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Wood framed houses: a contractors view

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Vortice
  7/23/2019 10:45 EST

The use of wood for home construction is frowned on in UY for various reasons. As posted on a previous thread, Uruguayans view wood construction as cheap, substandard and only for those who cannot afford a "proper" masonry house. While wood is becoming more popular I get to see more examples of the absolute lack of framing knowledge among builders.
There is no regular spacing of studs and they are few and far between. Horizontal blocking between studs is equally random, sparse and out of line. This makes sheathing, drywall etc an absolute nightmareHeaders over doors and windows will often be a single flat 2x4 and that on a 5' wide opening! Rafters of all kinds are usually undersized and yes, random spaced.
The unfinished cabin that came with our farm is a perfect example of all of the above. The sag caused by the undersized, over-span, roof rafters has lent a rather pleasing roofline, reminiscent of Andalusian or Asian curved roofs. I vacillate on remodeling tools; saw and hammer or a backhoe.

Morell
  7/23/2019 16:06 EST

We had planned to build a small outdoor cabinet for garden tools etc. and a local suggested using regular drywall panels. He thought they were made of cement and therefore could be used outdoors.

We have also seen workers installing asphalt roof tiles incorrectly. It will take time for these products to become understood here.

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Vortice
  7/23/2019 18:18 EST

And the majority of slab floors new and old lack a vapor barrier underneath so moisture wicks into the already humid house. Dead flat leaky roofs, little or no understanding of building load paths to the foundation, bad water plumbing and we will not discuss "sanitation". Uruguayos are strong people to be able to thrive in such circumstances.

Vortice
  8/26/2019 07:15 EST

BarryEd,

You are spot on. In emails to a well driller, I precisely laid out our desired well construction with a concrete "sanitary seal" in the top 50' (of 150' well. The driller came to see the site and went on to explain that he would drill to "Las normas de Uruguay". We sent him packing.
I have learned that if I want campo on the supermarket conveyor, I do the long reach and put the "next client" bar behind me.

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