₦airaland Forum

mavverick:
That's what I was saying that in Nija, its not common for contractor to use their own money to do the work first, maybe with government contracts etc. But that's out of scope here.

With government projects, there's what is called an Advanced Project Guarantee (APG). Its taken from banks and the bank now acts like an escrow account for the project until the contractor gets to a particular stage where he can free himself from the the bank guarantee.

This has its own problems depending on the banks and your relationship with them. We took ours from former Intercontinental Bank and had little issues cos we had a long history of relationship with them.

But we had a raw deal with Zenith and Access cos apart from the fact that they get a percentage from the APG, those banks put a lot of road blocks to collecting our money. They will come to site after getting clearance from the client to pay up and review all the works looking for loopholes not to pay. We discovered on both occasions that they just needed the money to stay with them as long as possible, at all cost. This delayed the project until the client officially directed that they move the APG account out of the bank ( for access), and had to pay Zenith bank the part collected with interest and cancelled the APG from them.


APGs are payed back to the banks ( with interest) by the client after an agreed period or stage of the project; from the contract sum.

The project has to be a huge for one to get APG cos the contractor will also factor the bank interest into the contract sum. Interest differs from bank to bank

EgunMogaji:
Please educate me on something called "foundation panelling".

It was proposed to me to be a cost saving method to do my bungalow foundation since we'll be doing a german floor anyways.

Thanks.

Foundation panelling. It helps when you want to make repairs that require removing the concrete slab. You just remove or break the slab of the panel within the area you want to work on. At least that's what I know.

EgunMogaji:
You're welcome Sir.

I intend to have an aluminum tank built for me. The sizing of it will depend on the output pressure I desire. As you stated so eloquently the larger the volume of the source tank the more pressure you'll get at the output if everything is equal.

There are also various tricks one can use to increase pressure. You can simply use a smaller valve coming out, this narrowing of the stream increases pressure. Think of a garden hose when you are washing cars.

Nice. This goes back to the argument I was having. Tricks to improve pressure from an overhead water storage.

You know, the size of the tank has to be commensurate with the rate of water use. If its too small, you'd have low pressure and maybe overworked pumps and flow switch; while if its too big ( much bigger than the rate of use, as determined by family size amongst other factors), you'll have the tank building up sedimentation and would require frequent cleaning. The water might also attract bacteria.

Now the argument, if we determine that we can't have a large tank based on use, we can change the size of the outlet pipe from the tank. The contention was whether to make it smaller or to make it larger. I had to conceed that making the pipe larger would guarantee more pressure.

Pressure, especially from a High level tank is formed/ affected by the weight of water under gravity multiplied by the cross sectional area of its container. When the container is the tank you have the effect of pressure for a tank; while having the commensurate pressure for water in a pipe before it comes out, as the diameter of that pipe.

Practically, I noticed that the pressure from the tap at our car park is much higher than the one in the house. I later noticed that the pipe entering my flat was half inch while the one that goes to the other flat ( and branching to the car park) is one inch. Surfice to say, if the tap outside or the one in the other flat is opened, water pressure drops at my place. If I had 2inches pipe entering my house, I'm sure I'll be having the higher pressure.

If you want to get higher pressure, increase the pipe size from the source.

EgunMogaji:
1. The height doesn't affect the performance of the manifold at all. The height is chosen based on serviceability and ease of access. Mine will be installed at standing height so that I can easily turn the whole shebang off when I bounce out of the country.

2. Yes, easy output line is controlled by it's own tap, 1/4 turn tap that uses a specific wrench (included) to turn it on, off or in between. The manifold is not powered at all. The job of a manifold, even in a cars intake or exhaust manifold is to equalize pressure. That being said the input requires some specific water pressure. I can't remember what it is from the top of my head. Here in the US we have great water pressure coming in from the city water main line, enough pressure that we even have to install a water pressure regulator to reduce the pressure before it gets to the house (pic #1).

