Comments on the Article on Interlocking Bricks

>Click here to read the article on Interlocking Bricks

KeralaArchitect.com said...
Thank you for all your comments and good wishes.

• Interlocking bricks are available in building material stores throughout Kerala.
• To know more about Interlocking Bricks, you may contact manufacturing centers in each district. They can provide strength test reports and modes of construction.
• Interlocking bricks can be used to construct Load bearing walls upto 2 floors.
  By providing beams and columns, they can be used to construct non-load bearing walls for many floors.
• Although Interlocking Bricks are manufactured in various sizes, the popular dimensions are- 6”x4”x10” and 8”x4”x10”.

Given below is the picture of a single-storeyed cost effective residence built using Interlocking Bricks-


Anu said...
Dear Friend,
This article contains most valuable information for who is interested in cost effective construction. Requesting to all please provide the details of the brick manufacturers.
Thank you for your effort.
Anura.A

Liju said...
Little sceptical about this concept, unless see a finished structre. Will be a great progress if it is true what is being claimed. Thanks for the information though.
Cheers

Prasad said...
Hi,
It is realy a valuable inforamtion. Please post or send me a mail about the manufacturers address.

Abhi said...
I am planning to use interlock blocks for my home construction. Please let me know of good references - manufacturers and labours. Also any good interior designer based on your experience
Thanks
Abhi

Ashok Kumar said...
I want to contact the suppliers for possible distribution in Bangalore. Please give contact details.
Ashok Kumar Singh

Siji said...
Even though the idea is good what about the yearly maintenance of protection of wall, similarly the safty aspect.
Adv.Siji

Marijan said...
Though I reside in Delhi and planning to build a home at Kerala, I get useful and effective infmn from KeralaArchitect.com.
Thanks dears and this cost effective measures to build a house is very useful. Pls carry on.
Marijan Jacob

Anoop said...
I would like to more about it .. pl give details of bricks ...
Rahul said...
What about the strength of the structure and how many floors can be constructed using this?
Regards Rahul C.Menon

Jamsheed said...
Thank you very very much your Information, Du you have any Experienced person to explain this matter. I really appreciate your suport. I am keep waiting your reply.
Thanks
Regards, Jamsheed Karuthedath

Abdul Shukoor said...
Thank you for this useful information. Is it possible to use this interlocking bricks for a 2 layer building?. Could you please give the details of interlocking bricks manufuactures?
Thank you, Mulla K Abdul Shukoor.

Sabarisan said...
Interested in interlocking bricks construction. can u specifiy the measurement of the brick
Sabarisan Valsala Krishnan

More links on Interlocking Bricks-

Technoseal Damp Proof Paint

Product Description
Technoseal Damp Proof Paint provides a waterproof membrane, used for water-proofing walls. Technoseal DPM is fast drying and can be applied to sound masonry by brush, roller or spray. Non-toxic, non-hazardous and solvent free liquid damp proof membrane suitable for walls both above and below ground.


Applications
Floors: Under/above screeds to provide a damp proof membrane.
Basements: As part of a waterproofing system beneath ground level.
Walls: Can be used under render or plaster as a water barrier or vapour barrier.
Tiling: As secondary protection under tiles in wet areas e.g. bathrooms, food processing areas, balconies, etc.
Water Storage: The membranes perform well in our tests even when continuously immersed in water.
Silage Storage: The membrane protects concrete from silage attack.


Advantages
Single pack system
Water based compounds that can be applied even to damp backgrounds
Non-toxic, non hazardous, solvent and plasticiser free
Good bond to many substrates
Toughness, high flexibility, extensibility and good crack bridging properties
Low water vapour permeability
Alkali resistant, can be applied to alkaline surfaces
Resistant to silage acids
Non staining and stain blocking
Available in a range of colours
Quick drying. Typically touch dry in 1 hour

Coverage
A minimum dried coating thickness of 0.6mm is needed to provide a physical barrier. This should be applied in a minimum of two coats (i.e 0.3mm per dried coat) This corresponds to approx 1.2kg/m².

