Formwork

We finally sorted the details for pouring our board marked concrete wall, and ordered the formwork from RMD Kwikform. This is big stuff, and will allow us to build the structure of our house in a few weeks. The thing with concrete is, you have to make the moulds strong enough to hold the concrete when it’s in liquid form. It just wants to burst out everywhere until it dries, then it’s ok.

This heavyweight formwork is usually used in commercial builds, and we have to hire it, so for the first time, the clock is ticking. Because of this, we waited until after the bank holiday before getting it in. So, at the end of this week, we’ve constructed the formwork for the bottom level of the wall and fireplace, and will build this up pour by pour starting next week, when we get the sandblasted board to go inside the formwork, which will leave it’s imprint on the concrete.

We also had Grand Designs over on Tuesday, with Sir Kev, who was great again. He gave us loads of advice and was really excited by our progress. He usefully pointed out to us that this construction of the lounge wall will produce the final finish before the rest of the house is built, like getting the decorators in before we've started the ceiling, and that we only had one shot to do it, and we had to get it right, or live with the expensive mistake. He's great at laying out the jeopardy!

Next week will continue the concrete formwork and first pour of the wall, and the brickies start building the garden wall!