MexConnect.com Forums: Specific Focus: Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico: Making a concrete addition to a Home: Page 2

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robt65

May 25, 2011, 8:34 PM

Post #26 of 33 (1270 views)

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Re: [Bennie García] Making a concrete addition to a Home

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As I also said before . . . . you are certainly entitled to your opinion. . . . . . . as am I.

robt65

(This post was edited by robt65 on May 25, 2011, 8:38 PM)

Sculptari

May 26, 2011, 6:33 AM

Post #27 of 33 (1255 views)

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Re: [robt65] Making a concrete addition to a Home

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I am replying because sometimes these threads are repositories of information, that is what is unique about this site.

We are missing two other features of styrofoam panels. The first in insulation - good R factor, sound proofing, all at low cost. The second is runoff, much more important in rain (and snow) areas. A basic steel and concrete roof can be easily built with predictable load levels. Then comes the challenge and skill levels to make a flat roof (as much useable space as possible) that will shed water and not have puddles. A common practice in Canada - and I am sure, but have not confirmed that this is routinely used in Puerto Vallarta- Is to have the foam suppliers cut the panels each with a specified slope. This is very easy to do on the cad/cam cutters they all use to slice from the giant foam 'billets'. Imagine a large chunk of cheese, and the hot wire cutter making the slices. The slices are designed to interlock and the 'cut list' is all numbered for assembly. A water proof membrane is laid on the concrete, the foam goes down, fill in the blanks with lightweight concrete, and then tiles. Simple, stable and durable. Easy to wash down too. The ' structural panels' could be used, but then there is still the problem of waterproofing and deck slopes - you are just paying for the convenience of rapid assembly.

So we have learned that if you want something original, entertaining to the eye, and low cost - then use steel and concrete using lots of curves, which gives unbelievable strength over flat/square construction. If you still want flat/square - then build your frame, roof beams and footings as strong as needed, with steel and concrete, and then hang everything off of this skeleton. Of course, the key is to balance these two styles.

(This post was edited by Sculptari on May 26, 2011, 7:40 AM)

Rolly / Moderator

May 26, 2011, 7:49 AM

Post #28 of 33 (1242 views)

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Re: [Sculptari] Making a concrete addition to a Home

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A "flat" roof that drains well can be made without special panels as my guys for my large building project a few years ago.
The roof slab was finished with a gentle slop to the west side of the building were the drainage system would be.
The roof drains well with only some minor puddling, yet it seems flat to people walking on the roof.
Here is a view of some of the work connecting the drainage system. http://rollybrook.com/11-09.htm

Rolly Pirate

robt65

May 26, 2011, 7:20 PM

Post #29 of 33 (1198 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Making a concrete addition to a Home

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I agree with Rolly 100%. a 1:48 is barely discernable when walking and yet, as a slope and /or cross slope, it can handle a pretty good rain for runoff. If a correct screed is used there should be very little if any puddleing. Sufficient scuppers should easily take care of drainage either to a street level or to a cistern. One trick is to use a vibrator even on a four or six inch thick concrete roof to assist in the leveling process. If you are collecting water in a cistern for example, and you have concern the runoff is absolutely going to fill and then overfill your cistern, use a larger diameter Y valve on one leg (say a four inch leg) with a diversion valve to redirect any overflow to the collector of the house, or the common roadway for normal runoff to the street.

robt65

Sculptari

May 27, 2011, 12:56 PM

Post #30 of 33 (1160 views)

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Re: [robt65] Making a concrete addition to a Home

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The thing to avoid in concrete work is 'cold joints' -this is where one batch of concrete has set before the new one. This is always where problems and failures occur. Portland based concrete shrinks, a major stint in 28 days, then doesn't stop shrinking for 100 years. If there are no pre-mix trucks in your area, then compromises have to be made. They seem to everywhere in Jalisco and in fact, Guadalajara was recognized to have the first computerized, multi batch, delivery system. State of the art on the world concrete stage- in the 1990's.

Everything is prepared, checked and rechecked, then a 'self leveling' mix is delivered, it is runny but is formulated to cure slowly as one solid mass - gravity does all the labor for leveling. There is no way to 'screed' a mix like this. To screed it you need a stiff mix, and if you don't have access to thixotropic additives like aerosil, and are working in a hot, dry climate with winds - you have to be extremely careful to avoid cracks. In fact many masons I have watched in Mexico take cracks for granted - they just come back the next day to fill them cosmetically. This is bad practice.

