The cumulative knowledge on these forum pages, all free for the taking, is truly staggering. Kenneth in Lees Summit, MO

Chad's Forum Posts: 2
Journal Entries: 4
Average Forum Rating: 3.00



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Foundation Followup

Posted to FettConstruction by Chad in Vincennes, IN on 11/24/2006

We were surprised that work was continuing on today. A couple of guys showed up to finish the footer for the walkout side of the house. A trench was dug, concrete poured, and then concrete blocks placed into the concrete. The floor of the basement will be poured over the top of the blocks, creating a solid foundation for that side of the house. Some more dirt was moved around to create a drainage path for water between our lot and the neighbors. We also had the dirt checked again for possible septic install, but it looks like it will have to wait until next week, and hopefully dry weather. Next week the forms should start going up for the walls, and preparation for the flatwork should start.

Foundation is in.

Posted to FettConstruction by Chad in Vincennes, IN on 11/22/2006

Most of today was spent setting up the Form-a-Drains. Although they are easy to assemble, the time-consuming part is making sure the whole stretch around the house is level. The string lines put up the previous day were checked for square before being used to place the forms. The forms were set at 20" wide with 4" to the outside of the string, 16" on the inside. This went all the way around the perimeter of the house, except for the back wall, which will be the walkout side. Footers for the two retaining walls were also dug and poured.

After a few more loads of #53 stone for driveway base was delivered, two concrete trucks arrived. It took no time at all to fill the forms, screed, and float. Two pieces of rebar were floated in each section of the forms, and after the concrete set up a bit a vertical piece of rebar was inserted every 16" or so to tie to the poured walls. Other than that, some dirt was moved around and rough grade performed around the back. It will be interesting to see how much dirt will need to be brought up once the walls are poured. Probably not much new happening at the site until next week.

Photos

Day 1 - Movin' Dirt

Posted to FettConstruction by Chad in Vincennes, IN on 11/21/2006

What a day! We finally started on our first owner-builder project. After a week of weather delay and a few months of planning, we got around to breaking ground. Our lot already slopes front to back and we knew it would be great for a walkout basement. That was confirmed today after moving lots of dirt. It was hard to picture what the yard would look like up front after raising the level a couple feet.

We ended up digging about 5 feet in the front and 2.5 in the back to make room for the 9-foot ceilings of the basement. No snags so far, but we're just starting. In all, a good day of moving dirt. Tomorrow, it's dumping some gravel and getting the form a drains installed and footers poured. Hope you like the pictures.

Photos

Tomorrow is Day 1

Posted to FettConstruction by Chad in Vincennes, IN on 11/20/2006

Well, after months of planning the first day of excavation is finally here. With all the rain we have had lately, I never thought we'd get started. Activities slated for the next couple weeks include: - Digging walkout basement - Pouring footers - Installing basement plumbing, gravel, and PEX radiant heat in floor - Setting forms and pouring 9' basement walls - Setting forms for garage foundation and front porch. We'll keep you posted on our progress and hope to have some pictures up soon.

Posted by Mike in Marion, OH on 11/20/2006 Mike's Forum Posts: 6 Journal Entries: 44 Interview Answers: 140 Average Forum Rating: 3.78 Image from Mike's blog 11/20/2006

That is really exciting!! Good luck and I hope to learn some things from you. Your fellow midwestern O-B, Mike