For enquiries, contact:
Adorn Enterprises
Category: Interior Decorators and Designers Supplies and Accessories - Ernakulam
Contact: ABDUL SULHAR T K
S.R.M. Rd Enk North-682018. Phone: 0484-2405801

Plastering

Plastering plays an important role in good construction. Just as skin gives shape and texture to the body and protects it from the harmful environment, plaster protects the house from damage caused by salts, acid and rain in the external environment. It also makes the house look beautiful and attractive.

Often people complain of cracks on walls after plastering works. One of the reasons cited is lack of proper cement-sand ratio. Normally, for outside plaster, the cement-sand ratio can be from 1:4 to 1:5, for internal plaster from 1:5 to 1:6 and for roof plaster from 1:3 to 1:4.

For better results, check that the mason use a 1:4 ratio on mortar of cement and fine sand. For coarse sand, the ratio can be changed to 1:6. However 1:4 mix is preferred for best results. Make sure that the mason has not prepared the mix all together for the whole day. The mix must be prepared only in small quantities such that it is used up within an hour. If excess mortar is prepared, it dries up due to evaporation and remixing deteriorates strength and increases porosity.

The risk of cracks may be minimised by the use of relatively weak mix for finishing coat, avoiding excessive proportion of very fine material in the finish coat and avoiding excessive trowelling on the surface.

A major precautionary measure to be undertaken prior to plastering is to remove loose mortar and grease from joints. Another important task is that the wall should be wetted for a few hours.

The walls should not be soaked but only dampened evenly. Plastering on wet walls is seldom satisfactory because key is not formed between the plaster and the background surface. In an ideal state the background should be in saturated surface dry condition.

A good key is essential for successful rendering and for avoiding cracking and crazing. All joints in the masonry should be raked out to a depth of at least 12 mm with a hooked tool made for the purpose while the mortar is still green and not later than 48 hours of the time of laying.

The addition of water should be carefully monitored. Excess water will cause shrinkage as well as low strength of plaster. Waterproof compounds, if used should be uniformly dispersed and mixed properly.

Use a chicken wire mesh while plastering joints between the concrete work and brickwork. Plaster should be finished with a wood, felt, cork or other suitably faced float. A steel trowel shall not be used. Ensure continuous curing for 10 to 14 days.

When plastering is done in two coats, the first coat should be left rough and open from edge of the laying trowel and after it has been left long enough to set firm, the surface should be combed or scratched to form a key for the second coat. The first coat should be allowed to dry for three to five days before subsequent coats are applied.

More links on Plastering-

Malayalam Article on Metallic Roofing

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United Septic Tanks

Exfactory rates for United Septic Tanks are given Below.

Polyethylene   Qty               Size               Flushings/Day Rate

Type I          1     0.75 Mtr Ø X 2.50 Mtr          15        13600.00
Type II         1     1.00 Mtr Ø X 2.00 Mtr          25         19900.00
Type III        1     1.00 Mtr Ø X 2.50 Mtr          35         27200.00
Type IV        1     1.30 Mtr Ø X 2.30 Mtr          60         40800.00
Type V         1     1.60 Mtr Ø X 2.60 Mtr         100        59400.00

Freight Charges for different Districts-
(Rs.1800/- for Tvm,Klm,Kzhrd,Kanr,wyd,idki ),
(Rs.1200/- for Kozkd,Alpy,ktm,pathta ),
(Rs.900/- for Erm,palkd,mpm)
(Rs.500/- for Tcr)

Manufacturer's Notes-
The above mentioned rate is inclusive of all taxes.
Payment by DD in favor of United Polymers payable at Thrissur, along with your confirmed Purchase order.
Delivery within 5 days on receipt of your confirmed order.
Unloading and any other charges should be borne by the buyer.