For some reason, I don't know why (new construction is not my forte), the slopes in the roofs became a complicated affair, in say California - imagine a four sided pyramid in the peak, and everything slopes to the edges. They use a 'tapered roof insulation" tile made from perlite (again, fireproof requirements) and then a membrane over that. At least this was explained to me by a major Sacramento roofing contractor, who wanted me to work with him on foamed magnesium cement tiles. The insulation was required to meet legally mandated 'r' factors, but also to stop pooling. Zero pooling is the goal, pooling attracts dust (dirt) and then plantgrowth with very strong root systems. Pooling also allows water time to think out an escape strategy - also not a good thing. When you think about it, water is the most destructive force in nature.

johninajijic

May 29, 2011, 8:45 AM

Post #31 of 33 (1102 views)

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Re: [robt65] Making a concrete addition to a Home

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Why don't you hire an Architect, Structural Engineer or building contractor of many years of experience to tell you what is needed before you build it incorrectly and waste your time and money?

robt65

May 29, 2011, 4:38 PM

Post #32 of 33 (1071 views)

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Re: [johninajijic] Making a concrete addition to a Home

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John

I have over 25 years experience as an architectural consultant. I believe I have the skills necessary, after 25+ years as a qualified architectural consultant to construct a project. The only difficulty I have, is in matching the Mexican building products from days past, which I have very limited knowledge about (such as Cantera Stone), with today’s Mexican building products. I also have most all of my professional carrier time spent in the large commercial multimillion dollar projects of educational institutions, health care facilities, laboratories and other such facilities including historical significance projects in several states and several countries of Europe. Commercial multimillion dollar projects are a different animal than residential construction. Not better, not worse, just different.

I am a past member (before my retirement) of several architectural, and code enforcement bodies both in the USA and abroad in Europe. For over seven years, prior to my retirement, I have provided continuing educational courses in architecture sanctioned by the AIA, and several universities. I think I have the qualifications to construct additions to my home. I think if you and others read my specific questions of which there were really only two, you would either have the answers I requested from personal past experience (such as Bennie or Rolly), or you would not, it’s really pretty clear and simple to me.

If you had read my other responses to various posters, I think that you will clearly (or at least should be able to comprehend); that I asked for suggestions, and did not ask for someone to mandate that I use their suggestion. It is my choice, which way I may happen to decide to use one, or another, or none at all of any suggestions submitted on my personal family project.

As it turns after several telephone conversations with friends with a combined 47 years of excellent history in the field of residential architecture, I happened to have made a different choice than those offered. If that has offended anyone who has made their own surmising from reading a blog here or there, I am sorry about that. Unknot your panties and get on with life. I wasn't aware when I made my initial request, that I was required or mandated to use some responders answer under the penalty of God knows what. So . . . . . . If my choice has offended anyone who has made their own surmising from reading a blog here or there, Again I am sorry about that and again unknot your panties and get on with your life.

Rest assured, that I have not lost any sleep over your snarky responses. Your childish threats, of trying to “gang up” to not respond to any of my further questions are happily accepted. There won't be so much weeding out to do.

I would be so bold as to suggest for any one responding to any OP's post, is to read first any and all parts of the OP's original question and or following remarks, and then maybe . . . . . . . and only maybe, if you qualify . . . . . . . . . respond, without assumption the OP is required to accept your suggestion as the be all end all, because in most cases it is not.

Sculptari, I am also a natural born Canadian and acquired some of my post secondary education in Canada. I am quite well aware of your knowledge and writing other professional persons for their responses to a question and then (in most cases) posting it as the be all, end all answer. If you are content with that, then I am happy for you, . . . . as for me, I am not. I well remember your takes on several other posts, under a different name. I thank you for your contributations, but I will stay with my choices and knowledge, so again thank you.

robt65
P.S. I would request the moderator to end this posting, since I have already made my decisions and have started the construction.

Thank you.

Rolly / Moderator

May 29, 2011, 4:52 PM

Post #33 of 33 (1069 views)

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Re: [robt65] Making a concrete addition to a Home

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Good idea. Bring on the ole lockaroo

Rolly Pirate

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