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Showing posts with label Design Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Design Tips. Show all posts

5.03.2016

Low Cost Home Water Problem Solution




What a stroke of luck, neighboring Homeowners worked together and solved the water issue that caused both basements to leak.

In the following Diagram is the layout of the water problem area in the Gangway between House A and House B.
Diagram is the layout of the water problem area in the Gangway between House A and House B

Here is the low cost eco friendly water problem solution diagram that solves the water collecting in the Gangway between the two Buildings.
low cost eco friendly water problem solution diagram that solves the water collecting in the Gangway between the two Buildings

French Drain Exit Point- water naturally travels down the drain to the exit point where it flows deeper into the yard and away from the Home’s Foundation eliminating the water from entering into the basement.

Gangway Water Issue and Solution
Submitted May 3, 2016- Offer Expires May 31, 2016 (based on prices of needed materials)
Scotty
Scotts Contracting St Louis MO

Overview

House A initiated inquiry into eliminating water entering basement.  House A has Stone Foundation.  Inquiry with House B also has water infiltration issues in basement with stone foundation and is not opposed to hooking up drain collection point for both homes.

Goals

  1. Eliminate the Water Infiltration into Basement for both Homes
  2. Eco Friendly Options Requested
  3. Repurpose and Upcycle Building Materials where possible
  4. Match Existing Building Aesthetics
  5. Affordable

Existing Problem

Sidewalk directs water towards foundation of House A and B instead of directing water away from home and foundation.  Heavy Rain showers cause water to enter into basements further deteriorating the existing mortar in the Stone Foundations.

Solutions and Options

  • Expensive: Remove and Replace Existing Concrete Sidewalk with new concrete and install drainage system
  • Less Expensive: Recover existing Concrete Sidewalk and install drainage system
  • Least Expensive: Reposition and Recover Existing Concrete Sidewalk and install drainage system.

Safety Issues

  1. Water Leads to Mold- If both homes have had water infiltration into the basement Mold growing on Stone Foundations is not uncommon,,.
  2. Before Digging Call Underground Burial Locator Service [ Dig Rite ]
  3. Scotty chose not to utilize House B Roof Drainage Collection Point- If the lateral drainage line in House B ever was blocked- all the water collected on House B Roof in addition to water collected in French Drain Tile System would allow the water to collect and pool between the houses and water would not be diverted away from basements.

Notes

  1. Scotty will donate I leftover French Drain Tile from a previous project to use as the water collection and water diverter drain tile-$.
  2. Portions of the Existing Concrete Walk will need replaced.  These chunks of sidewalk after removal could be incorporated into the French Exit Drain Point in Garden Area.

Costs

  1. Expensive

  2. Less Expensive

$2,000-$3,000
  1. Least Expensive

$1,200-$1,800




Additional Information and Links from Document:





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10.03.2015

Construction Tip #89777 Metal Baluster Caps

CUSTOM STAIR BUILD TIP  Metal BALUSTERS Cap #89777 BY SCOTTY

Time and Labor saving tips by Scotty used in Building these Custom Modern Stairs.  I snapped a few photos to help you build your own custom stairs and for an example of how the construction tip was used in the example. 


Contract Labor Project



Custom Modern Stairs is part of a Green Build Renovation Project located in Downtown StLouis Missouri


Holding Stair Spindle Caps In Position Easily


The Modern Decorative Metal Stair Spindle Caps have a set screw that may or may not hold the cap in place.  

To prevent the cap from falling out of place in the future the caps were glued in place.  

While waiting for the glue to dry use ~ Spring Loaded Clothes Pin to hold the caps in position ~.  
~ Spring Loaded Clothes Pin to hold the caps in position ~



Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference and create a future that will benefit everyone. Build a Green StLouis Green Building Tips and Resources via: Scotty- St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog
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Custom Modern Stairs Dark Stain Oak

Custom Stair Build Tip Metal Balusters #89764 by Scotty

Time and Labor saving tips by Scotty used in Building these Custom Modern Stairs.  I snapped a few photos to help you build your own custom stairs and for an example of how the construction tip was used in the example.

Contract Labor Project






The Modern Decorative Metal Stair Spindles have that twisted metal do-dad for appearances and aesthetics and should maintain the same slope of the stairway- per client.  

