Garden - A remake.

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Old house came without a proper garden.

The space was cemented with shades, with a small building at the back, probably served as a small room to rent out to others in its early days.

One can see the dark shaded porch with its side roof to cover the 'garden' space.

Here is the original roof, pretty well made.  But it no longer serves our purpose here.  A simple lawn will be created right in this spot.

Out they went when we came in.

A few days later, the roof has gone. This photo was taken almost from the same angle as the photo above.

Here's the location of the power cable, fitted in today.  Tenaga's approval has been obtained much earlier by the power cable guys.  They will play a major role soon in this building.

Most of the work is being inhouse, with very minimal work being seen on the garden ever since the last post.  But here it is.  A big sliding door leading into the garden is having a small 7 feet Balinese shade, blocking both the evening sun and rain from the door.

Here's the bare outlet into the garden (same photo was being shown in the Le Pipe page.)

Works are being done to install the hardwood frame.

Factory prefabricated and pre-cut frame, note the patterned tip of the horizontal beam.  Despite that it is still hand-sawed to correct length.  Impressive handwork for that as well.  For me, I would need a circular saw to achieve the effect.

Within a day, everything is done.

Roofing is made of Asphalt Cambridge Shingles. It is hammered in place with zinc plate water proofing, placed onto a base layer of plywood. This is how it is supposed to be installed - Video .

The Asphalt roof was purchased all the way from Butterworth ! I am sure someone in Klang Valley carry this but we just don't know who.

Two new columns were built, one is to conceal the sewage pipes.  Another one is mainly for the sake of symmetry.

Manholes are being built at this point, for drainage from the roof and hopefully from the garden.  However, being a step taller than the ground level, something will need to be done to direct water from the surface into the manhole.

Another view of the manholes built and buried along the building.

Here's one more view, extended piping all the way to the rear, where it is going to be drained out.

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The garden will have two water outlet.  This is one at the back. 

Manhole just right below the kitchen window. It has to be redo to improve the water flow and allow water from the garden to flow in should there be a minor flood (if it works !)

Another manhole redone.

Power line to be laid right in front of the building by the Tenaga people soon.

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The oldest tree trunk is finally being uprooted.  This tree is probably there for around 15-20 years. Giving way to a flat garden.

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The main door is up.  With solid wood simple design, one and a half frame. 

 

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All those loose, or left behind slaps of cements were buried under the garden soil.  We spent almost 2 days, with hired two workers and our own bare hands, managed to dig most of them out to be discarded.  That way hopefully the future gardening activities will not be impeded.  Lessons to be learned here :  remove them BEFORE laying down any soil on top.  It takes ages and lots of muscle just to dig all out throughout the garden !

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Problem: When we try to drain out the reserved water from the tank (to facilitate the background chap to install the new water filter), one of the manhole literally flooded the garden.  The drainage was blocked at some point.

The Ah Phan's team folks came, dug out and exposed the pipes, and corrected whatever the error that could have caused it.  Problem solved.

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Some green touches starts to decorate the garden.

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Garden spikes are being installed.. Easily another famous Malaysian invention !

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These spikes were cut from the old 20+ year old gate, and being welded onto the slots. My wife's idea that is.

Final installation of Motorised Gate Mechanism.

Finally, after 2 days of hard work, episode of Gastritis, small blisters, hours of hot sun, poor food, soaking wet in heavy rain in the evening, and tonnes of aching muscles, both of us with the help of 2 other temp workers managed to add a truckload full of soil, before coating a layer of sand, followed by team work by four of us to distribute the grass patches to complete the garden. Soil was arranged by Ah Phan's contact, which is cheap enough indeed. Yes we are proud of ourselves too. Its hard work within such a short time. Will I do it again next time? NO !
Here's the rear view of the garden.

Here's the front view of it.

With this, I think the Garden chapter finally draw to a close.

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