Chateau de Firbeix

As the chateau has a lot of roofs and we're adding a large patio around the barn and hose pipe bans are not uncommon during the summer months, we decided to collect this run off water and install a 10,000 litre tank which will be buried in the ground between the barn and the trees. We can then use this water for the swimming pool, watering the garden, etc. The water will be filtered before entering the tank and we'll need an electric pump to get the water to where it needs to be used.  I've added Daniel to give some perspective how huge the tank is!

The Firbeix commune has built a new sewage treatment plant down towards the main road and since the chateau has been on a septic tank (fosse septique) up to now, we have to join the mains which is great for us but does mean a lot of work! Basically we just needed to connect the entry point of the septic tank to the mains sewage point by the main road but as we want the barn and PMR gîte also connected and also the B&B rooms on the top floor, we decided to put in a new sewage line from the barn around the back of the chateau, past the 2 back gîtes and then connecting to the mains point close to the mill. We will also increase the capacity from a 100mm pipe to 125mm. While the digging is going on, we'll also run a new water line for the PMR gîte. This work started today and a lot of progress was made  

The work around the barn eventually started today, Monsieur Lambert and his father arrived with a very large excavator and lorry and started removing the bank around the barn so we can build a terrace on three sides (forth side will be a toilet and separate (new) room for storage and preparation for events. The terrace will be 3m deep on the long sides of the barn and 5m and the gable end.  Only day 1 so it looks a bit rough but it gives you an idea of the volume being removed and how nice it will look once done.

  We more or less completed the subfloor today, except for a narrow row of panels along the wall. Not worth another post just for the finished floor so...

Although we did one row yesterday, today we made a lot of progress fitting the new subfloor of plywood (OSB). These are 2500x600mm tongue and groove sheets, 22mm thickness glued and screwed to the joists. We started in the far corner from staircase and worked in rows, working towards the bedroom/bathroom. End of day 1, and we have finished the bedroom (on the right with the window) and what will be the corridor running to the opening in the wall, which is where we'll knock through for the access from the second bedroom above the workshop (which will be the living room for the PMR gîte).

  Some final jobs before we start laying the plywood sub-floor. The old staircase had be partially removed so we could finish with the joists. The dark joist below will be where the new staircase will attach to. We've also cut, fitted and secured (with a nail gun), the noggins. These are just short pieces of off cuts placed between the joists to maintain the spacing, keep them vertical and secure them to the top plate. 

We finished fitting the main joists today across the kitchen (5.5m) and the bedroom/bathroom (3.5m).

  Continuing with cutting and raising the new joists, so mostly photos today.

Since we finished removing the old floor joists and chipboard flooring, we've been levelling up the walls, cleaning up and essentially getting ready.  Today we put in the first two 5m joists (100x200mm Douglas fir). There will similar joists (3.5m long) over the bathroom and bedroom that will meet over the central block wall. We have not made any attempt at cleaning up the stone wall as we have a mason coming early September to make a 2mx2m opening (marked with orange spray)  from the adjoining workshop which will be the living room. The technique for fitting the joists is still being refined

After several days of storms in the forecast, today it finally happened and some serious hail, the size of grapes! I was working in the gîte and had to wait for 20 minutes. No swimming today!  It looks like Emily spilt her cocktail 🤣

Saturday and the last day of removing the floor, although we'll leave the small section at the top of the staircase as the last full beam is connected to it. A good cleanup of the bits of wood, sawdust (green), etc. and finally preparation for tomorrow to put in the final 2 rows of blocks on which the new floor will sit. Those beams (100x200mm, 5.5m and 3.5m lengths) are all outside waiting to be fitted.

 A tough day with the heat and also a very heavy beam and made more difficult by it being at arms length above us so we spent nearly 3 hours on one beam cutting it into smaller sections and then carefully lowering it.

  We reached the end of the room and made a start on the floor above the bathroom.