An Overview on Basic Construction Skills

The construction sector has become one of the most booming areas of business in every country - specially for developing countries. Philippines for example is one of the many developing countries that is seen with great potential for any business, which is why every year, there are a lot of investors that set up their business in many key areas of the county. Those businesses opens up a great opportunity for job generation - from the construction phase to the start of business operations.

Construction projects needs a lot of work force especially for the huge ones like skyscrapers, shopping malls, government buildings and other building and engineering projects. There is a great need for skilled workers that will take over several tasks to complete a construction project. A typical construction project needs various types of skilled workers - foremen, masons, machine operators, drivers, etc. Whether anyone wants to apply for any of the mentioned job titles, it is really important to have a great understanding about the basic construction skills. This will help the workers, regardless of their titles, become more proficient workers and also equip them with the new trends in construction which they can carry on throughout their careers.

The primary basic construction skills that a worker should possess is knowledge with safety and standards best practices. There are many risks that can cause danger to any worker in a construction site - this is why every worker should be cautious and understand every precaution and safety measures.

Another essential skill is being able to read blue prints. Blue Prints are basically a draft which contains the instructions on how everything should be done. Construction projects rely on blue prints in to ensure that a structure is built correctly and safely. It is very important for everyone, even for a helper in order to make every tasks go smoothly and more efficiently.

Finally, a general knowledge on the operation of a variety of tools and machine is a very important skill for everyone. Improper techniques of using such tools makes any work inefficient and dangerous that it may cause damage to structures, harm people and compromise the construction project.

Every contractors should provide trainings that will educate all employees about safety and standards, best practices and new trends in the field of construction. This will not only make them more effective but it will also contribute to the success of your construction firm.

Common types of Cement used in Construction Projects here in the Philippines

 By: Cedric Lee

When having a construction project, be it a small structure or a skyscraper, one of the most essential elements is cement. In the Philippines, there are mainly two kinds of cement that are generally used by most construction companies for any construction and engineering projects: Portland Cement and Blended Cement.

Portland Cement is essentially a general-purpose cement. This type of cement is more economical and environment friendly compared to blended cements. Portland Cement is a product of limestone, clay and other materials that undergoes grinding and hydration process. This kind of cement is usually utilized for creating concrete, mortar, stucco, etc. There also different types of Portland Cement that are specifically used for specific construction. There is one type or variation that is specially for constructions in water. There are also types that are quick binding and are made to resist heat and chemical reactions.

Blended Cement on the other hand are a variety of cement materials that are usually blended with Portland Cement to create a high quality concrete which is more consistent, less penetrable, more resistant to aggressive chemicals and with a higher compressive and flexural strength. There are also a wide variety of blended cements that serves different purposes.



Cedric Lee is the board chairman of Izumo Contractors Inc., the leading construction firm in the Philippines.

Construction Site Essentials

There some important things to considers when doing a construction project. Whether it is a single family home or a commercial building, there are some essential things that you should take into account so that you can do the project smoothly. Failure to prepare the basics may lead to safety and productivity issues that you don't want to happen. In this article, we will discuss 5 essentials in doing a construction project.

Safety Gears

Safety gears are the ones that should be prioritized. These includes hard hats, vests, steel toe boots, communication devices and other safety gears. You should make sure that all these gears are being worn by your workers.

First Aid Kit

Getting injuries is inevitable in an environment like a construction site. Make sure you have a complete first aid kit in your construction areas at all times to prevent minor injuries like to get worse.



Water
Another thing that is essential to a construction site is water. Primarily water is needed by the workers, therefore there should be an adequate amount of clean drinking water in designated areas. Water is also important for several activities that concerns production such as mixing concrete, cleaning materials and many other tasks.


Lights

Lights also plays a big role in a construction project. An adequate amount of lights helps workers get the job done smoothly, safely and accurately especially when doing the finishing on the inside of a building.



Generator

Generators should also be present in your construction site. Even when the site has an access to adequate amount of power, inevitable events like power interruptions may occur anytime. In order to keep the job running and stay on schedule, you should have generators as backup source of power.


These 4 of basic things that you should have on your checklist when doing a construction project.

Construction Industry in the Philippines

For a developing country like Philippines, the building and construction industry is surely one of the most booming business sectors. Every year, an increasing number of buildings, establishments, public works and whatnot are being built throughout the country. There are a lot of established construction firms that handles various civil engineering and architecture projects.

Civil engineering works deals with the design, construction and maintenance of a physical environment which includes buildings, infrastructures, public works, bridges, etc. Architecture works on the other hand is both the process and end result of planning, designing and building. Construction projects are usually faceted into many different aspects that is handled by a project manager, architect, structural engineer, construction manager, etc.

Construction is the process of building or assembling an infrastructure in a certain area or land. In general, there are different types of construction: Building Construction, Heavy/Civil Construction and Industrial Construction.

