The first two pours

The frame of the footing is the first stage of a build. This took place over 2 days and is more complex than a home on a flat lot. The slope required dropping the footing walls an extra four feet because of the slope. The step down is in 3 parts because code requires dropping no more than 2 feet at a time. Careful measurements, lumber, rebar, stakes and steel brackets that Robbie and Dave made went into the finished frame. It was done by late Thursday, but the pour could only be arranged for Monday afternoon.

I came in late for the pour. The weather had been uncertain and the decision to carry on was called late. As I arrived, the pump truck was just packing up, having pumped one full truck and change, 19 cubic metres in all, into the footing of the house and garage. Niki, Robbie and Dave [Robbie’s brother]had levelled the cement then set in the dowels that connect the first two rows of blocks.

The crew quit for the weekend and returned Monday to take down the form structure. Work started straightaway on the wall structure. Robbie took Dennis and me over to the “warehouse”, near Martintown, to start bringing over the ICF blocks. [More on that trip in the next post.] Both Robbie and Dennis brought full trailer load back to the worksite and the Lego process began.

Lego is a bit deceptive. The blocks do assemble quickly, but this comes after careful chalkline measurements are taken. Once assembled, rebar is added continuously. This has to be measured, cut and bent for the corners. This was the case with the footing as well. The latter and the first couple of rows of forms had the added complexity of vertical, as well as horizontal bends, given the step shape of the foundation. The back footing is four feet lower than the rest of the house to accommodate for the walkout basement. The rise to the main level of footing had to be done in two 2-ft steps.

The decision was made to do the first level wall in 2 pours. With the back footing, the entire back wall height would be approximately 13 feet, right at the limit a safe and stable pour. Also, the french drain has to be placed around the footings and covered with gravel. A slinger truck has to be brought in to have the gravel reach the back corners and the walls can’t be too high. Nothing is available till week. We’re hoping earlier than later in order to continue the building. What’s there is encouraging.