SiGmA_X
Well-known member
+1! I keep refreshing, and don't see more updates!
The Concrete Underground
- Thread starter ConCretin
- Start date
Buzz Lightyear
Well-known member
Normally when there's a short break in updates the next one is a doozy!! So fingers crossed. 
I think there comes a time when a project slows especially when you are doing it yourself.
cderalow
Well-known member
especially when it involves a ton of concrete...
you know... 3-7 days of cure time...
you know... 3-7 days of cure time...
First off, let me apologize for the lack of updates. As I mentioned in my last post, I've lost my crew to paying work and progress has been limited to what I can get manage by myself. In addition, days are getting shorter and it seems like its always too dark to take pictures by the by the time I get something done.
With that said, let me bring you up to date. We've completed the vapor barrier, rigid insulation and radiant tubing for the garage slab.
As is my habit, I employed overkill when it comes to the reinforcing; #4's at 12" centers. No real justification. I just can't seem to help myself.
Here's the lift. You can see the vapor barrier, which I took great pains to install as thoroughly as possible. I'm sure there's still some water in the pit and I don't want problems with any future floor installation.
You can also see the 'light buckets' I installed for future floor lights under the lift. I got the idea on from ODIS here on GJ. It was a pain but I didn't want to miss the opportunity.
Heres a closer shot of the light buckets. We haven't selected any of the floor lights so I needed to come up with a way to rough them in. I used 6" corrugated drainage pipe and drilled it to accept male adapters for the sched. 40 conduit. I'll grout the actual lights in when the time comes. Since we aren't going to have any exposed concrete floors, it should work fine.
Here's a shot of some buckets for floor lights that will wash an architectural concrete wall in the corridor from the garage to the house;
Some of the lights we are considering require 7" of depth. I actually had to chip down into the top of the footing an inch to provide the necessary space.
All the red tape you see is Stego tape that comes with the 15 mil vapor barrier. It sticks like crazy.
Here's how we are handling the garage door openings. We're leaving 2" of rigid as a thermal break flush with the inside face of the wall. I'll pour a sloped apron to the outside.
With the prep work complete, we placed the slab. Since my guys were busy I had to use a sub. Since we give this guy a ton or work, I expect he'll use me right. His guys were definitely working hard to do a good job for me.
1,200 square feet requiring about 25 cy with all the haunches and thickened sections. I ordered a 4,000 psi mix with no air and a mid range, which gave us a nice 5" slump with minimal water. Overkill? Who me?.
As the concrete set, we removed the supports for the lift lights to allow the finishers better access. The buckets tried to float on us so we utilized a high tech solution - rocks.
When the concrete set a little further, we removed the supports for the lift itself.
We were very careful to finish to the proper point on the lift. Prominent warnings all over the place advise you to do so or void the warranty. I assume it has something to do with making sure water can't find it's way into the lift mechanism. You can see the light layout a little more clearly.
Given the warm temps, insulation underneath and rich mix, we had the machines on in no time.
Kind of hard to see but I set the floor drains 1 1/4" low. The slope side to side is about 6' and its closer to 10' in each direction the long way. The goal is to have water dropping off our vehicles run underneath to the drain.
After the guys cut a few control joints I covered the slab with curing fabric.
Next up is the house slab, which has even more detail. I'll probably be a month getting it ready. I'm just kidding about the time but I will try to post updates more regularly.
With that said, let me bring you up to date. We've completed the vapor barrier, rigid insulation and radiant tubing for the garage slab.
As is my habit, I employed overkill when it comes to the reinforcing; #4's at 12" centers. No real justification. I just can't seem to help myself.
Here's the lift. You can see the vapor barrier, which I took great pains to install as thoroughly as possible. I'm sure there's still some water in the pit and I don't want problems with any future floor installation.
You can also see the 'light buckets' I installed for future floor lights under the lift. I got the idea on from ODIS here on GJ. It was a pain but I didn't want to miss the opportunity.
Heres a closer shot of the light buckets. We haven't selected any of the floor lights so I needed to come up with a way to rough them in. I used 6" corrugated drainage pipe and drilled it to accept male adapters for the sched. 40 conduit. I'll grout the actual lights in when the time comes. Since we aren't going to have any exposed concrete floors, it should work fine.
