Art is a personal thing and art for your home even more so, every once in a while an artist comes along that captures the vibe of Mexico. Rosy Peraza Rios, paints the colours of the Yucatan and respects traditional values, with her art. If you are moving to the Yucatan and want to brighten up your home or want one of her works for your Museum in Paris. Contact Rosy for authentic Yucatecan art,
artistamexicana@gmail.com
or artistamexicana.blogspot.com
Finally, the truck arrives, a B train full. We ordered a large amount of Covintec panels in custom galvanized wire for the beach environment, for an assortment of projects. Probably the lightest load the trucker has ever had. We send our architects CAD files to the company and their tech specialist convert the CADS to a materials list and send it to us.
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With more and more projects using Covintec panels, like this one, we have to order double semi’s at a time just to keep up. This is just the beginning for this project, which will add a master bedroom and bath up. All sound proofed and insulated by using covintec panels. We currently have 4 large terraces, being built in Covintec as well as 4 major renos with second story additions using them.
Panels in place and re-enforced with rebar ties
Finished upper terrace waiting for paint. Then the second level starts to go up.
Taking in a Leones de Yucatán playoff game, with Governor of the Yucatan Rolando Zapata Bello (center) and the the President of Aerocretos de Mexico, Fernando Villajuana Mendez (left), along with 2 of our clients, Stan Pappenfus and Jeff Herron
We have several projects ongoing that are using COVINTEC panels, with several much larger projects in the works. Once the footings with reinforced attachments are place the builds progress rapidly. The Plumbers and electricians love working with, it as it make running all the tubing simple and fast. Once up it is hurricane proof , insulated, and sound damped. Plus all our panels are custom ordered in Galvanize wire and anticorrosive admixtures are added to a the cement and mortar, so there is never an issue with corrosion.
We have full factory support, with Covintec Engineers and tech reps on site, during the initial build.
We have several projects ongoing that are using COVINTEC panels, with several much larger projects in the works. Once the footings with reinforced attachments are place the builds progress rapidly. The Plumbers and electricians love working with, it as it make running all the tubing simple and fast. Once up it is hurricane proof , insulated, and sound damped. Plus all our panels are custom ordered in Galvanize wire and anticorrosive admixtures are added to a the cement and mortar, so there is never an issue with corrosion.
We have full factory support, with Covintec Engineers and tech reps on site, during the initial build.
If you drive into any small town in the yucatan, you will see the traditional block and mortar homes. You will also see the traditional methods of applying mortar to the surface. The abaniles flick the mortar, with varing degrees of accuracy, to make it stick to the target surface. This is not the fastest method of applying mortar, but it is the best method, if you are applying by hand. However, when we build with Covintec panels, we build much faster than standard block. So it makes no sense to build the walls of a house fast, then slow down while the mortar is flicked by hand onto the walls. We are speeding up the process, by applying the mortar via compressed air guns and soon by way of a mortar pump, so that it applies it continiously. You might be asking who cares, but this is important. The mortar guns apply the mortar at 95 psi, which gives a good compaction to the mortar, making it air tight and dense. This means strength, this is in part what makes a Covintec panel house hurricane proof. It also means we can add various additives to the mortar and apply them rapidly, as some of the corrosion inhibitors cause mortar to harden, faster than you can manually throw it. The mortar guns can spray the mortar as fast as you can mix it. If you are flicking it manually, it has to be mixed in small batches and water added to stop it from hardening. Adding water is a big problem as it changes the actual mix ratio, causing problems later. The more water in any cement product and the weaker the strength of the product. The other issue is wasteage. Mortar is not cheap and you want to make sure it stays on the wall.
Note in the videos, how little falls to the ground, this is a function of the speed of being shot from the guns.
Today I decided to do a test, to check the efficiency of a 2 inch covintec panel in the real world vs the sales pitch. I already knew it was good but never expected this.
I had the time to do a test, with a laser temperature to gun, to check the efficiency of the covintec panels in direct sun. The wall in question is my west wall, so it gets the afternoon sun but not all day sun. I knew the panels are good but never expected this. The sun had set by maybe 10 minutes and the ambient air temp was 25 degress C. Outside wall temperature with the gun on bare mortar wall 37.7 deg C. Same spot on inside wall 24.6 a whopping 13.1 degree difference, that is a lot less energy required to cool a room, if you are using Air-conditioners. This is with a 2 inch Covintec wall panel. The roof is 4 inches so should even be better in the full sun all day.