The higher your elevated water tank then the more pressure that you'll get due to gravity. My plan is to not have my EWT too high (I have a bungalow) so everything I planned accordingly. I will choose my faucets diligently to make sure that their flow is in line with what I'm doing.

So with a moderately high EWT, a pressure regulator, a manifold, a home run piping system (each faucet with it's own line off of a manifold) then pressure surges will be reduced if not eliminated, water will be saved (since output is being measured and controlled), etc

So the manifold is not powered at all.

Try to watch some YouTube videos (search for Viega ManaBloc) and maybe that will help you understand this a little bit more better. It's a great system that solves a lot of plumbing ills. Oh yeah one more thing, no soldering or gluing needed

PS: If you have time, watch this video as it explains how a manifold works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy9w7bNJWfY

Wonderful explanation. Thanks.

Thinking back now. I am a little conversant with it ( or at least its variant). I used a pipe called PPR on one of my sites. The primary use was just to avoid the use of elbow joints in piping. I guess this also serves the same purpose excluding the manifold.

I have to say though, I hope you wont have to fully open most of the valves. Cos the pressure from the overhead tank ( say 500L, unless bigger ), may not be enough considering the size of the pipes going in from the manifold.

Thanks anyways. I can now face this lady of mine better prepared

Orikinla:
[size=18pt]Olashore International School and other private secondary schools in Nigeria have better hostels.
If that toilet and bedroom are what OP is calling beautiful, then the OP must be coming from the worst ghetto in Nigeria.[/size]

That school is quietly becoming the defacto school for the affluent in this country.

Though I'm sure with Buhari redeeming back our stolen wealth. Some of those schools will have much less patronage.

EgunMogaji:
Water and electricity lines will travel from the distribution centers in the garage through the ceiling to various locations.

In studying my floor plan in critical detail to see how to get this done.

So far in some areas I can come down the corners of the room and travel behind counters, hide the plumbing and wiring behind trims.

Not going to be easy but I like challenges.

As far as the water distribution manifold, I don't know why any modern man would build their personal homes without it today.

OK. Thanks for explaining bro.

I have some concerns tho ( since we are sharing knowledge here); but I have to know a bit more first before I voices these.

1. What height is the distribution board placed? From the pix you posted above, it looks like its at the man's standing height, that's around 1.8-2m.

2. You said the water pressure/volume can be adjusted at the board, does that mean there are taps there to manually check the flow of water to some pipes as against others; or the board is powered and automatically pumps water to other pipes to equalize, for instance, the shower hot water as the toilet is flushed?

Now to my concerns. From experience, the height of your tank( for high level gravity storage), the the size of your pipe from the tank and at the outlet, the average distribution height of your pipes all affect the pressure of water coming out and the differentials when one outlet is used against the other. The sizes of pipes I see used in the pix, and the height of the board might suggest that the problem of water pressure differentials may not be totally solved unless the board is powered somehow to increase pressure where and when needed.

If the board is powered, it now leads to the second concern which is that first, you need to have constant electricity ( else the distribution becomes just like normal piping); and second, that if all the outlets are used at same time, because you need some more water in some outlets that others; users of some outlets will still complain that the water isn't coming out with the right amount of pressure.

Its a lot of words and I'm trying to type it before I forget it all. Hope you get what I'm saying so far though?

EgunMogaji:
This in Ibadan, and in a village, not Lagos.

Since this is the first time I'm using him, let me sample him first before giving him a recommendation. He's a block maker near my site.

Ibadan sharp sand? Didn't know its that cheap though... Awaiting your recommendation.

EgunMogaji:
ManaBloc is a manifold water distribution system. Basically water from an outside source arrives at the manifold and there are lines (different models for different number of outputs). In my build I have 6 hot water outlets and 14 cold water outlets. So I'm adding 2 each for future expansion. SO I need a model that has 8 hot water outlets and 16 water outlets at least.