Here's a shot of some buckets for floor lights that will wash an architectural concrete wall in the corridor from the garage to the house;
Some of the lights we are considering require 7" of depth. I actually had to chip down into the top of the footing an inch to provide the necessary space.
All the red tape you see is Stego tape that comes with the 15 mil vapor barrier. It sticks like crazy.
Here's how we are handling the garage door openings. We're leaving 2" of rigid as a thermal break flush with the inside face of the wall. I'll pour a sloped apron to the outside.
With the prep work complete, we placed the slab. Since my guys were busy I had to use a sub. Since we give this guy a ton or work, I expect he'll use me right. His guys were definitely working hard to do a good job for me.
1,200 square feet requiring about 25 cy with all the haunches and thickened sections. I ordered a 4,000 psi mix with no air and a mid range, which gave us a nice 5" slump with minimal water. Overkill? Who me?.
As the concrete set, we removed the supports for the lift lights to allow the finishers better access. The buckets tried to float on us so we utilized a high tech solution - rocks.
When the concrete set a little further, we removed the supports for the lift itself.
We were very careful to finish to the proper point on the lift. Prominent warnings all over the place advise you to do so or void the warranty. I assume it has something to do with making sure water can't find it's way into the lift mechanism. You can see the light layout a little more clearly.
Given the warm temps, insulation underneath and rich mix, we had the machines on in no time.
Kind of hard to see but I set the floor drains 1 1/4" low. The slope side to side is about 6' and its closer to 10' in each direction the long way. The goal is to have water dropping off our vehicles run underneath to the drain.
After the guys cut a few control joints I covered the slab with curing fabric.
Next up is the house slab, which has even more detail. I'll probably be a month getting it ready. I'm just kidding about the time but I will try to post updates more regularly.
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gooned, your second thought was correct. We have a 12" elevation change between the house and garage. We'll pour right into the slope for the garage level and then build a form for the house slab to pour out over it. I thickened the garage slab under the 'overlap' and threw in a couple #5 bars.
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ODIS
Well-known member
Wonderful work, LL. I'm pleased you were able to install the floor lights for your lift. I think you will really like this feature going forward.
It is a pleasure to follow the progress of your home and garage.
Ody.
It is a pleasure to follow the progress of your home and garage.
Ody.
I know your miles from the up lights but... I am going to site tomorrow to change out ALL the LED up-lights on a project we did, be carefull what lights you buy!
The ones we had fail were engineer spec'd special order from the UK, so not el-cheapo chinese **** either.
yeah I jumped the gun on the floor comment before you had the post "finnished" LOL
The ones we had fail were engineer spec'd special order from the UK, so not el-cheapo chinese **** either.
yeah I jumped the gun on the floor comment before you had the post "finnished" LOL
Woogeroo
Well-known member
What a place this is going to be, garage and all.
-W
-W
I can only imagine the sucky feeling not being able to use your crew and having to bring in a sub. The anxiety of wondering if they would complete the task up to your standard must have been overwhelming.
Bib Overalls
Well-known member
You might want to think about a ramp between the elevations. A little bit of forethought now can make your life in the "golden years" more enjoyable.
jktruck150
Well-known member
I just have to say, amazing engineering and I know A LOT of thought went into this! Looks like you have thought of hundrends of tiny details that will definately go appreciated in the future! This is an amazing build and I look forward to following it more!
Ody, It's the kind of detail I might have blown off in the thrash of getting things done if you guys hadn't encouraged me. Thanks
Yikes. Any additional thoughts you can share about this potential problem?
I know what you mean but luckily, I know these guys. They sent their best men and really wanted to do a good job for me.
Great idea. Since there is only a 12" drop and a long corridor, it would be easy to put one in a 'little' later. Other than this step, most all the spaces we'll need to use are on one floor. I gotta think ahead - I'm gonna have to live here a long time to pay for this thing.
Thanks to all for your continuing support.
Mr onetwo
Well-known member
Great lookin' work LL...it's coming along nicely!
bighammer
Well-known member
Looking good. I'm looking forward to seeing how the walls will go up.
Thedoc14
Well-known member
Wooowhoo Glad your Subs helped you out, not sure if I can wait months between your updates.. Looking great as usual.
Nick.
Nick.
