Recent content by wsettle

The concrete has been curing for over a month now and it's time to waterproof and backfill. I've chosen to use a locally obtained product called Masterseal. It's a BASF product called HLM-5000 roller grade. We have ground down all sharp edges, cleaned the surface (lightly ground off all form...

I live in a forested area as well and the local electric service requires me to bury 2 3" conduits in case one gets damaged by earth movement or more likely tree root damage. I don't know what the "safe" distance is from a tree for underground power but I would go with the trackhoe to also pull...

The pink stuff I have is high density and I think it's a closed cell syrofoam as well but not certain. Interesting about the fiberglass used on your walls. I would think that it would let water pass through and may even be a benefit over syrofoam to let water move down the wall quickly...

I don't see much water accumulation at the footings even during a hard rain. Ir runs off the hill as fast as it comes down. In the first few pics, you can see where I put a 6" pipe under the storm shelter so the long retaining wall will have a french drain running the entire length plus I'll...

I'm in central Arkansas so we don't get much snow. 1" would be an unusual "storm" but we usually just get dustings. Thanks!

No sump pit since the water only has about 30' to go before it's below the grade line of the lower level. Once I pour the upper and lower slab, I will slope the ground 1" every 5' so water will move away quickly. I will also be installing a french drain behind the retaining wall and storm...

Can you recommend a product that you have used? Thanks!

Re: Cleaning the surface of the concrete I think you are right. There were some honeycombs as well which indicate the same I believe.

50 yds so far :thumbup:

Thanks for the tip and it's something I didn't think of. I just added a bunch of windows to the rendering to get a feel for what they might look like. I'm still playing with wall height and roof pitch of garage to find the right size windows and placement. They have southern exposure so...

Thanks for the link. I've seen several membranes types and have been looking at one much like the one in your link. It's made by firestone, no dimples, and basically looks like a rubber inner tube. It comes in 12' and 15' lengths.

I've never done this but when I read the instructions on how or apply an elastomer coaring (tar like), they read like "surface must be clean, dry and free of surface defects". Now it is possible there is a spec to the SIZE of the surface defect that I haven't read about yet. Maybe the coating...

Cleaning the surface of the concrete Here are a couple of pics of my next task which is to clean the surface before applying the waterproof coating. The red circle is where I used a diamond cup wheel to lightly scratch the surface. I was surprised at how many bug holes it exposed. Is all...

I have started building my first home and it will have a 20' wide by 44' long drive through garage. Of course, I'll never have a clean enough garage to actually drive through but since it is on a steep slope, I have to limit my garage width since I'm terracing the hill side. It will have a...

Sorry to hear that. Looks like the guy has sold several of them over the past few years but this comment looks suspect in his description "and Not part of the previous Owner Business as of 7/24/2010".