August 13 - A Really Full Saturday

Full day begins with a full basement -

Saturdays are planned as full work days, and this one was especially full. The considerable rain that fell from Wednesday thru Friday left its mark at the building site. Since there is neither roof nor floor drain, the rain tends to accumulate within the walls. There are footings within the walls that are yet to be poured so the excavator made trenches where the footings will be laid. The rain could not wait for the footings, so it filled the trenches first.

Brian retrieves a metal stud from the trench that became a wading pool.

TMITYH also got in on the fun.


Notice the color coordinated outfit and tool.

Paul connects the hose to a pump and the pool is drained. So after the playtime in the puddle, the more serious work can begin.










Saturday tasks - 

Brent is building a size large form to be filled with concrete to serve as a footing for one of the two pillars that will hold up the front portico. The frame is the base on which the large box will rest.




Fred Kako adds bracing to the corner post on the front entryway.

I figure Fred spent quite some time finding a 2x4 with the right curve to use as a brace. But as with many things in life, perseverance pays off and the correct piece of wood fits perfectly. He said it was a special order.

Brent, who is a graduate engineer, tells me that the device Ed is using to trim the block is a 'cordless foam molecule separator - manual power'. Now, coming from any other, less learned source, I might be inclined to question the veracity of that name.

The kitchen walls are now full height. Scaffolding is constructed on the interior so that workers can walk around and operate at the top of the wall when the concrete is being poured to fill the foam blocks. Metal studs are fastened to the wall with long screws. Plastic hangers are affixed high on the stud which will hold the plank floor. A vertical 2x4 is secured to the hanger on the side away from the wall. A railing is then attached to these verticals for safety purposes.

In this picture you can see the scaffolding taking shape. The 2x4 bracing is needed to keep the foam block wall straight and vertical as the concrete is poured in. The brace pieces are secured on one end to the metal stud and on the other with a turnbuckle which is anchored to the ground with a large spike.







Scaffolding details -

Brian uses an ancient construction technique, the booted foot stomp, to secure the plastic hanger to the 2x4. The molded plastic assures a snug friction fit. The pieces are further held together with a screw.

Wayne Randall drives a size large metal spike into the ground to securely keep the heavy metal turnbuckle from slipping on the ground. The turnbuckle is screwed to the 2x4 brace. Turning the turnbuckle mechanism allows the wall to be adjusted to vertical. Some people think it is important that the walls be straight and vertical with corners that are plumb.

Ami Vaatainen works with Brian to build scaffolding. This view is looking into the kitchen area from the outside.

If all goes according to plan this week, the big wall-filling concrete pour will be on Saturday.