Nuccio
Well-known member
Just read all 41 pages in one sitting wow. I am impressed and enjoyed looking at all those pics and reading all that info. I come from a concrete background and have poured over 100,000+ CY of cocncrete and you guys do nice work. I see you ran into a lot of wet days that screws you schedule way up. I am on a drilled pier foundation job right now at an airport right now my schedule is out the window with all the rain and ground water. I see that you say you will be using ICF's also what brand do you plan on using? I too have a a lot a bought a few years ago that one day plan on doing all ICF and cast in place floors and roof in the near future. Good luck on the rest of the project and look foward to seeing more pics.
PS: I see you guys form and pour on the same day do you not need inspections where your at? That is our worst problem always waiting on inspections unless we are working on some goverment jobs that have full time inspectors as we work.
PS: I see you guys form and pour on the same day do you not need inspections where your at? That is our worst problem always waiting on inspections unless we are working on some goverment jobs that have full time inspectors as we work.
squatch
Well-known member
I know you're busy. Just wanting to have a little fun.
skamp
Well-known member
I know you're busy. Just wanting to have a little fun.
No doubt! I have been checking every day for an update. This thread is a fix for a lot of us you know! Get to updating.
Steve
No doubt! I have been checking every day for an update. This thread is a fix for a lot of us you know! Get to updating.
Steve
I agree we need an update!
Bib Overalls
Well-known member
Never seen one before. I do my calculating the easy way. I ask the finisher "how much do you think we need?"
Wow, tough crowd. 
Actually there's a perfectly reasonable explaination for the lack of updates - There's nothin goin on. We are definately experiencing a lull in the action.
Not only have I lost my crew to more lucrative work but frankly, I've also run out of money. The good news is that our current house is under contract and we'll hopefully close in less than a month. This will free up the cash flow and allow us to keep going as crew becomes available again.
In the meantime, it's just me working nights and weekends. I am planning on placing the house slab Tuesday assuming I can get my work done between now and then. I'll get some pics up of my progress as I plod along.
I know you guys are just kidding around and really do appreciate your continuing interest. Once we get back in production mode, I'm looking forward to being able to post regular updates again.
Actually there's a perfectly reasonable explaination for the lack of updates - There's nothin goin on. We are definately experiencing a lull in the action.
Not only have I lost my crew to more lucrative work but frankly, I've also run out of money. The good news is that our current house is under contract and we'll hopefully close in less than a month. This will free up the cash flow and allow us to keep going as crew becomes available again.
In the meantime, it's just me working nights and weekends. I am planning on placing the house slab Tuesday assuming I can get my work done between now and then. I'll get some pics up of my progress as I plod along.
I know you guys are just kidding around and really do appreciate your continuing interest. Once we get back in production mode, I'm looking forward to being able to post regular updates again.
Postsedan
Well-known member
WOW! Incredible
To date... how many man hours and how much concrete has been poured?
Dan
To date... how many man hours and how much concrete has been poured?
Dan
ConstructionBoss
Well-known member
I think LL might be trying to learn to use one of these
or not.
That's pretty cool. Nice piece of history. I estimate in the highway construction industry and even in this day in age would love to have one like that for flat work. We have slide rules we use for underground drain pipe. It tells us the weight per foot for different size pipe and box culvert. Very handy.
As a DFW resident I also was curious as to what was at the site now where the concrete plant on the slide rule use to be located. A look at google maps reveals a scrap yard now. Did you used to work for Cliff-Crete, or buy from them? Looks like it was a long time ago with that short phone number!
Mr onetwo
Well-known member
Wow, tough crowd.
Not only have I lost my crew to more lucrative work but frankly, I've also run out of money.
Wow...I can relate to that.
I am living in a not quite finished house 2 years after under estimating the costs and getting a little extravagant with the design.Then I lost my framing crew at about 90% completion.It is dry and comfortable...just not done.
I even have my avatar out on the corner trying to make me some extra scratch! I hope this does not happen to you...this is such a great project!
Found it in a garage sale. Thought of the Concrete Underground immediately, and bought it.
Well I'm still plugging away. Before I post my meager progress, here's a shot of the curing fabric on the garage slab we placed a week ago Wednesday.
I watered down the slab right after the placement. I didn't do anything else and look how well the fabric maintained the moisture on the slab. The stuff works great.
I finished forming the 12" step from the house elevation to the garage elevation.
Here you can see the recessed lights that we placed with the garage slab and the continuation of lights in the upper placement
The forms on the right are for a concrete sill I'm building to transition across the elevation drop.
We added more lights under another architectural concrete wall across from the main entry door.