Building Construction is the process of adding a structure into a real property. It can be a commercial or a residential building. From small scale to large scale and from houses to condo units or hotels. Commercial building construction is procured privately or publicly. Construction projects can also be renovations or reconstruction of certain structures.

Heavy/Civil construction projects are mostly involves government agencies for big projects in national or local levels. These projects are commonly government buildings and public infrastructures.

Industrial Construction is the process of building infrastructures for industries like automotive plants, food and beverage plant, petroleum plant and other buildings for different industries.

Plumbing Advice For The Do-It-Yourself Homeowner

You may not know this, but plumbing is actually a fairly simple concept, when approached correctly. Once you have a good understanding of how everything works, then even the largest projects will appear to be a lot more simple. Read on for more great advice about plumbing in your home.

If water is not coming to the dishwasher, you most likely have a blockage somewhere. You will need to turn off the water supply and remove the hose that leads to the dishwasher. After securing the hose, turn the water back on. See if it feeds into a bowl. If not, then you must find the block where it is at which may include removing more piping.

You should drain all of the water out of the tank of your hot water heater at least once every three to six months. Draining all of the water out of the tank helps to prevent sediment build-up at the bottom of the tank. This sediment can cause the tank to bang or to heat less efficiently.

Check your faucets for leaks. Check the knobs and the faucet itself. Hundreds of gallons of water a day can be wasted due to leaks and that's not good if you're paying your water bill. By stopping a leak now, you can save yourself a lot of money. Leaks can grow over time as well, so avoid a disaster and check all faucets for leaks!

It is important to clean your faucet's aerator from time to time. Not cleaning it can cause lime buildup, which in turn, could cause water leaks or low water pressure. To clean a aerator, you can unscrew it from the faucet, dip a brush into vinegar, and use the brush to clean it.

In conclusion, there is a lot to know about plumbing, but it all ends up being well connected in the end. Build on any knowledge that you already have and you can take care of just about any home improvement project or plumbing issue that you might be faced with.

House Improvement Tips That Are Sure To Work

 By Cedric Lee

Photo courtesy of betterhomesandgardensideas.com

Improving your home can be a great way to enjoy your living environment. Do your best to learn as much as possible before you begin. This will help make sure you do it right the first time. With the help of this article, you can be sure you get your money's worth and be satisfied.

Insulating your attic should help you reduce your energy bill. If the insulation of your attic is not good, you might be losing a lot of heat in the winter. You can buy quality insulation at any home improvement center, and it's quite simple to install.

Anytime you undertake any major home improvement project, be honest with your contractor on how much you have budgeted for the work. Being honest will allow your contractors to be able to use better quality materials for your renovation. Additionally, the contractor will be able to get the best value for their dollars. Open communication has strong benefits for both the homeowner and the contractor.

When looking for a contractor, the lowest quote is not necessarily the best. When you get bids for any work you're contracting out, make sure you research all companies that are bidding. It might be tempting to save money up front, but you'll end up shelling out more later to fix the sub-par work.

Cleaning your gutters is a great project that requires little time but has lasting impact. Clogged-up rain gutters cause moisture to build up between the gutters and holes in your home's fascia board. This can make the exterior wood to deteriorate. Maintaining your gutters is a wise home improvement chore.

Any type of home improvement project could turn into a big headache, if it's not done the right way, but if done the right way, it could add value to your house. By reading and following the tips listed above, you should be able to prepare yourself so that you might ultimately avoid those disasters.

Cedric Lee is the president of Izumo Contractors Inc. If you are looking for contractors for your upcoming construction projects, please visit Izumo Contractors Inc.'s website.

DIY Plumbing

By: Cedric Lee

Image courtesy of hometips.com

Simple plumbing issues can not only hurt the image of your home but they can destroy your wallet. Simple things from clogged drains, to more advanced leaks can be incredibly destructive. Don't fret however! With a few essential tips for the do it yourself home plumber, you will be ready to take care of any issue.

DIY plumbing jobs will require that you understand how to solder copper for the lines for the water supply. You can practice this skill so that you will be able to run your lines without worrying about it leaking. Search online for video tutorials that can help you get a handle on how to go about soldering.

To make sure there is no accident or sudden rush of water when you tackle a plumbing project, make sure you are ready for a cleanup. If you go into the work with a huge stack of towels and blankets ready to absorb water, the prospect of needing to actually do it will keep you alert enough to avoid triggering the accident in the first place.

Check your faucets for leaks. Check the knobs and the faucet itself. Hundreds of gallons of water a day can be wasted due to leaks and that's not good if you're paying your water bill. By stopping a leak now, you can save yourself a lot of money. Leaks can grow over time as well, so avoid a disaster and check all faucets for leaks!

Plumbing can be an advanced, highly technical profession where more often than not, you need an experts help. However, sometimes that is not the case and there are some simple do it yourself home fixes. If you take a little time to read about them you will find some of the most common plumbing problems are able to be handled by the common man.

Cedric Lee is the president of Izumo Contractors Inc.