Please feel free to post a comment if you have any questions about the photos below and I'll be happy to elaborate on them:

Interesting views

Final preparations - Building the Mallam Stair

What's this? What do they think we're doing here? 60l concrete mixer!!!

This is more like it!

The Chateau as spotted from afar.

The Chateau as seen on Google Map

Finally, the BIG day has arrived!!! Let's pour the Chateau.

Today we are going to pour the first floor slab of The Chateau! Even though there are a couple of disturbing clouds in the distance the weather forecast announces a fair weather.

The pouring however, is a substantially bigger. In fact, it is the biggest job in this project so we would require more men. There is no benefit in running your team ragged, putting them in a position where they have to battle all day against the race of finishing the job.

In this regards, I've scouted around and found Alex and Alex Concreters (30 Ghanian Concrete Men) to handle this stage of the project.

Starting as early as possible is key here and everyone (the NextHome team, Alex and Alex concreters, the mixer and all other materials) were on the site and ready at 7:00 AM.

Let the game begin.

Quick Meeting

We are having a very quick meeting to establish designated tasks, delegate responsibilities and give warning to all the guys to make sure to be careful with the exposed plumbing pipes and electrical conduit and the referee blows the whistle.

Game on!

Amazing speed by the concrete guys. Everything is running like a well oiled machine. We are pouring section by section.

There won't be any need for a generator today.

I need to go and arrange the concrete guys pay as the work is nearing completion. Did I just say 'completion'? Wait for picture updates in the next 150 minutes!

brabus: I need to go and arrange the concrete guys pay as the work is nearing completion. Did I just say 'completion'? Wait for picture updates in the next 150 minutes!

Glory be to the Almighty God. Good luck. Standing-by for the photo updates.

Hajji Mufutau

First floor slab finished. Pouring the staircase and few beams around the void section.

The big day has finally arrived and we've completed our first slab pour without any glitches. The excitement was palpable at the site.

Breaks for the guys are on a rotation basis because the concrete has to keep flowing.

Stage 3 Completed!!! Stage 4 (Upper Block Work) and Stage 5 (Crafting and Pouring of the Parapet) commences immediately.

The carpenter and the iron benders will be working on the forms and reinforcement for the parapet while we form the upper floor.

Pouring the Chateau: Teams and Designation

The first team mix, pack and places the concrete. In fact, they were moving like ants carrying sugar or bread crumb. Before you bat an eyelid, another set is coming. Here are the team members at work

Placing the concrete

Pouring the Chateau: Teams and Designation

The Second Team "Screeds" (Level) the Concrete. Screeding the floor is used to achieve a set level for the slab.

Pouring the Chateau: Attention to details

Special attention has been taken to ensure that all hollow spaces of the block are filled with concrete during the pour.

The concrete pour took around 5 hours (9:40am - 2:45pm), although it should have been completed in 4 hours 30 minutes. The main delay was caused by the iron bender who is notorious for these sorts of slides.

We poured 73 cubic meters, the slab was 6in thick over an approximate area of 348 square meters. Now we need to cure the slab with water. However, I've got a workaround to the 3 days spraying with water. Read next post...

Pouring the Chateau - Curing the Slab

It's already 4 hours since the Chateau was poured and we need to cure the slab. WHY?

It is important to keep freshly poured concrete from drying out too quickly during the 'curing' period This is necessary in order to achieve full bond between all of the ingredients (Sand, Cement and Granite) and to also prevent crack. This is achieved by spraying the slab with water everyday for 2 days or more to ensure the slab stay wet.

Here is another method been employed on the slab to achieve full bonding of all ingredients. It is known as ponding. All we need to do is to put sand around the edge of the slab and then flood the slab with water. That way the slab stay wet!!!

Hope you'll like this new method.

Curing the slab

Milestone Achieved. Thanksgiving Mode Activated

The Chateau

The day we've all been waiting for is over and it is a total success. I can't wait to do a little jig on this slab tomorrow.

Hope someone is not missing the road

Haha, it is the Team Staircase

More pics from the construction site

You remember this picture?

brabus: Pouring the Chateau - Curing the Slab

It is important to keep freshly poured concrete from drying out too quickly during the 'curing' period This is necessary in order to achieve full bond between all of the ingredients (Sand, Cement and Granite) and to also prevent crack. This is achieved by spraying the slab with water everyday for 2 days or more to ensure the slab stay wet.

Here is another method been employed on the slab to achieve full bonding of all ingredients. It is known as ponding. All we need to do is to put sand around the edge of the slab and then flood the slab with water. That way the slab stay wet!!!

Hope you'll like this new method.

The method is very good... I have to commend you on the job well done.
But supposed you did not use the "sand around the edge method", how many times a day
is the slab supposed to be watered, once, twice, thrice? Sorry, just trying to learn the curves. Thanks.

Hajji Mufutau