This is accomplished by:

  1. setting up a string line at the proper height at the
  2. upper most decorative spindle and the 
  3. lowest decorative spindle.
  4. Pull the string line taunt
  5. Tape the String Line to the Post
  6. you have the same height at both ends of the stairway.
  7. The Taunt String Line is your guideline for setting the remaining Decorative Spindles at the Same Height and slope of the Stair Case.


#89764 Setting Metal Decorative Stair Balusters Evenly
Modern Decorative Metal Stair Spindles have that twisted metal do-dad for appearances and aesthetics should maintain the same slope of the stairway- as this client requested. 

Upper View #89764 Setting Metal Decorative Stair Balusters Evenly
 Taunt String Line is your guideline for setting the remaining Decorative Stair Balusters "Do-Dads" at the Same Height and slope of the Stair Case.









Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference and create a future that will benefit everyone. Build a Green StLouis Green Building Tips and Resources via: Scotty- St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

2.20.2014

Natural Swimming Pool Design Information

Natural Swimming Pool 


Natural Swimming Pool design by scotty






Plan View Natural Swimming Pool Design with Fish Habitat and Jacuzzi, Handicap Access Ramp, Fountain, Aquatic Plant Habitat, Pump House 

CAD by Scotty-Natural Swimming Pool Design


While creating the Families future Hemp Home.  The Girls all pointed out that they needed a Swimming Pool.
This honestly didn't cross my mind as I planned to locate the Hemp Home in a rural location that bordered on a lake or natural spring.

        Why would we need a swimming pool?

        Do they know how much energy a swimming pool uses?  We have to put up more Solar Panels to cover the electricity use.

I mentioned, "Is a traditional chlorine pool the best option?",

Natural Swimming Pool Design with Fish Habitat and Jacuzzi, Handicap Access Ramp, Fountain, Aquatic Plant Habitat, Pump House
Natural Swimming Pool Design with Fish Habitat and Jacuzzi, Handicap Access Ramp, Fountain, Aquatic Plant Habitat, Pump House 
"Have you looked at any Natural Swimming Pools?"

Quickly answered by: "We're not swimming in no green pool !!!"

Luckily google[1] came thru and found a slew of images on Natural Swimming Pool Images

Natural Swimming Pool

Disaster averted!!! 

The Girls love the designs and when I mentioned that it won't turn their hair yellow and dry their skin out--the unanimous mutual agreement was:

"Yes Build It !!!- Scotty"




So here are some of the suggested techniques for building a Natural Swimming Pool as used in the following Natural Swimming Pool Designs by Scotty

Design Information

  • Reserving at least 50 percent of your pool's surface area for shallow plants, either at one end or in a ring around the sides, eliminates the need for chlorine and expensive filters and pumps. You'll want to separate the swimming area of your pool and the filtration area, or plant zone (see the illustration in the image gallery).

  • The water needs to circulate continuously for the plants' roots to cleanse the pool. You also may need to aerate the water so the water organisms' oxygen needs are met.

Without adequate oxygen, your pool could become stagnant, harboring odoriferous anaerobic bacteria.

  • Besides cleaning the water and making your pool beautiful to behold, the shallow plant zone warms the water quickly and provides habitat for frogs and many invertebrates. They'll appreciate the shallow water for breeding grounds and repay the favor by eating mosquito larvae.


  • A rim within an inch of the water's surface keeps plants in their place but allows water from the swimming area to move to the plant zone for filtering, As water passes through the fibrous root structure of the plants, bacteria concentrated on the plants' roots act as a biological filter, removing contaminants and excess nutrients in the water. Decomposer organisms, also found in the plants' root zones, consume the bacteria, effectively eliminating underwater waste buildup.

  • Inside the plant zone, the water should get steadily deeper, reaching a maximum depth of 18 inches near the swimming zone. The outermost 6 inches of the plant zone will be 2 to 3 inches deep, providing a home for taller aquatic plants. Submergent and floating vegetation occupy the deeper area.[2][3][4][5][6][7] pics








Aerator Fountain Feature



Top View

Pool View from Patio Home

For More Information Contact Scotty
[1] 2011. Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds - Inspiration Green. http://www.inspirationgreen.com/natural-pools-swimming-ponds.html.






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