Building a firm foundation
THE wise builder built on a rock foundation and the foolish builder built on sand. When the storm came, the foolish builder was left without a roof over his head.
By Gilbert Agaba
THE wise builder built on a rock foundation and the foolish builder built on sand. When the storm came, the foolish builder was left without a roof over his head.
You know that tale from the Bible? Well, a firm foundation is still an issue of importance up to now.
While many builders may consider convenience, others consider strength, durability and cost efficiency when choosing the material to use in setting the foundation of a building. So, while one may choose to use bricks, another will opt for hardcore stone.
I once watched a construction team filling the foundation with hardcore stones for a site near a swampy area. I later discovered that the location of this house was the founding reason for choosing hardcore stones in the foundation.
“Water logged soils cannot effectively provide support for the house and therefore require a strong foundation provided by the thick wall of hardcore,†says John Kizito, a contractor with 15 years’ experience.
Hardcore is also good for soils that previously had anthills since they gradually collapse inwards.
Another merit hardcore has over bricks is that bricks absorb water and this weakens the foundation over time.
“Hardcore stones are impermeable to water and therefore maintain their resistance and strength,†Kizito adds.
From durability to cost efficiency, hardcore stones are a much better option over bricks.
Yiga Aloysius, a stone miner dealing in hardcore, says: “A small truck trip of hardcore goes for sh80,000 while a big truck goes for sh160,000. A similar truck trip of bricks goes for about sh400,000 to sh450,000 shillings depending on how much each brick costs and its quality, transport costs inclusive.â€
Even transportation of hardcore is cheaper.
“For the same piece of work, eight trips of hardcore worth sh720,000 might be required compared to three trips of bricks worth sh1.3,†says Kayondo another contractor.
Therefore even for economically sensitive builders who are informed, hardcore is undoubtedly the right way to go.
Even when the construction is underway, hardcore requires less mortar if effectively used, which saves more material and reduces the financial strain.
“Since the space of about eight bricks is occupied by one stone, there is less mortar used to cover up the spaces,†says John Kizito.
Kayondo adds that if small stones are added to the hardcore, there is even more mortar saved.
Why do builders still use bricks?
Despite all the mentioned advantages of hardcore, a majority of Ugandan builders still choose to use bricks. Hardcore stones are heavy and come with the demerit of inconvenience.
“Most builders do not like carrying the heavy hardcore stones because they are heavy and could cause serious injuries,†says Joseph Kibilango, a builder.
They prefer the bricks which are smaller and lighter, and make work easier.
“Other builders are so used to the bricks that they do not know how to use hardcore stones,†Kibilango adds.
THE wise builder built on a rock foundation and the foolish builder built on sand. When the storm came, the foolish builder was left without a roof over his head.
You know that tale from the Bible? Well, a firm foundation is still an issue of importance up to now.
While many builders may consider convenience, others consider strength, durability and cost efficiency when choosing the material to use in setting the foundation of a building. So, while one may choose to use bricks, another will opt for hardcore stone.
I once watched a construction team filling the foundation with hardcore stones for a site near a swampy area. I later discovered that the location of this house was the founding reason for choosing hardcore stones in the foundation.
“Water logged soils cannot effectively provide support for the house and therefore require a strong foundation provided by the thick wall of hardcore,†says John Kizito, a contractor with 15 years’ experience.
Hardcore is also good for soils that previously had anthills since they gradually collapse inwards.
Another merit hardcore has over bricks is that bricks absorb water and this weakens the foundation over time.
“Hardcore stones are impermeable to water and therefore maintain their resistance and strength,†Kizito adds.
From durability to cost efficiency, hardcore stones are a much better option over bricks.
Yiga Aloysius, a stone miner dealing in hardcore, says: “A small truck trip of hardcore goes for sh80,000 while a big truck goes for sh160,000. A similar truck trip of bricks goes for about sh400,000 to sh450,000 shillings depending on how much each brick costs and its quality, transport costs inclusive.â€
Even transportation of hardcore is cheaper.
“For the same piece of work, eight trips of hardcore worth sh720,000 might be required compared to three trips of bricks worth sh1.3,†says Kayondo another contractor.
Therefore even for economically sensitive builders who are informed, hardcore is undoubtedly the right way to go.
Even when the construction is underway, hardcore requires less mortar if effectively used, which saves more material and reduces the financial strain.
“Since the space of about eight bricks is occupied by one stone, there is less mortar used to cover up the spaces,†says John Kizito.
Kayondo adds that if small stones are added to the hardcore, there is even more mortar saved.
Why do builders still use bricks?
Despite all the mentioned advantages of hardcore, a majority of Ugandan builders still choose to use bricks. Hardcore stones are heavy and come with the demerit of inconvenience.
“Most builders do not like carrying the heavy hardcore stones because they are heavy and could cause serious injuries,†says Joseph Kibilango, a builder.
They prefer the bricks which are smaller and lighter, and make work easier.
“Other builders are so used to the bricks that they do not know how to use hardcore stones,†Kibilango adds.