Each outlet from the manifold has a direct like to each outlet in the house. The benefits is water savings since you can control the volume/pressure of each line and even run 3/8 or 1/4 or 1/2 line as the faucet needs. It also eliminates what happens sometimes in older homes when someone is showering and looses pressure and gets cold water because someone flushed the toilet. It's just the way to go. And the hoses are very slim to can fit better within the walls . It's very cool.

If it's good enough for Bob Villa then it's good enough for me

http://www.bobvila.com/articles/manabloc-systems/#.VcuxXXitFSU

OK. I'm following you too. Good education here. My woman mentioned something just like this when we were discussing options for managing low pressure in water pipe situations. I just couldn't picture it well then...

But you mentioned you wouldn't want the walls broken, how do you hope to to get the distribution done then? Externally along the wall? pls explain?

brabus:
Affordable Toilet Solution by Biofilcom

Nigeria is home to over 15 percent of the Africa's population that uses traditional septic tank sewage system. These sewages flows in open drains (soakaway), causing contamination of ground as well as river water. This has serious health implications and is consequently a big economic burden.



Biofil Toilet Digester based on anaerobic biodegradation of organic waste by unique microbial consortium in Ghana, was conceived and developed for use in areas with high water tables, hilly and rocky sites where traditional septic tank cannot be easily installed.
In this system, faecal matter is decomposed to bits and converted into water and little of carbon dioxide & methane gas. It is totally maintenance-free system and does not require any sewerage system.

Benefits Of Bio-Digester Toilets

- Compact in size
- Quick installation
- Zero maintenance
- No residual solids waste
- No foul smell
- Only water discharge
- No need for big Sewage treatment plants
- Mitigates pollution of underground and river water
- Solid residue can be easily used as manure
- No need for extra cost of cesspit emptying.


Prominent Customers of BioFil Toilet Digester

1. GTBank Branches (Chevron, Lagos Island, VI and more)
2. Secretariat Alausa
3. Residential dwellings in various part of Lagos.
4. Commercial centers


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fk4c3oVAu4

Can you pls explain more about this.

Does it not need evacuation at all? What area does it occupy? What is its capacity in terms of housing units for wastes it can handle?

velo10:
Tell him to call 08132279618. To check my capability, view the site on my signature

OK.

@danmention and @nairalander01 I've tried replying you both but got mailers daemon.

I'll add up your nos.

Modified.

I'll just send your numbers to him. Tell him you're from Engr Tunde when he calls. Give him good rates o!

A friend of mine is requesting for a web designer. He wants to have a site like ajebomarket.com or better.

Pls check the site to know exactly what he wants.

tomakint:
When I remember a full display of hilarious 'Aro' that is uniquely unique only to Awoites I remembered my days in OAU, although a Fajuites but the memories of Great Ife Awoites linger on indeed, Ife na elele, Ife na waya o (2x); no school be like am, no campus fine like am, e ho, e ho, Ife na elele.

Its hard to see a core OAU person becoming a TANoid tho.

Maybe its the Faj hall spirit sha.

EgunMogaji:
Nah, no need for that. Ibadan culture, standing and demonstrated contribution to the Nigerian fabric is well documented.

As far as for brown roofs, well all I can say is that my accessory buildings will be covered with the traditional tin roof and the rusting encouraged/accelerated to lend ambience to my compound. How can I be an original omo Ibadan without rusty tin roof? "Ko le se le rara, oti doro apara".

Lol. Well I won't say I want to encourage that your use of tin roof. You'll be surprised that the reason we have that many building having the rust is because they have lasted that long without needing replacement. If you go put tin roof of today's quality, your house will leak!

By that time I'm sure you'd have fallen in love with aluminum long span anyway.

I was being shown our farmstead over the weekend. Its now a town, and I wonder whether we will have farmlands anymore the way Ibadan is developing.

Omo aj'oro sun representing.

mufutau55:
Nature of Naija security oh. In NYC, they made them to opened... meaning it's hinged on one side and locked on the other with some kind of mechanism... Either way.. FIRE no good...

Hajji M.

