Construction Update #12

Almost like making a cake. Layer after layer. Step after step. 

The white is the R-10 insulating foam. First we compact the soil to concrete stiffness, then we put squishy foam on top. Go figure.

The groove in the foam is for a thickened slab under the home theatre wall. The home theatre will be concrete all four walls. Quiet so it can be loud.

I am doing the hydronic work myself. Today I got 400 lineal feet done. ‘Course I got 800 feet still to do. And that is just on the basement level. Hard to think about floor heat when it is 100+ outside.

Next big step will be the slab.

Steve

Construction Update #11

Building the perimeter foundation on the flat made it easy to lay out for the ICF contractor, but it made it extra deep for the back fill step. So, we brought in multiple truck loads of drain rock followed by 5/8 minus. At least the trucks could reach the basement level directly.

After that was all spread and compacted, it was time to dig it back up for the plumbing trenches. There must be a method to the madness.

Pictured is Ben the plumber filling a standpipe with water. The exits have been temporarily capped. And the test is whether the water leaks out of any of the joints. Not exactly rocket science. But effective. Anyhow, we passed the ground works inspection and are ready to move on.

Steve

Construction Update #10

Day 9 brought Eric back for a mini pour. Just 6 more yards to complete the perimeter and base of elevator shaft. I gave up trying to backfill on my own. My regular excavator said he could schedule me in, maybe, in two weeks. My new regular excavator, Rayfield scoped the job that day and got right on it.

Day 10 it was nice to see a dump truck make it to the front of the foundation. And not into the river! About 30 yards of drain rock topped with 5/8 minus, whatever that is. Then compacted in 100 degree heat. No sweat.

Tomorrow the plumber. Then the electrician. Then me on the radiant floor. Then. Then then.

Steve

Construction Update #9

Just me and Joe today. And barney the purple excavator.

Today was all about drainage. The stay in place forms have built in drainage, do probably everything else was redundant. Better redundant then wet!

The rented jumping jack would not stay running. So no charge from Star Rental.

Then at 6pm I tried to shut off Barney. Nope. Kept running. And running and running. The rental agent couldn't help. The owner drove over from Cle Elum and couldn’t get it to turn off. By now it is 9:30 pm. Finally, we took off the air cleaner and blocked the air intake until it suffocated. Poor Barney. No rental charge on that either.

All in all a draining day

Steve

Construction Update #8

Today was supposed to be all about waterproofing and backfilling.

The waterproofing guys showed up and said they wouldn’t do the job. Not enough drainage. Then they proceeded to put the fear of mother nature in me about water incursion.  I think the Form-a-Drain will work as advertised, but hey a little redundancy can’t hurt. So, now I am installing a perimeter drain, with a third drain line along the side of the house fronting the little creek. Better safe then wet!

Proving herself as more then just a pretty face, Karen worked all day long with Eric to get the elevator shaft / retaining wall just right. Notice the amount of rebar. Looks like that game we played as kids with all the sticks to try and pick up.

Next pour will be the corner with the shaft. Then the floor. Then we stack the walls. But first, we gotta finish spreading 20 yds of drainrock around 250 feet of perf pipe.

Steve

Construction Update #7

When it rains, it pours.

Wednesday greeted us with lightning and thunder showers.

Plumber was there at ohsixthirty as promised and managed to fit his openings around the electricians.

Eric and crew finished blocking out this and that.

Special inspector showed up and did his thing, examining rebar, measuring slump taking core samples, etc.

Boom truck was the largest this side of the pass. Reached within 5’ of the far corner. Barely.

Concrete trucks came and cam, until seven had left us with 65 cy of foundation. Concrete is cheap. But all the additives, and delivery and surcharges and so on. Cost about $7,000.

Eric’s crew left. Eric stayed behind for dinner out with the wives. Tomorrow some more prep work for the slab. And I get to figure out the backfill and water proofing and radiant heat on my own.

All in all, a very productive day at the job site.

Steve

Construction Update #6

Weather continued to favor us. Warm, but not above 90.

Karen pitched in today with an ever present smile and a bright fucia colored hard hat.

Electrician, Ed, showed up as per the schedule, got busy and laid groundwork for the bottom floor. Plumber comes in early tomorrow. You know the rule, can’t have two subcontractors on the same jobsite at the same time!

Not much left to do before the big day tomorrow. Eric anticipates 62 yards of ‘mud’ to fill the forms. Exciting – and permanent!

Steve

Construction Update #5

Day four of construction was a flurry of activity. Eric detected the SE corner was 2² out of square, so he pulled the stakes and fiddled an adjustment. Not sure if it was a fengshui moment, or what.
 

Hayden had worked over the weekend on revisions for the standard size Nana wall, making the theatre walls ICF and enlarging the stair landings.

 The building inspector showed up to view the foundation. I tried to explain what he was looking at. Eric returned from lunch and tried to explain. Finally, I pointed out that we had a special inspector, (an engineer) as required by the County to sign off on the forming. He wasn't so sure, but called back later in the day to say he didn't need to see anything more until the plumbing groundwork was in.
 
The HVAC guy came by and discussed the pros/cons of positive pressure ventilation vs. negative pressure ventilation. The meeting had a positive outcome.

Eric and I visited with the concrete boss and negotiated an extra $2/yd discount. Then on the drive home we witnessed a hit/run accident and helped to chase down the perpetrator.
 
Debbie and Karen traveled west to see the Street of Dreams.
 
Just another day. Concluded with a BBQ for Eric and his crew at picnic rock.

Steve

Construction: update #4

Adding to the excitement of the day, we had a brilliant lightning storm and brief thundershower. Three fires were ignited in the vicinity, but none appear threatening. Helicopters overhead and hotshots in town.

Will helped set some stakes then went bug-eyed when Michael mentioned his other job was Hollywood stuntman. Will might try and get an autograph.

Second layer of rebar was set. Forms were leveled. And most significant from a visual standpoint, the first course of block is going in.

NanaWall decided on. Still trying to make the elevator fit. Stair options being explored.

Wrapping up, it was a short week but I think very productive. First mud pour still on schedule for Tuesday.

Steve

Construction Update #3

Another blazing hot day along the Icicle.

An early morning start saw lots of progress with rebar placement. 6” off on one of the footings solved by making it wider. Head scratcher on the elevator pit being too deep. It’’ll be figured out. Still trying to nail down the stair and the folding wall items. Options presented by the low voltage and home theatre guy.

Then around 8:30 pm our delivery of foam showed up. It was dark to offload, but at least cooler.

I showed the guys our secret cliff jumping spot. Hopefully it was not symbolic, but we all jumped off the cliff into the Icicle.

Steve