How do I fix this?

[Bassosa]

My builder really outdid himself. I think we hit a new low. Contrary to agreement, he came up with this concept for our "wash basin island".

 

That is a reinforced concrete slab, recently poured, that will have a wash basin and faucet on it, resting on a sad little pile of brittle thai red bricks.

 

I rejected the work and ask him to replace the brick column with a reinforced concrete column, tied into the slab on top and ideally tied into the surface below, but it might be a little late for that?

 

Then I've asked for an additional column for more support of the slab, in the pic just left of the pipes, but this one made out of load bearing bricks, probably Qcon blocks.

 

Then with timber we create the little "home" for the pipe work, with hatch of course so we can troubleshoot the pipework.

 

Does this make sense? 

 

[bkk6060]

Well, either he does what you say or you do it.

Don't you have one of those Thai GF or wives who will yell at them and fight for you to fix it?

 

With what you have shown makes me wonder about the quality of the rest of the project.

Good luck with it...

[timendres]

Wire reinforcement within concrete that he will put around those bricks will definitely help. A solid center column will also help. Those red bricks are the standard for a lot of Thai construction, so he was just using what he was familiar with.

[Crossy]

I would suggest one of these is involved.

 

 

Alternatively, a good, solid "farang lean" on one end will "fix" the issue.

 

[sometimewoodworker]

43 minutes ago, Bassosa said:

 

That is a reinforced concrete slab, recently poured, that will have a wash basin and faucet on it, resting on a sad little pile of brittle thai red bricks.

 

I rejected the work and ask him to replace the brick column with a reinforced concrete column, tied into the slab on top and ideally tied into the surface below, but it might be a little late for that?

Anything like you suggest has to be done prior to pouring the top slab. The bricks are probably strong enough but if you are unconvinced then a second skin beside the current one with the bricks laid on their sides will be very much stronger.

 

43 minutes ago, Bassosa said:

Then with timber we create the little "home" for the pipe work, with hatch of course so we can troubleshoot the pipework.

Don't use timber as that will be a "home" for termites.

[fruitman]

Can those red bricks stand a flooding of 6 weeks? If not don't use them. That brick wall doesn't look strong enough anyway...

 

And where is the opening for the sink?

 

An IKEA kitchen would be much easyier but can't stand floods and not sure about termites.

 

 

[Artisi]

23 minutes ago, Crossy said:

I would suggest one of these is involved.

 

 

Alternatively, a good, solid "farang lean" on one end will "fix" the issue.

 

1: 20 lb is over-kill

2: simply sit in the middle of the bench top, same result. 

[Matzzon]

That´s a big laugh. I would actually consider to not pay the man for that work.

[essox essox]

4 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

That´s a big laugh. I would actually consider to not pay the man for that work.

what WORK?????..........

[Mavideol]

 

maybe should consider giving him a call 

[worgeordie]

Must be one of the better builders,   he has 2 tape measures...unless one is yours

regards worgeordie

[Bassosa]

The builder knows he's done wrong and is fixing the issue. 

 

We are now considering brickwork in the shape of a U to support the slab. Not the bricks pictured because they have no loadbearing qualities and probably also not Qcon because they are quite big and I have a feeling our builder doesn't know how to use them.

Could brickwork in a U-shape provide sufficient support for the slab and if so, what bricks to use? Are those little red pressed ones any good?

[worgeordie]

U shape...every time I have asked a builder here to make something that is 

not square or oblong, they go in a panic and say it cannot be done.

regards worgeordie

[Bassosa]

5 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

U shape...every time I have asked a builder here to make something that is 

not square or oblong, they go in a panic and say it cannot be done.

regards worgeordie

You mean they can't interlock the bricks to make 90 degree angles? That's insane.

 

[ThePioneer]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

With what you have shown makes me wonder about the quality of the rest of the project.

Good luck with it...

 

Take a look at the OP's other recent threads and you will have your answer

 

[worgeordie]

1 minute ago, Bassosa said:

You mean they can't interlock the bricks to make 90 degree angles? That's insane.

You said they are making a U shape, do you mean bricks on the bottom and two pillars

or something else.

regards worgeordie

[Bassosa]

Brickwork with two 90 degree angles, creating a U-shape to support the slab that's resting on top of it, basically partially enclosing the pipework, leaving one side open for access.

Possibly by using the little red pressed bricks I sometimes see in Thailand.

 

Sorry, English not my mother tongue and generally bad at building lingo.

[Rookiescot]

Are you sure this guy is a builder?

Probably could have done better yourself using lego.

[NanLaew]

2 hours ago, Bassosa said:

My builder really outdid himself. I think we hit a new low. Contrary to agreement, he came up with this concept for our "wash basin island".

 

That is a reinforced concrete slab, recently poured, that will have a wash basin and faucet on it, resting on a sad little pile of brittle thai red bricks.

 

I rejected the work and ask him to replace the brick column with a reinforced concrete column, tied into the slab on top and ideally tied into the surface below, but it might be a little late for that?

 

Then I've asked for an additional column for more support of the slab, in the pic just left of the pipes, but this one made out of load bearing bricks, probably Qcon blocks.

 

Then with timber we create the little "home" for the pipe work, with hatch of course so we can troubleshoot the pipework.

 

Does this make sense? 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Bassosa

Good to see that the Carrara marble dunny has been done first.

[eyecatcher]

Dont panic folks, on closer examination of the photo it appears the concrete slab is supported by the plastic waste pipe, aswell.

 

Phew! I thought all was lost for a second

[grollies]

18 minutes ago, eyecatcher said:

Dont panic folks, on closer examination of the photo it appears the concrete slab is supported by the plastic waste pipe, aswell.

 

Phew! I thought all was lost for a second

LOL

[Kwasaki]

Double up the brickwork or give a good thick render boths sides.

[Bassosa]

19 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Double up the brickwork or give a good thick render boths sides.

Thanks for the constructive feedback!

[sammieuk1]

It looks like a low level model handy for feet washing though????

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

Double up the brickwork or give a good thick render boths sides.

Double AND render - a centre support wouldn't go amiss if it can be incorporated - will it take the form of a cupboard? 

[Bassosa]

3 minutes ago, Artisi said:

Double AND render. 

Thanks.

Does the render add strength or do you mention it just for aesthetic purposes?

[Artisi]

25 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

It looks like a low level model handy for feet washing though????

Probably a surface mounted hand basin. 

[Bassosa]

2 minutes ago, Artisi said:

Probably a surface mounted hand basin. 

Correct.

and the area to the side of the basin will be raised.

[Artisi]

6 minutes ago, Bassosa said:

Thanks.

Does the render add strength or do you mention it just for aesthetic purposes?

Strength, especially if you double up on the brickwork. 

Although one single rendered "wall" should be ok. 

[Chazar]

4 hours ago, Bassosa said:

I think we hit a new low

Nah trust me they can go lower, when they use a stone as a  hammer its starting to  get bad, I sacked mine after 3  weeks ( 10  years ago), never  used one  since , prefer   to keep sane and do everything  myself, in fact it  gives  me something to do and I also take pride in what I've done, unlike a  lot of Thais.