Above 1200 Sq/FT Overcoming Good-Deal-Itis One Project at a Time

[SilverJimmy]

Cam, I bet you wish your subs could do this!!!
These guys are good!

 

[madison069]

Wall base is looking good! What do they use to back fill in Arizona?

 

[larry4406]

That wall will look great.

I have that project in the coming future.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Wall base is looking good! What do they use to back fill in Arizona?

I’ll backfill most with the native soil that came out of the footer but the last 6”-8” I’ll use the A/B that we removed from the pad itself. And it’ll get thoroughly compacted as it’s going in. But that’s what I’m thinking of doing, the guy doing this might have a better plan!

 

[madison069]

I’ll backfill most with the native soil that came out of the footer but the last 6”-8” I’ll use the A/B that we removed from the pad itself. And it’ll get thoroughly compacted as it’s going in. But that’s what I’m thinking of doing, the guy doing this might have a better plan!

Wasn’t sure if limestone was available like it is here in Pa. But we use 3/4” size limestone called clean 57 or 2B, 12” behind the wall for backfill to get good drainage. With all of the frost heave we deal with, it’s critical to get the water out and provide some expansion behind retaining walls. Being Arizona, I’m sure yall just need to survive the heat!

 

[SilverJimmy]

Good info and also insight about drainage. Called my contractor just now and asked him about it, if I needed to provide any drainage like a French drain. He said that because the Versa-Lok blocks are dry stacked any water that gets behind it will drain right thru the wall and with it on the north side of my building most weather comes from the South-West so very little moisture will be there. Should be good… Should!

 

[SilverJimmy]

Crew is done for the day and will be back on Monday to finish the project. Looks great and is arrow straight and level! Stairs came out better than I expected too!
Only thing left are the small steps on the east end and then backfill.
I’m really impressed with these guys, they are doing a great job and their attention to detail is amazing! I have a lot more projects that we want to do to this home and I think I’ve found my crew!

 

[madison069]

Looks good!

 

[Xti04]

Wall and stairs look great!

 

[M.Brane]

I like your temporary flume for the downspout.

 

[SilverJimmy]

I like your temporary flume for the downspout.

Flume! Yup, that’s the word I couldn’t think of when trying to explain to the crew what I want as a permanent solution for the gutter rain fall flows. Everyone keeps telling me that I should bury some piping underground and then have the water go into a dry well. But I want to plant some fruit trees in that area after I fence off both ends between the shop and my neighbors fence to the west. Have to keep the deer and javelina out of there so they don’t eat everything! So my idea is for some masonry “flumes” to direct the water across and down the foundation pad where the water can then spread out and irrigate my trees. Any suggestions?
Thanks again for all you guys following along on my journey, I appreciate your input!

 

[burger]

I had not heard of javelinas so I googled it. A wild mini pig? Are they common? Pennsylvanian here. We get wild turkeys, lots of racoons, eagles, occasional rumors of a coyote or mountain lion or bear.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Actually they are very large rodents! Or some other kind of stinky beasts!

 

[LXCam]

I had not heard of javelinas so I googled it. A wild mini pig? Are they common? Pennsylvanian here. We get wild turkeys, lots of racoons, eagles, occasional rumors of a coyote or mountain lion or bear.

Actually they are very large rodents! Or some other kind of stinky beasts!

Yup, they’re giant rats with tusks that smell like hell and have a real bad attitude.

 

[burger]

Google insists that they are a pig and not a rat but completely agrees on the smelliness! How common are they?

And also Jimmy, sorry to hear of your recent health issues with your eyes. I would not want to deal with that. I'm currently recovering from broken ribs. Recovering from things *****.

 

[Old Man Roger]

They are neither a pig or a rodent. They’re molecularly and genetically closer to a rhino, horse, or taper than they are a rodent or a pig.

 

[Old Man Roger]

And they have multiple stomaches, where a pig only has one. This concludes my knowledge of the skunk pig.

 

[SilverJimmy]

All I know is that I don’t want them living at my place, they destroy what they like to eat and also like to have big oil dust baths in my yard!

 

[M.Brane]

Nasty creatures they are.

I work in highway maintenance so I know a little about drainage. it's kinda important if you want your stuff to last.

 

[Finallygotit]

All I know is that I don’t want them living at my place, they destroy what they like to eat and also like to have big oil dust baths in my yard!

They also have pretty poor eyesight.

 

[SilverJimmy]

They also have pretty poor eyesight.

My eye is getting better! That was harsh!

 

[Old Man Roger]

Don’t worry, if that one goes bad you can probably get a pigs eye. In a pigs eye.