You are exactly right sir. This same method is being used here in Nigeria too. The burglary proof is either made to be hinged on one side or detectable from inside.

Apart from security, the are some AC ledges you want to get to without getting ladders, those detacheable types will help with that.

Unless what you're saying is different though.

@ egunmogaji, so you're one of the silent Ibadan guys that jump and pass when they call Ibadan brown roof place abi?

brabus:
True words!

It's good to showcase your projects but I've discovered that advertising is a tax you have to pay if you have a bad product. So if you have a truly great product, people will talk about it and awareness builds without any advertising.
Get social (Facebook, twitter, nairaland, Instagram etc), focus on delivering quality projects and your satisfied clients and the power of word-of-mouth will do the rest for you. No project is small.

Just share it.

Lol. Thanks.


Its not that I've handled small or unadvertiseable projects o. Funny I haven't. My first job was a road construction project in Benue state. Grossly underpaid, but I made sure I used to opportunity to learn all I needed to know. I was poached into my next coy that mainly dealt with Lagos state govt building projects. This was 2008.

We handled fashola's pioneer housing estate in ikorodu, did some schools buildings in surulere, ikeja and ipaja where I was a contractor on some and a consultant at others. More than two of these projects had companies like ARUP and MORENO as consultant and contractors respectively. Up til 2011.

Its not the small size of the project that is my concern as much as a weakness of not drawing attention to myself if and when I decide to post pictures. Especially as I have other things running in my mind and may not have the required attention span to answer all questions with explanation as I would want, for projects I post.

ThankGod. I have not had any projects with technical issues. I have had with money though, but I was the victim there and it was due to my naivety.

HsLBroker:
if you don't show case what you do how can it be scrutinize for betterment and more job, continue hidding yourself under the pillow, GOD WILL SEE YOU THROUGH.

Well showcasing is one thing, have something interesting to share and having the time to share it and be online to answer questions quickly is another thing.

Maybe it would have helped me advertise myself but I'm quite intense at doing what I do. Constantly looking for ways of making a process better. If I exposed myself early here too early, before i was sure of what i know and do ( this came from established consulting and construction coys) who knows, I may have made mistakes...and I detest failures.

The projects I wanted to post here but didn't have the energy for included the construction of a 40 unit estate in lekki. But I wanted to focus more on the external works that really tasked me. Had a central, packaged sewage treatment plant and we had to deliver within a seriously fast tracked schedule. Or other projects where the construction of staircases can become a nut to crack cos of space constraints. To share the knowledge of the problem factors and not the whole construction process; but I wasn't sure ppl would understand my intent, besides it wasn't my real interest which was current affairs.

allen0000:
80% of NL Builders are not qualified to build. Clients should be careful[/size][size=8pt][font=Lucida Sans Unicode][/font]

This is a little better than your previous statement, though it may still not be factual. Its not all builders or engrs that showcase their works here.

There are quite a few guys that I even know of who are not into showcasing their works. I for instance, have been working since 2007 and (by Gods grace) have not really had a break totaling up to 2months. Maybe its laziness but I prefer gisting in the politics section.

Life has thought me to be myself always, and that includes not trying to force a gift I don't have. Hence, I prefer being one of the readers on here, quietly observing and respecting the good works of others. There are many other like me on this forum trust me.

P.S. pls o! I'm looking for a supplier of packaged water treatment plant. Not plant making packed (plastic bottled) water o! An ensuite water treatment plant if I may say so.

Aventures:
Too bad I saw things like this coming and I quickly spread my tentacles outside Nairaland. I know greed of some frolicking quacks on NL will bring all of us to disrepute, drag all our hard earn integrity and trust into mud to the point that no one will be willing to hire us. Too bad that this is happening now when many people in diaspora are taking solace in online hiring since trusting family memebers is even worst and, now see Nigerians.
It took some of us great sacrifice to built this trust, respect and integrity that people of diaspora have in Nairaland property section today even to a point of working without making any gain, several insults and pains.
Only this year alone I have rejected project worth # 60 million naira put together even including this one in question simply because I will rather sleep hungry than to bring a disrepute to our Honour.

