Life of a Construction Worker (Part 4: Much More to Be Learned)

Just I expected, I woke up the next morning aching all over. A mental war took place in my head as I’m struggling on whether I should go to work. I didn’t take me too long before I made the decision. My reason? Taking one day off will not help much in recuperating my strength. Plus, I’ll never adapt to the job if I always rest when I feel aching over. Strangely, after the third day, I don’t feel aching over anymore.
Throughout the subsequent days I find myself steadily adapting to the environment. From only being able to push a halfly-filled-cart, I can now push 3-quarter of load without any problems. Soon, I was let to do chores that are more technical, that not only rely on brutish strength. For starters, I was asked to saw woods and break walls with hammer and chisel.

Hammer and Chisel. Yeah~ I accidentally hit my fingers a few times.

Then again, everything seems easier than doing it. After the demolition and removal of the concrete floor, the soil beneath needs to be leveled for the replacement of new concrete. It was then; I learnt some simple methods of leveling soil. To make sure that the ground is really flat, sticks and thread. It is easy not to explain the whole procedure in words, anyway, here is a picture showing one of the steps of this method.

As the renovation progress, I find myself seeing many things for the very first time.

First, I was introduced to a gadget that is used to make a straight line on wall. You see, it is very hard, or should I say almost impossible to draw a straight line on a concrete wall, so this gadget is used;

First, the ink-soaked thread is pulled out, and pressed onto the wall on its two ends. Then, the center of the thread is pulled and released. The elasticity of the thread made it snap on t the wall when it is released. Hence, the ink on it stained the wall. Understand? Smart and simple isn’t it?

There are many heavy machines used at a construction site. After testing out the jack hammer, I came across another “jack”, - the Jumping Jack Tamper. It’s an excavate equipment used to make to soil flat and more solid by stomping on the soil. Once again, I was allowed to give it a try. The thing is so heavy, that the strength of 3 men is required to move it. It is powered by petrol. Once started, the equipment vibrates like mad that it almost shook my flesh off from my bones when I hold it for just about 5 minute. The engine is hot, and the smell of petrol combustion is just killing me. I really take my hat off for those uncles for making such a difficult task looked so simple.

The Jumping Jack Tapper.

The Jumping Jack Tapper in action.
Before a new layer of concrete is poured on, iron net is laid on the ground for better adhesiveness.

After the concrete floor had been demolished and the soil had been thoroughly leveled, it is time to pour in a new layer of concrete to replace the old one. On the sixth day of my life as a construction worker, I arrived at my work place with a surprise waiting for me. A huge concrete transport truck parked right in front of the house that we were working on. The veteran workers are already there, building a new concrete floor at the porch of the house.

Concrete transport truck. A truck load of concrete cost about RM700 to RM800.

Moulding the concrete.

Soft and wet concrete.
After 5 to 6 hours, the concrete will solidify.

Sometimes the weather will be kind to us. Occasionally it rains, and if the rain is too heavy, we have to stop working. Upon the finishing of the whole renovation process, we have to work over time.