% sure, if you’ve time to ask someone who knows, you should ask. & sorry for all the questions. I will, of course, be asking the builder, but based on his performance over the past month, I think it’s as well to try to learn as much as I can here, because I don’t trust him to always offer me the best possible solution, or even do what he told me he was going to do the day before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted Sunday at 20:41 Share Posted Sunday at 20:41 No, get those broken blocks swapped, while it is easy to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu w Posted Sunday at 20:41 Share Posted Sunday at 20:41 (edited) Request them to remove them and use them as cuts if possible. They're shouldn't be blocks with large sections missing they should be whole and in good condition Edited Sunday at 20:42 by stu w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorfun Posted Sunday at 21:22 Share Posted Sunday at 21:22 If your builder thinks having blocks like that in there is acceptable then I’d be concerned about how many other corners will be cut during the build! as above, they need to be replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted Sunday at 22:17 Share Posted Sunday at 22:17 Yes he will cut the block to fit the smaller spaces Its normal use up the chipped or damaged blocks for the cuts Looks like he’s already used these The blocks he’s using look like leftovers from the foundations The blocks should be clean and straight off the pack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony L Posted Sunday at 23:02 Author Share Posted Sunday at 23:02 1 hour ago, Thorfun said: ... I’d be concerned about how many other corners will be cut during the build! Thanks for your input, everyone. Yes, I am already very concerned that he's taking advantage of my lack of knowledge & is cutting corners, & it's helpful to hear my view on this is supported by those of you on the forum who do have the knowledge. This builder has been employed to deal with demolition, groundworks including drains & connection to main sewer, building up the BB floor & also laying the courses of bricks that will take us up to where the render will start. I think we're 80% or more of the way there now, & I'm hoping we can keep an eye on him & complete this first phase of the project within the next two weeks. Although my partner has been expressing a "better the devil you know" view on who might be chosen to deal with the next phase of the build, I don't think we should consider continuing with this builder. I'm aiming to be well inside the airtightness value at which MVHR makes sense, & I think it would take too much of my time & energy to badger this guy into dealing with all the details to achieve that goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilly Posted Monday at 07:20 Share Posted Monday at 07:20 In your situation it often turned out ‘if it looks wrong it probably is’ and would have to go off on a BH rabbit hole to have enough info to challenge them. Go with your instincts as decisions get more complex as the build progresses. If you are expecting a pause, you have time to research someone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveasteading Posted Monday at 08:07 Share Posted Monday at 08:07 The drains are interesting. Superficially tidy but laid on bricks or over rubble, then pour in lots and lots of gravel. i am guessing that you are paying for the gravel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony L Posted Monday at 14:50 Author Share Posted Monday at 14:50 6 hours ago, saveasteading said: The drains are interesting. The picture with the drains isn't my site, sadly - it's a picture @nod put up to show me what my B&B should look like. Thanks, Nod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveasteading Posted Monday at 15:03 Share Posted Monday at 15:03 1 minute ago, Tony L said: it's a picture @nod put up OK so it won't be left like that. Also, note how Nod's cut blocks are not at the perimeter, but one block in. That's good but uncommon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony L Posted Monday at 19:12 Author Share Posted Monday at 19:12 I hadn't spotted that. Thanks for pointing it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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