Now I am so scared of this project, there was a time I raised an alarm on this project. I wrote an article long enough to buttress my point but no one took me serious. Only God knows the integrity of this structure.

The question is will this house be habitable after partial collapse here and there in the course of construction?

I have written this comment out of my sincere heart pains, if our brothers in diaspora can not trust us how do we gain trust, respect and honour of people of men and women of another race.

Please do not consider me bragging here, because mentioned volume of work I rejected, many that knows me well know I came on board as an article writter to enlighten people, builders and even students, and a lot of people could testify that I have offered free structural services via phone conservation and atimes beyond that.

I can testify to the last paragraph. I've asked you questions and you provided answers that helped shape my decision twice. I'm sure you can't really tell who I am from here though. Its been some years now.

I don't think I can say this enough. For any prospective home owner or builder; if the building is more than a storey, get a Civil Engr, preferably one with experience and/or proven track record.

His job would be to certify that reinforcement and concrete works are done to standards and changes to building design can be run through him for necessary quality adjustments.

If you have to negotiate a certain percentage away from the supervision amount to incorporate this, do it.

An architect is currently working on a 6x 3bedroom building. He call himself a contractor cos he could get the artisans together. He has plasterers the building and is ready for painting but I fear for the occupants; and while I told him my fears and how to rectify them, I don't think he followed it or understood it was that critical. If it was my site, I would insist on thé rectification else count me out of that project. Its a situation that would have been even prevented had the client ( or the contractor) made use of a CIVIL ENGR.

segcymoor:
Damn! My imagination never failed me but it does now
.As a matter of fact, I thought someone is trying to defend brabus against all allegations against him. Perhaps, he was able to impress a client.






Brabus, my dear brother but why??
I must confess I silently admire u along side my 'lexus guy' (it's cool sighting u cruising with ur babe at lekki last time. Keep up good work! ) u guys have eye for details
I may need to inform you u are blessed with good worker's especially canpeter and bricklayers :
Although, I can feel ur pain having being in the same field. ..client could be funny at times (apology )

For instance., almost everyone here knew that the first piling project I did is not profitable for me but rather gbese In the process. I used to collect money in advance from the client in question (fikanrako na ni )

But I kept assuring my client that I won't demand for a penny more than what we signed on.

However, to make matters worse, I stated it clearly that roofing noggins is not involved in the carcass (stated in the contract agreement. )But the client insisted I need to do it. Perhaps, due to my personal attitude towards money. ......I just let go.
Today, the project has being completed despite all odds. I didn't sale my house or get loan to complete it.......it's profit from the consequences project (ayinmora won ni)

Bros, abeg take am easy. You can do better!

I can relate to most thing said here , especially the part in bold.

Hope brabus gets this resolved soonest as the best way contractors get jobs is by referrals.

JW214:
There is no part of this form where he was asked if he has any other nationality. The question here is do you voluntarily aquire any other nationality and the answer is NO or did you change your nationality in the past and the answer is NO because there is no record so far that he has change being a Nigerian to a South African.

As at the time of his birth he is a British by reason of his birth on British soil and not by naturalization. So he didn't voluntarily obtain this nationality. At birth he holds dual nationality which is not a crime in Nigeria or Britain.

Another question is can someone with Dual nationality can hold such political office, if that is No, then Fayemi, who hold british nationality and Tinubu, Ajimobi and co who still hold USA citizenship as at when they were governors are guilty of this same crime.

Simple!

I like your analogy. This is the closest to a real defense of the Saraki issue here.

But if its not legal to hold a political post while having the citizenship of another country, will the fact that others got away with it save him?

Also, have you seen the misrepresentation part where he put his date of birth instead of country? Whats your thought on that?

