Gilpinstown Road, Hillcrest, Lurgan

Project Description

Client: Ronan Mc Garrity

Devity Contract Services completed the design and build of 11 townhouses on the Gilpinstown Road, Hillcrest, Lurgan, Co Armagh. These houses were a 2-storey traditional brick and block new build both semi-detached and detached houses. These houses were finished to a high standard and handed over to the client with a turn-key finish. Each house had a kitchen, dining room, living room, utility room, three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Before site works commenced, we had to liaise with the local authorities. This included the road service, planning department and Building control. We designed our building and site plans with the appropriate specification in accordance with all the relevant authorities. Once agreed with all we were able to starting site planning.

Service providers were contacted and a programme of works was drawn up.

Our works on-site involved:

Site clearance

On site we started by removing all the existing topsoil and loose materials off-site. This was completed with particular care due to the number of services present underground. Particular attention was paid to service drawings which were present onsite for this process and a CAT scanner was used as an additiona method in service identification

Piling operations

Due to the condition of the ground, all houses required piled foundations. This was designed and constructed using precast concrete ground beams. 200m pre-cast reinforced concrete slabs were set on top and all joints were filled with semi-dry concrete.

Brick/Blockwork

The buildings were constructed with a 150mm cavity, with a concrete block internal skin and a red brick facework external skin. All face brick was finished with a flush joint and the cavity was pumped with cavity bead insulation. Brick and blockwork, wall ties, DPC Membranes, cavity detail was constructed in accordance with Architectural and Engineer’s drawings.

All building was completed on scaffolding erected by fully qualified scaffolders,

Roof Construction

Roof construction consisted of a traditional trussed roof, felt and lathed, with a black slate finish. All trusses were delivered by lorry to site and under direction of a banksman guided to loading area. Trusses were safely unloaded and secured in a vertical position using the site teleporter. The trusses were lifted up then fixed to the walls and gables. Felt was laid in the direction of the roof gradient with suitable side and end flaps, and breaking joints between layers. Joiners secured 2x1 battens at suitable spaces for tiles. New roof slates were then installed fixed using copper wire nails. New ridge tiles were cemented to the top of the roof.

Mechanical/Electrical Installation

All circuits/systems were tested prior to initial commissioning and full checks in accordance with Standards.

Plastering

Plastering took place internally using a sand cement mortar. A final layer of skim was applied to give a uniform smooth finish. The thickness of the coats applied was applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines, BS and codes of practise. The plaster was allowed to dry between coats it was left to cure in accordance with the manufacture’s product guidelines.

Painting

Before painting was applied to the walls all occupiers chose the colours they wanted. Once agreed we prepared all surfaces for painting and all undercoats were recommended by the approved manufacturer of the finish coat for that specific finish. We then painted the newly plastered internal walls with one coat plaster sealer and two coats of Emulsion Paint. Interior decoration did not commence before the work of all trades had been substantially completed and the areas concerned had been thoroughly cleaned out.

Siteworks

Our site works around each house consisted of drainage, kerbing, tarmacing, fencing, paving and gardening. To the front and rear of each house we designed garden areas with grassed areas and paving brick paths. Wooden fencing 2.4m high was erected around every house back garden for privacy. Tarmac driveways were constructed sufficient to park one vehicle per house.