how to build a stormwater pit (a rough guide)

Step 1:
Dig a really, really big hole and put in pipes.


Step 2:
Build custom formwork for concrete pit.


Step 3:
Pour concrete.


Step 4:
Remove formwork and reset for next pit.

Step5:
Place grate on top and backfill trenches.



On a slightly more detailed (and serious) note, most steps took over a day to complete - there's about 7 days labour in each pit and we have 3 to pour!

We employed a plumber to dig and shape the trenches, lay the pipes and connect to the stormwater main - he did an amazing job considering all of the hurdles.

As the pits themselves were incredibly over-engineered (council specs), it became difficult to find someone to take on the project and actually get them in the ground (both the plumber and concreter refused).

We owe everything to my Dad who gave up countless days to design the formwork, piece it together and manage the process - including negotiate all sorts of setbacks like tight spaces and council inspectors (sometimes wishing the council inspectors would fall in the tight spaces).

Thanks Dad.

it's still a mess...but it's our mess

With a few days to simmer down and catch an update on how some of the QLD flood victims are slowly pulling their lives and homes back together, it's a good wake-up call that we chose for all of this to happen. The move, the mess, the stress - we took it all on for a larger goal. I know I'm terrible at 'seeing the forest for the trees' at the best of times - lucky I have such a supportive (and forest-seeing) husband.

Here's a little snapshot of where things have come from...
This is the lounge room when we first started renovating a few years ago (prior to even contemplating the whole house-moving thing). Love the 70's firebox!



It's amazing what a lick of paint, some sanding of floorboards and some gorgeous flowers can do! What a transformation.



When moving the house, we had to make a decision about the fireplace. Upon moving, the exterior brickwork would no longer be stable and coupled with a rusted-out flue, we decided to take it out completely.

This involved demolishing it from the inside-out...



...putting in new structural beams to secure the house...



...and re-covering the inside and outside walls.



We're not finished yet - there's still more sanding, priming, and painting to go, but I guarantee you'd never know there used to be a fireplace in the house when we're finished. I'm just looking forward to the 'finished' shot now!