A new house underway, with Covintec structural panels. Insulation, sound damping and hurricane proof.
With over 80 pools built, we have the experience and skill, to build yours. This pool and deck combo was designed for lap swimming and included a wading area for smaller children, plus the massive deck and soon to be added glass railing to preserve the ocean view.
We are down to the final details on a second story addition. Custon french balcony doors, in hurricane resistant laminated glass. All windows are extra thick 12 mm tinted glass, LED lighting throughout, Chikum finish in the bathroom. Polished concrete counters and floor. Paint is going on and the bathroom is awaiting the paint trim as well.
We often get asked how to place long distant calls, well these folks have taken the time to do a flow chart explaining it all.
Improvements:
Customers often ask us what they can do, when they visit the Yucatan, other than visit their house or reno under construction. While there are lots of cenotes and very interesting villages to visit and Merida to explore. There is also a really great day on the water, for those into fishing or looking for a fantastic family outing. Our friend Randy Bowser, runs Progreso Fishing Tours (Yucatansnook.com) he is a pro at fishing for the local sea trout in the area and of course the Snook, Barracuda and Tarpon that are in the local waters as well. He follows a strict catch and release program, except for a select few direct for the table. So sustainable fishing is his priority, as it should be for all fishermen. So, if you are looking for a great day on the water, this is the place and he is the guy. I have fished for years, but Randy’s fishing knowledge and technique is second to none and his customers see the results. He has invested in a brand new boat, which is perfect for his chosen waters and is sponsored by Okuma, so you know you are using world class gear. But one word of caution, book early or be dissapointed. Oh and I forgot to mention he has really cool T-shirts too.
No one wants to have a hurricane visit their area, but they are a fact of life in the tropics. Traditionally, the North coast of the Yucatan has generally been a safe place to be. Due to the geography of the area, which tends to see storms follow the Yucatan channel or lose strength as they cross land. However, there have been a few notable exceptions such as Glibert and Isadora, that did huge amounts of damage. The one good thing about hurricanes is you can see them coming for days and have lots of time to activate your plans. You do have a plan don’t you? Here in Mexico, once a storm reaches certain proportions and is predicted to hit this area, on the North Coast of the Yucatan, an evacuation order will be given. Once given, it is mandatory that you leave, it is NOT optional. You need to do your own homework, to find out where the closest evacuation shelters are and make sure you know how to get to them. For people who have pets, the problem becomes much more difficult, as the shelters do not allow pets. If you are a pet owner , you will need an alternate shelter for you and your pets. Now is the time to canvas friends, to see if they will allow you to bring your pets with you, in the event of an emergency. Remember, you may be stuck there for a week or more, under not so nice conditions, so tempers of both you and your pets might get frayed.
When a hurricane strikes it is not just a case of high wind. Hurricanes also bring massive amounts of moisture and humidity levels skyrocket. It could be 35+ degrees and 100% humidity for days on end, with no electricity for fans or A/C. Anything you have will get wet, will never ever dry, clothes, pills, papers, NOTHING! Plus mold and mildew will run rampant if unchecked. It will not be pleasant, to spend a week or more in a damp environment, exposed to mosquito’s nightly, along with your wet dogs. The only way to keep your sanity is to be absolutely prepared for the worst and make sure you have a way to keep everything as dry as possible. If you have an alternate place to stay inland and you have a generator. Make sure you have extension cords and spare fuel, also fill your cars gas tank and have a syphon hose. A modern car has 45 or so litres of fuel which can power a small generator for 4 or 5 days of reasonable use. So having a syphon hose handy is a good idea. Check to see if your car has an anti-syphon fitting and consider removing it.
Below is a list of suggested items to have handy in the event that a hurricane does arrive. But, even if you head to a friends house or shelter and then return home, you will still need to be prepared. You may be with out power for a long period, if transmission lines are down and there is a good chance your beach home and more likely its contents maybe substantially damaged. Remember, no power means , no ATM’s, no city water and fuel stations can’t pump gas, stores won’t have cold storage, etc. Like the Boy Scouts say “Be prepared”.