The tanks are made of Virgin Polyethylene and colored in Terracotta color to meet the international color code for sewage line. The tanks are lined inside with black color to maintain 100% opacity to facilitate bacterial growth inside the tank.The tanks are provided with threaded lids and double walled for extra safety.

The tanks are made to ASTM standard as there are no Indian standards specified for Polyethylene septic tanks.

For more details, please contact-
 
United Sanitation Devices
United Building,
Amala Nagar P.O,
Thrissur Dt, Kerala,
India - 680555
Ph : +91 - 487 - 2307791, 2308792,
E-mail - unitedseptictanks@gmail.com,
enquiry@unitedseptictanks.com

Website: http://unitedseptictanks.com/

Pre-cast Septic Tanks

Almost 99% of homes in Kerala use septic tanks as a means of solid-waste disposal, unlike more developed economies that have centralized waste disposal systems. Until very recently, septic tanks were built on site using laterite blocks, brick or concrete, which accounted for high labour and material costs and were also not waterproof, which often led to ground water pollution; especially in water-logged areas. It is due to this mode of Septic Tank construction that Kerala Building Rules stipulate a minimum distance between the Septic Tank and the Well.

What is a Septic Tank?

A Septic Tank is a water-tight chamber into which faecal waste from toilets are deposited by means of sanitary pipes, which is then decomposed by bacterial action. An overflow pipe is provided from the Septic Tank to a Soak Pit to remove excess water so that undue pressure is not formed within the Septic Tank. A vent pipe is also provided to release methane and other gases that form within the chamber due to bacterial action.

Pre-cast Septic Tanks

Pre-cast Septic Tanks are manufactured in a factory and transported to the site for installation, thereby reducing Installation time and cost considerably. Moreover, the quality of the Septic Tank is also better than Cast-in-situ Septic Tanks as they are manufactured in Controlled environments in the factory, thus ensuring water-tightness and material consistency.

Pre-cast Septic Tanks are usually made of Polyethylene or Concrete. They have multiple chambers within them and a manhole for future maintenance. They have a diameter of about 1m and a length of about 2.5m depending on the number of water-closets attached to them.

Points to note during installation

1. Make sure that the manhole is on top while lowering the Septic Tank into the dug area.

2. Fill the Septic Tank with water completely before fixing the Sanitary Pipes, as a precaution against future settlement due to filled-weight.

3. Make sure that there are no stones, gravel or sharp objects below the Poly-ethylene septic tank. Place it on smooth earth.

4. An overflow pipe from the septic tank is to be connected to a Soak Pit, which should be able to let the excess water absorb into the soil. Do not locate the Soak Pit close to the well or any other fresh water source.

5. If the Septic Tank has not been used for a while, fill it up with water by pouring it through the water closet.

6. Avoid spilling soap, shampoo, phenol etc. into the water closet as this may kill the bacteria in the Septic Tank and prevent decomposition.

7. Vent-pipe should be raised high from the ground so as to prevent foul smell at normal habitable height.

8. A bit of diluted cowdung is advisable to be poured in the Septic Tank initially to activate bacterial decomposition.

9. Heavy objects or Heating should be avoided over Polyethylene Septic Tanks.

10. Use minimal water during flushing for better bacterial decomposition

More links on Pre-cast Septic Tank-

Kerala-Style Home Designs

If you are Planning to construct your house in Kerala, it is very important to compare various Kerala Design Styles. We bring you a CD of 30 House Plans in both PDF and AutoCAD formats to inspire you in the design of your Dream Home. The CD is Downloadable for an amount of Rs.450/- and also can be ordered as VPP to your Indian Address for an amount of Rs.500/- (Including Postage and Handling charges).

You can click here to Download Sample Drawings for Free and to order the KeralaArchitect.com House Plan CD>> http://www.keralaarchitect.com/gallery.htm

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