Tag: plumbing

Home Building 101: Major Phases of Construction Part II

Today we’ll continue our conversation that we started last week when we began to go through the process of home construction.  We’ve already covered steps one and two, you can find that post here.

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Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC

When the frame of the house is finished and the initial inspection is passed, then the roofing and siding installation can installed and the contractors for plumbing and electrical can begin installing pipes and wires.  At this time, single piece shower and tub units are installed as well since it is easier to maneuver them into place before the interior walls and doors are finished.  Sewer lines, vents, water supply lines, and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are put into place after which insulation is installed in the ceilings, floors, and walls.  This is the perfect time for installing radiant floor heating.

Once the roof has been installed, the house is “dried in”.  This means that it is safe for the electrician to install the lights, light switches, electrical outlets, and run the wires from each of these to the breaker box.  Cable TV, music system cables, and telephone cables and also run at this time.

Inspections

After each of the above is installed, they will require an inspection to make sure that they meet the building code.  These are typically three separate inspections split into framing, plumbing and electrical, and mechanical systems.

Drywall Installation

After the inspections are successfully passed, drywall (also known as Sheetrock) will be installed.

Insulation Installation

Insulation is a critical part of home building especially for home owners in South Texas as we need to keep the heat out and the cool air from escaping; this can lead to some confusion since there are many types from which to choose.  We’ve gone over a few of these types in previous posts; you can read about fiberglass and foam insulation, cotton and cellulose insulation, or home insulation FAQ.  The majority of homes will need insulation in all exterior walls, the attic, and some floors that are above basements or crawl spaces.

Check back next week as we continue to explore the process of building a home.  Have a question about this process?  Drop us a comment below, we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Home Building 101: Major Phases of Construction

Every step of building your dream home is fresh, new, and exciting, but what exactly are those steps?  What happens when and how does it happen?  The actual home building process will vary according to your home builder’s particular way of doing things, but this is a general guide that will help you understand the building stages of your South Texas custom home.

Site Prep & Foundation Pouring

The initial stage of your home building is to prepare the area will your home will be built.  Rocks, trees, and other debris will have to be removed before the area can be leveled.  After this, a wooden form is laid as a template, then holes and trenches are dug and footings are installed.  Footings are what connects your house to the ground.

If your house is slab directly on the ground, after the footings are complete then the space between the footings is level and utility runs (such as electrical chases and plumbing drains) are fitted, then the slab is poured.  If your house has a basement or needs a septic tank, it is dug at this point, and the walls of the foundation are then poured.

After the concrete slab is poured, it needs to cure.  This takes time, up to 6 to 8 weeks depending on the thickness of the slab and the weather.  Nothing else can happen at the construction site while waiting for this to happen.

When the concrete has finished curing, the construction team will use a waterproofing membrane to coat the foundation walls before installing the drains, water taps, sewer lines and any other plumbing for the first floor or basement floor.  The hole around the foundation wall is then filled back up with dirt.

First Inspection

A city inspector will need to visit the construction site to check that the foundation fully cured, is up to code, and that everything is properly installed.  After the inspection has been passed, the forms around the foundation are removed.

Framing

The skeleton of the house is the next important step.  In this step, the builders will complete framing for the floor, wall, and roof systems.  Plywood is then fixed to the roof and exterior walls, while exterior doors and windows are also installed.  The plywood is then covered in house wrap which is a protective barrier against water and reduces the likelihood of wood rot or mold.

Check back next week for the continuation of Major Stages of Construction.