Staking out the site
The site is set up and the structures staked out on the site with the architect present.
Riprap, approx. 15 cm thick, is provided for the site access.
Earthworks
We remove the topsoil to a depth of approx. 20 cm under the site of the house and store it in the most appropriate spot.
We carry out the general earthworks leaving a space of approx. 50 cm for the ventilated air spaces and 1.50 m for the basements, between the walls of these excavations and the outside of the walls in contact with the ground and up to the depths required for the building.
Except in special circumstances, these excavations for the foundations are 30 cm deep and 50 cm wide.
The base of the excavations is at least 80 cm under the surface of the outside finished grade and is always perfectly flush. Any possible differences in the level of the base of the excavations are completed in successive horizontal stages.
Soil is stored on site.
Earthworks on rocky soil and the removal or addition of earth must be justified.
Foundation
Earth loop
The earth loop is wired in accordance with current standards using unwelded, round-section, lead-coated copper wire laid out at the bottom of the excavations around the building perimeter.
Foundations
All our foundations are reinforced with a 150/150/8 lattice in the base of the excavations.
They are calculated for a soil resistance of 1.5 kg/cm². The concrete used consists of 350 kg of cement per m³. If required by the quality of the subsoil, we ask an independent firm of engineers to carry out a specific study of the foundation.
Lower-level brickwork
Traditional techniques are used for the lower-level brickwork using heavyweight concrete blocks, 0.29 m thick for the outside walls, and 0.14 m or 0.19 m thick for the inside walls, according to the architect's plans. The basement brickwork is repointed upwards.
Ventilation
At least six PVC ventilation "Ts", of 125 Ø (depending on the size of the house), under the floor slabs on the ground floor to ensure air circulation in the basement.
Tightness
In accordance with professional practice, a "DIBA" polyethylene membrane is placed over the foundation, in the same direction as the floor slabs, lintels, pans, bay outlines and sills, etc. They protect the brickwork against rising damp. For even more protection, we use water-repellent cement with COAL TAR coating to insulate the lower level brickwork in contact with the earth. We also use "PLATON" polyethylene membranes for additional mechanical protection for the basement brickwork.
Drainage
The drainage system uses "BENOR" quality PVC pipes, 110 mm Ø.
It is laid out as follows:
- A single concrete manhole with an inner section of 50/50, 60 cm deep and with a double-bottom cast iron cover.
- A concrete disconnection manhole with an inner section of 50/50, 60 cm deep and with a double-bottom cast iron cover.
- Perimeter shuttering drainage in the basement and gravelling of approx. 50 cm thick. A PVC 20/20 depressed sewer through the garage and in the laundry, if separate from the garage.
- A gully with a removable galvanised grille in front of the garage door, if it is in the basement.
In accordance with the planning requirements and provisions in the area, the drainage system will consist of:
A micro wastewater treatment plant, degreasing tank, all-water tank, septic tank and dispersion drain, which can be adapted to suit the type of land.
Cisterns
A buried, sealed 2,500 l fuel oil tank with a 30 cm manhole covered with a single-bottom cast-iron cover.
In accordance with the planning requirements in some local authorities, we offer what is known as an encased or double-wall tank.
A rainwater tank with a 5,200 l + volume load with duct and 5 m wire puller, a “Socarex” pipe, rainwater filter, redistribution pump unit with suction rose and connection for five devices.
Floors
Basement flagstone
The flagstone consists of:
- riprap, approx. 12 cm thick.
- sand approx. 3 cm thick.
- a watertight seal (2/10 mm polyethylene film).
- 15/15/8 mm lattice.
- concrete, approx. 12 cm thick.
Floor for the ground and upper stories
The floor consists of reinforced concrete, "ECHO" heavy floor slabs, with an authorised overload capacity of 600 kg/m². In areas without ceilings, the underside of the floor slabs is smooth.
Reinforced concrete stairs (basement)
The stairs are made of unsurfaced exposed concrete and includes the formwork, reinforcement and concreting.
On request:
We will finish the steps and risers by smoothing with cement mortar.
Chimney ducts
The central heating duct is made of insulated "COTHERM" products, with a terracotta flue liner with an inner section of 16/16.
The open fire duct consists of a Cotherm 20/20 duct (42/42 ext).
In all cases the chimneystack is made from Eternit slate for optimum tightness, with the appropriate sheet metal work, finished with a Cotherm concrete slab and a "Tiratrec" chimney cap.
Mixed brickwork
The 33 cm thick elevation brickwork consists of:
- A 21 x 10 x 6.5 cm facing-brick, "hand-made" quality.
- The list of bricks offered is available in our offices.
- Ventilated hollow core of approx. 3 cm.
- Insulation 6 cm thick made of rigid extruded polystyrene panel.
- A 14 cm thick Argex block.
NB: We always use galvanised hooks to connect the bricks to the blocks.
The bricks are stretcher bond laid.
Interior brickwork
All the walls on the ground floor and the first storey are made of Argex blocks, 19 cm, 14 cm or 9 cm thick, according to the architect's plans. NB: We never use plaster partition walls.
NB : We never use plaster partition walls.
The garage brickwork is repointed upwards.
Metal structures
All metal structures are lined with at least two protective coats.
Lintels and behind lintels
The lintels of the exterior facings are made from bricks laid edgewise.
Sills
Door and window sills are made from cut stone in 5 cm sections. Recessed in the brickwork by 5 cm. The stones for the doors are fitted a weatherboard strip.
Miscellaneous
There are four ducts for the technical connections:
- PVC, 110 Ø duct for the water.
- PVC, 110 Ø duct for the electricity.
- PVC, 80 Ø duct for telecommunications (BELGACOM in Belgium).
- PVC, 80 Ø duct for cable TV.
They start on the outside of the building, level with the brickwork and at the statutory depth, and penetrate 5 m into the house.
These ducts and the 160 Ø PVC pipe connecting to the sewer are extended as far as the public road.
Approaches
Earth is replaced and levelled around the building to a width of 6 m, without removal or addition of earth.
Trenches and ducts for connection to utilities reaching the road are provided according to the architect's plans.
On request:
Any removal of excess earth will be justified separately.
We may suggest gravelling and contouring the outside borders, concrete paving blocks, etc. with finishing grit.
Repointing
On completion of the construction, the masonry is repointed once per full wall panel.
Short joints are left open at the base of the wall to allow ventilation of the hollow core.
The edges of the exterior joinery are resealed with silicone.
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