Buildlogue #27–Inspection

This morning we wake up to a light and intermittent drizzle, none of that gusty persistent wintry showery stuff of previous weeks, in fact I can feel its somewhat “warmer” if I use my imagination. Wednesday 20 August and we’re starting Construction Day 44

I am not expecting the usual carpenter team. At the close of work last night, they collected all the construction tools which will no longer be needed on the job, and what a load it was. I tidied a bit and they swept out the site in preparation of the next inspection.

Later in the day, Builder John is scheduled to arrive to seal the window and door frames with foam sealant. The plumber should also show up, as the inspection will also include pressure testing the pipework which he installed last week.

The inspector will be checking the framing timber, especially those members which are close to and in contact with the cement flooring slab, for moisture content. If it is below the acceptable level, he will approve the next phase of construction, being the installation of the Gib plaster boards internally. This is the equivalent of plastering the internal wall surfaces.

Gib is a New Zealand proprietary brand Trademark of plasterboard (drywall compressed gypsum between two layers of paper), known by various other names around the world. When I arrived in New Zealand at first, I imagined that the word “Jib” (as I heard) was a variant pronunciation of “Jip” (abbreviation for “Gypsum”). On checking, I found that it is indeed “Jib” (abbreviation of “Gibraltar”) and that the origin of the name dates to the 1930s when the then-fledgling wallboard company NZ Wallboards (Winstones) decided that a strong brand name was needed to identify their new product. A competition was held for staff to suggest a suitable name, with £10 offered as the prize. The winning suggestion was Gibraltar Board, selected because it stood for strength and permanence - as in the Rock of Gibraltar.

(Above): The bedroom, as seen from the sitting room with wall and ceiling insulation complete. The product is known as pink Batts in New Zealand.

(Above): Looking from the bedroom into the bathroom.

Result of the inspector’s visit today?

(Above): The inspector was satisfied with the plumbing installation and the pressure test was passed. 

As far as the moisture content of the environment was concerned, the inspector was not happy with the 22.5%, as the specification is for moisture between 18 and 20%. It looks as if we will have to wait a couple more days with dehumidifiers running, and order a re-test, probably around Monday.