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Ferrocement Album Day 1
preparing the base

Guerilla House are branching out into ferrocement water storage tanks. This was their first workshop, and they managed to raise money for materials with crowdfunding

and are producing a booklet for the funders. I was privileged to be there on day one to prepare the base which is vital for creating a stable tank, as they are heavy when filled with water. Unfortunately I had to leave just when the cement was being prepared for casting as I had to attend an Afforest seminar (about building tiny urban forests) and I missed something really exciting, but you can see the pictures on Guerilla House's facebook page including one with me shedding sparks while using power tools... not to be missed !

The shady site close to the house for the ferrocement tank

Josh sweeps the site which is shady and close to the house

Imraan gives us some references on the amazing forms that ferrocement tanks can take

Imraan prepares us with an outline of the process and some references on the amazing forms that ferrocement tanks can take

Preparing the base of the tank

position centre peg and attach rope

Elias and Kingsley peg circle

back fill soft areas with lots of earth

neaten up and remove pegs

stomp everything down firmly

hammer in the peg in right position

remove all loose, soft soil in circle

place the stones on the mark

dig a trench round perimeter

then cover the centre with stone

mark tank radius on rope with colour

dig out any soft spots in the floor

to draw a brick or stone circle

Elias neatly fills stone in trench

rake the circle flat and stomp

Puppy watches enthusiastically, missing being part of action

Puppy admires our handiwork, clearly missing being included

Preparing the reinforcing

measure the lengths of bar

bend and tie circle ends

use bar bending tools

cut cross, circles, verticals

adjust curves in situ

lay bottom drain under grid

mix cement, sand and stone for casting the base

sitemap

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home page for lots of ideas on green living and natural gardening

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water conserving systems in the garden

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ferrocement album day 2-5 building the tank walls

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