The next few pictures are from Tuesday the 21st. Sunday was a snowy mess, I sent you pictures, and Monday was another lost cause because of the snow. Here is the foundation site with the pads poured, the radon partially laid out, and the dirt starting to dry out.
This is the side of the house nearest the driveway after the french drain was installed. The black plastic covers the pipe (that's tied up against the wall) .
Here's the inside of the foundation with the radon system started.
Same thing from a little further away.
Another picture from the other angle.
Just a random picture of a muddy mess!
This is a pretty good picture of the buttress wall. I can't get behind the house yet to take a picture from the top.
We had to take a day off because the mud just wouldn't allow George to start backfilling anything. Wednesday was a lost cause :(Thursday we tried to get the backfill done but got a call from the survey crew that they weren't done yet (they were supposed to be, but they got delayed). They needed until that afternoon to finish everything before the trucks, etc., got back in the way.
Here's whats left of 10 truck loads of decomposed granite. They've been digging on it for most of the day.
See that orange painted stick in the middle of the picture? That's the survey stick marking the side line. He placed several along the side line that may show up in other pictures.
This is Ben waiting for the trench to be dug so he can finish the radon system.
This video is more of the radon installation.
On Friday (today) George got all the steel beams and posts ordered and had 10 truck loads of decomposed granite delivered to backfill the foundation. His helper, Ben, came out to compact the dirt once George gets it in place. Everything must be compacted before the project can proceed.
This picture is your front yard, right in front of the right corner of the top floor.
Here's whats left of 10 truck loads of decomposed granite. They've been digging on it for most of the day.
See that orange painted stick in the middle of the picture? That's the survey stick marking the side line. He placed several along the side line that may show up in other pictures.
This is Ben waiting for the trench to be dug so he can finish the radon system.This video is more of the radon installation.
I took a minute while I was waiting for them to do something else, and took a picture of the outside of the other side of the house. This is where the french drain and the radon system both come out from alongside the foundation wall. They will be 'daylighted' after everything is done, but right now they are out of the way.
Here is the new power meter! The green card is the inspection report, you can see the house right beyond the meter.
Here is how well the meter pole blends into the trees.
.....and look here! Buds! OK, it's not actually down by the house, it's up at the road, but they're close!
Here is some backfill video.
END OF POST! See you later!
Wow- there's an intact structure there! Looks like the concrete survived the snow, water and mud. Actually, it's difficult to tell from the photos that there was any muddy mess at all. The house site, for the type of work going on, looks meticulously tidy. Happy to hear about the buds. We had an early heat wave this weekend (temps in the 90's- yuck) and all the trees budded overnight. Can't wait to say goodbye to the NE heat and humidity, though. BTW, the kids loved the last video with George working the backhoe. The photos paint a great visual to all the ongoing work, and they also inspire some questions. Are those two concrete pads basically the interior support platforms for the central beam? We'd love to know more specifics about the french drain and radon install (where/how the tubing runs) and what George will do prior to pouring the basement floor and installing the radiant tubing (see our last comment from your previous post). We are going to make arrangements within the week to fly out near the end of May. We'll give you a call to determine the best timing for the trip.
ReplyDeleteYay! You're here! (I thought I'd lost you!)
ReplyDeleteGeorge likes to keep a neat site. Slogging through a mess is not his 'thing'. We woke up to another 3 inches this morning (ugh) but the moisture is terrific and it's already gone. The framing crew was out there at daybreak to sweep off the snow so they can work in a dry space. The lumber was dropped by 9, and they're out there working as we speak! Yes, the square pads are the supports for the posts that hold up the main beam. There are 4 beams in the house (including the pretty one in the living room) and they have to rest on a strong support.
Yeah, I was pretty stoked to see the buds too. They're just starting in my yard, and I love to watch it. I can give you specifics on the french drain, but no doubt I'd screw it up (lol). The goal is to keep water that drains naturally in the ground from pooling near the foundation and possibly shifting it or leaking into it. I have seen inferior pour jobs (this is NOT one) that had cracks and were not sealed and they leaked. In theory, a french drain will prevent that because the water will go into the perforated pipe and around to the front of the house where it will 'daylight' and drain. The radon system is similar in that ventilation is all that's needed for the radon the escape. It will follow the path of least resistance and the pipe (separate pipe) would be that path. There are outside vents as well as the one in the center that will pipe up and out through the roof vent.
The framing goes really fast from here. George's crew is amazing (like the foundation crew) and if I'm not careful I won't get great pictures. What would the kids like to see? Maybe I can time setting the beams? Maybe floor joists? It's all pretty cool. We're still a few weeks out of the well rig setting because of the mud, but the other stuff isn't so delicate. If the well rig settles one inch on either side off of level, the hole down 400 feet may miss the water. Zero room for error there, so we'll wait. I know you agree.
You'll have to talk to George about the radiant tubing because I know I'd tell you wrong. I don't totally 'get it'.
We got the survey this morning. Our side line got a bit off so we're a little closer to the side than the site plan shows but no worries. It just means more field to use!
Looking forward to seeing you in a month, call anytime!
(Personal note: baby shower this weekend! woo hoo, new grand-daughter!)
It's great that we can click on some photos to enlarge them and see more detail. Can you do this with all the photos you post? That would be awesome.
ReplyDeleteAs for the kids, they're into all the videos or any photos with heavy equipment, people or wildlife. The concrete isn't exiting them as much as seeing George man the tractor. They don't associate the foundation with a house yet. Once they see the structure being framed they'll realize that it's their new home taking shape. Beams, joists, walls, windows, doors- indeed, all it's all pretty cool. Post as much as you can.