We had a minor setback this week. November 15 (the start of deer hunting season) has taken a toll on the project. We had hoped to be setting the trusses by now, but are several days behind. I had allowed an extra week in the schedule knowing of this potential, but the loss of momentum is disconcerting nonetheless. Our framing crew was a crew of one this week, so we hope to pick up next week.
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| Framing both sections of the double wall simultaneously |
The window well for the basement egress window is complete at the expense of a hammer drill I have had for only a couple of years. I rode it too hard on this project. I guess that is why we have contingency funds.
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| Sectional window well for basement egress window |
We did get the garage floor slab poured on a beautifully sunny day. All that remains is the entrance sidewalk and approach to the garage which I hope to pour early next week. I have asked the excavator to begin installing the septic system and finish grading the site. Getting he driveway in will be a great help.
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| He prepared and poured this entire slab by himself in one day |
The trusses were delivered with some little drama. The truck got stuck and had to be towed out. Some of our vegetation took a hit. The driver seemed to be having a bad day, so I did not pull out a can of “One of Those Guys” on him. Ok, we lost a couple of Autumn Olive, so he really did us a favor. We should be able to set the trusses early next week.
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| Yes it did snow a little today. The little trusses on top are pony trusses. The main trusses are too big to transport so they cut off the tops and ship them to be added in the field. |
We had picked up some used rubber roofing to use as liner for the grade level rainwater collection system. I opened up the folded material and cut it in to sections that would suit our application. The sections will need to be glued together, but the inventory is a little short and I will need to pick up some more.
I have made a significant blunder and have only myself to blame. A discussion several months ago with the concrete contractor had left him with an impression of the type of concrete sealer I wanted to use. I was waffling on the subject, but had in mind a concrete hardener in lieu of a sealer as it would require no maintenance. I failed to validate the material before it was applied and even I helped apply it.
The sealer arrived on the job site the day of the pour and the instructions require it be installed while the concrete is still wet. It is a toluene based sealer, which will be very durable, look great, and is even VOC compliant per the South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1168.
However I am extremely sensitive to off-gassing materials and had to this point gone to extreme measures to be sure none entered the project. The advantage of toluene is that it off-gasses almost immediately, and in an outdoor application there is low risk of exposure. Given my sensitivity to VOC's, the disadvantage is that in this extremely tightly constructed house we will not be able to maintain the finish. Unfortunately I am figuring this out after the fact.
The next week should be busy. This weekend the drillers will install the heat exchanger for the heat pump. The trusses will go up, and we should get in the dry. The septic system will be installed and the final grade around the building will be completed so we can finalize the exterior concrete at the entrances.