Here are recommendations on what to do before a storm approaches:
— Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood. Make them now before you need them!
— Bring outside items in if they could be picked up by the wind, place screws in your tinaco lid, as they tend to fly away.
— Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting in case power goes off. Use a cooler to keep from opening the doors on the freezer or refrigerator.
— Make sure your cisterna and Tinaco are full and you have 5 or more Garafons of water available.
— Make sure your vehicles fuel tanks are full and you have spare fuel for a generator, also have a siphon hose
— Have an evacuation plan.
— Learn the location of the nearest shelter or nearest pet-friendly shelter. This is a big issue for pet owners in the beach areas.
— Store important documents — passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, deeds — in a watertight container.
— Have a current inventory of household property.
— Leave a note to say where you are going.
— Contact relatives and let then know you maybe out of touch for a week or more.
— Unplug small appliances and electronics before you leave.
— If possible, turn off the electricity, gas and water for your residence.
Here is a list of handy supplies:
— A seven-day supply of water, a minimum of one gallon per person per day.
— Three days of food, with suggested items including: canned meats, canned or dried fruits, canned vegetables, canned juice, peanut butter, jelly, salt-free crackers, energy/protein bars, trail mix/nuts, dry cereal, cookies or other comfort food.
— A can opener and eating utensils
— Flashlight(s) and candles.
— A battery-powered radio.
— Extra batteries.
— A first aid kit, including latex gloves; sterile dressings; soap/cleaning agent; antibiotic ointment; burn ointment; adhesive bandages in small, medium and large sizes; eye wash; a thermometer; aspirin/pain reliever; anti-diarrhea tablets; antacids; laxatives; small scissors; tweezers; petroleum jelly.
— A seven-day supply of personal medications, in waterproof containers.
— A multipurpose tool, with pliers and a screwdriver.
— Cell phones and chargers, laptops are handy if the Wifi in Merida’s parks is still up and running.
— Contact information for the family.
— A hammock setup, for each person, as a bed is almost useless in high humidity and will never dry.
— Extra cash.
— Mosquito netting or mosquito coils
— A map of the area, as familiar routes my be closed due to downed trees or other debris.
— Pet supplies.
— Wet wipes, showers may not be an option.
— Insect repellent.
— Rain gear.
— Duct tape.
— An extra set of house keys.
— An extra set of car keys.
— Household bleach.
— Toilet paper in zip lock bags or the handy single wrapped Costco rolls.
— Paper cups, plates and paper towels.
— DRY, Charcoal and matches, if you have a portable grill. But only use it outside.
This ultra modern 2000 Sq foot home is built with Covintec panels. Covintec panels have a demonstrated Hurricane resistance to 350KPH or 220 miles an hour. Building with panels costs more initially, but they are resistant to heat penetration, so easier to keep cool and the hurricane resistance speaks for itself.
One of our latest projects from a drone. Compound walled, pool being built along with massive terrace, with large bodega. Garage finished and main house reno ongoing.
All too often, one of the first questions people ask, when they decide to do a project is when can you start. Construction is not like a football game, where you have players on the bench just waiting for action. We have several full time crews, that go from project to project. When one finishes, another one starts and of course customers have to wait until a crew is free. It is not like we can move a crew to start a new project, at the expense of a project in process. This means you have to consider planning and timelines in your project. We have had customer say, OK if I give the go ahead can we start next week and be finished by XXX. I have to tell them sorry, but it does not work that way, we need plans to work from and permits to start. Beach front projects and others, require SEMARNAT approvals and those can take 3 or more months. So that also has to be factored in as well. The other thing to consider is, if a builder says he can start right away, it indicates he is not busy and maybe for a reason. Bottom line is this, plan ahead, plan ahead, then plan some more and expect delays in approvals from the various authorities. Things done in a rush are usually not done well. Having a good plan, gives a realistic idea of the timelines involved and the expected results.
We just finished this total reno and addition, this is the before.
This is at the almost finished stage. We took out walls, added archways built an addition on old terrace, added polished concrete floors, all new electrical and plumbing, chikkum finish in bathroom and kitchen and a lot more.