Here's a closeup of my improvised light bucket showing the conduit connected to the 6" pipe with male adapters
Here's my rough-in for floor outlets in the living room area.
Well there you go. Not much to look at but at least we're moving ahead. I think I can round up some ironworkers Monday to help me with the rebar so if I can pull off a good day tomorrow, I'll place the slab Tuesday or Wednesday.
I watered down the slab right after the placement. I didn't do anything else and look how well the fabric maintained the moisture on the slab. The stuff works great.
I finished forming the 12" step from the house elevation to the garage elevation.
Here you can see the recessed lights that we placed with the garage slab and the continuation of lights in the upper placement
The forms on the right are for a concrete sill I'm building to transition across the elevation drop.
We added more lights under another architectural concrete wall across from the main entry door.
Here's a closeup of my improvised light bucket showing the conduit connected to the 6" pipe with male adapters
Here's my rough-in for floor outlets in the living room area.
Well there you go. Not much to look at but at least we're moving ahead. I think I can round up some ironworkers Monday to help me with the rebar so if I can pull off a good day tomorrow, I'll place the slab Tuesday or Wednesday.
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mikefromme
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2009
- Messages
- 266
Huh?.?..
64dragnwagon
Well-known member
bamaspivey
Member
New to the forum and just spent the better part of 2 hours reading this post.
D A M N
I am thinking about a road trip to Maine just to see this thing in person!
D A M N
I am thinking about a road trip to Maine just to see this thing in person!
Leyenda30
Active member
LL.
Great progress for a slow time as you call it. I don't know how you kept ahead of all the details when ya'll were rolling full steam. To me taking a little breather can be a positive thing to smoke over little things more before the next push. I know weather and winter coming are on your mind so good luck and thanks for the updates, they make my day. JP
Great progress for a slow time as you call it. I don't know how you kept ahead of all the details when ya'll were rolling full steam. To me taking a little breather can be a positive thing to smoke over little things more before the next push. I know weather and winter coming are on your mind so good luck and thanks for the updates, they make my day. JP
Here's a closeup of my improvised light bucket showing the conduit connected to the 6" pipe with male adapters
Here's my rough-in for floor outlets in the living room area.
so the light buckets are just block-outs until you choose the up-lighting? I guess you'll just grout these in after?
Floor plugs in the living room are a great idea with your open floor plan and all those windows!
I was talking about the up-lights under the hoist to a friend and they commented on a few downsides, just wondering if anyone has comments on them:
- -gas spill
- -welding splatter
- -floor jack scratches
- -cooloant leaks etc
Keep up the great progress LL
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CoconutPete
Well-known member
So when your house goes under contract, the plan is to live on-site in the camper? nice, should give you a nice idea of day-to-day progress.
Looking forward to more pics.
I mixed a whopping 10lbs of grout for my backsplash this weekend. Beat that! 10lbs!!!!! Lol.
Looking forward to more pics.
I mixed a whopping 10lbs of grout for my backsplash this weekend. Beat that! 10lbs!!!!! Lol.
HOTFR8
Banned
I should have lived on site when my house was built. Sure would have saved many mistakes.
bighammer
Well-known member
To me this is all tied together and will look like a house after this next pour. Been a long journey from the first ground breaking to now. Very much enjoyed it!!!!!
Well we're gonna make it. Concrete will be here at 7:00 tomorrow morning.
My rebar superintendant showed up yesterday to give me a hand. We tied all the bar for the house. I lugged and he tied - he about killed me.
He came back with a couple guys today and finished up the connector;
and the utility room adjacent to the garage;
Here's an overview of the entire placement;
Over the weekend I finished up the form for the sill at the transition from house to garage.
and the edge forms at the glass walls
There were also dozens of details that didn't warrant photos but consumed a lot of time. Still have a couple more to deal with in the morning but we're placing concrete come hell or high water.
My rebar superintendant showed up yesterday to give me a hand. We tied all the bar for the house. I lugged and he tied - he about killed me.
He came back with a couple guys today and finished up the connector;
and the utility room adjacent to the garage;
Here's an overview of the entire placement;
Over the weekend I finished up the form for the sill at the transition from house to garage.
and the edge forms at the glass walls
There were also dozens of details that didn't warrant photos but consumed a lot of time. Still have a couple more to deal with in the morning but we're placing concrete come hell or high water.
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