Pls, I need contact(s) of firms based in Nigeria that are into PACKAGED Water Treatment Solutions, or can supply such.

zicoraads:
My point exactly. I am all for truth and accountability. If Dasuki has been found to have diverted monies meant for weapons and allowances of our soldiers, by all means haul him to Guatanamo Bay if possible. If the DSS had showed receipts and evidence of transactions that pointed to the fact that he used those monies for personal gain, I will sing their praises to the heavens.

When the news broke, and a friend of mine was screaming witch hunt, I told the friend to relax, that the DSS might be trying to get account of how we budgeted trillions for defence and our soldiers are still complaining of weapons and salaries.

And then I saw bullet proof cars being paraded...I hissed! Permit or not, if bullet proof cars are the reason they went after him, as they want us to believe, then am afraid they have nothing on him. Dasuki is a prince, he has money. He made a lot of money during IBB's regime. The man can afford hundred of those cars.

This makes sense. Except that even if the DSS goes into any house with a search warrant, and all they bring out are just files they cart away; they would have still been deemed to have done their job.

Talking about the bullet proof cars and army security ( for which the DSS is right about), is just like a policeman stopping a car for speed driving and finding out the driver's high on illegal drugs.

TonySpike:
I am most intrigued by inventions of "Kanako" and "ofe" by our forefathers. These two charms would make Harry potter and his minions jealous of African science. As a scientist, "Kanako" is a called road shortener, actually it should be called "space-time manipulator". How were our fathers able to develop these potent charms that rubbishes modern physics law of relativity? Ofe is simply a simpler form of "space-time manipulations", in those days, "ofe" was only invoked when in danger.

Now, my thoughts:
1. Could our forefathers have used Kanako to travel from one point to another while migrating?


On a softer note, there existed a form of Kanako in Igbo culture. With Kanako, you could travel from Lagos to Kano in a matter of seconds!

Maybe gatiano can have a few explanations on this...

Op didn't add that all these charms have their [I]ewo[/I]. You will be forbidden to do some things, some of which are difficult and with difficult consequences.

Obiagelli:
It should be done on all networks, you load 100 naira for instance and 90 naira appears on your balance while 10 naira goes to the insurance fund. I don't think it should be voluntary, that way everyone is contributing

Making it compulsory will have road blocks as regards the law and personal rights.

Obiagelli:
The latter

OK. Yeah I support this. If its done on all networks. Don't even know where my airtel sim card is ( assuming its only in Airtel)

Let me get this, is it that we buy a N100 recharge card and post the whole amount to a code for the insurance company; or we buy whatever amount of recharge card and only get 90% value since the 10% remaining will be transfered to the insurance coy.

Both ideas above at good, but I prefer the latter.

EgunMogaji:
Sir, so if I'm reading you correctly, this will also apply to a DPC for a bungalow. Doing the DPC before raising the walls will allow the load to be spread, right?

Thanks.

A dpc is quite different. Cos you can do that for strip and even pad foundation, though oversite concrete is preferable.

On a dpc the flooring spreads load but doesn't "carry" the building like a slab in a raft foundation.

Regardless of the building on top. If you've decided on raft, do the slab.

You have buildings with raft and you'll have bungalows on it, maybe because if the soil type or the client might want to later increase the floors.

Qc1:
^^^

@semitunde

As you can see from the pictures, this building structure in unique not a bungalow (there are 4 rooms upstairs). The builder didn't do the slab before the raft, he just did the raft directly which is the reason why the house sank this much (and I hope I'm wrong).The area is not a sand filled but my property happened to be at the extreme end of the block and swampy.

Hmmm. I hope you're wrong about not doing the slab initially. When was the slab finally done? After superstructure block wall? To what stage?

Many don't realise, for a raft foundation to be effective, the slab has to be there. In a raft, technically the slab carries the weight of the building. The raft beams only keep the soil under the building within the raft area. It may be a little confusing, but if the slab isn't there the foundation is as good as a strip foundation.

Ive looked at the pix well now. I also modified my comment above. Pls read everything again as I just added comments here abs there.

Good luck bro, and well done so far.