The Concrete Underground

[930dreamer]

You're getting closer and it looks great.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Did you shoot a nail or two into your garage floor for that wood block?

 

[hpw]

Did you shoot a nail or two into your garage floor for that wood block?

I would think a tapcon screw, easily removed, even easier installation and re-usable.

 

[joes169]

I think LL might be trying to learn to use one of these

or not.

I think I have those things stowed in the glovebox of every vehicle I own.............

Come to think of it though, it's been years since I remember any of the ready-mix companies giving them away, especially ones with a single digit phone pre-fix.........

LLWilly, sorry to hear that the money is drying up (only temporarily I'm sure) but I'm sure living in a '73 Winnebago on sight for a few years will only make you stronger...........

 

[Thedoc14]

Good news, once that floor is down its all up from there, and people will actually see what all your hard work and digging was all about..

 

[fergus]

Saw a conveyor truck on the job for the first time on my drive down to So Cal on Sunday. Pretty cool. Good to see you're still making progress.

 

[Chem1]

Could I add one more "awesome build" to the chorus of others!
Have you ever addressed why the back garage wing is set on an angle to the rest of the house? Why didn't you choose to run it parallel? As much as you thought everything else out I know there must be a reason!

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bet there are some tired boys today.

 

[ConCretin]

Just finished spreading out the curing fabric. The final slab on grade is tucked in for the night and I'm workin on a cocktail.

The placement went pretty flawlessly - the weather was perfect, which is half the battle.

We used 3000 psi concrete with a midrange.

You can see the sill detail I've been working on below. There is floor to ceiling glass to the outside. Since the slab dropped a foot, I needed a way to deal with the sill - what better way than more concrete.

We finished up with the Utility room;

Definitely a major milestone behind us. Next is a thorough clean up and re-grading of the road and parking areas in preparation for cold weather.

I'm afraid progress will slow even further until I can free up some cash and a crew although, as someone mentioned, it will be nice to catch our breath and re-group.

The next phase is the architectural and ICF walls. Since they support many of the steel floor beams, they need to be up before we can erect more structural steel.

I plan to start picking away at the architectural concrete within a week or so. I'll keep you all up to speed with whatever progress I can manage.

 

[zporta]

Looks good, those telebelt trucks are sweet. Sure beats getting worked by a pump truck

 

[murphym578]

This is an amazing build. I can't wait to see the finished property.

 

[ConCretin]

so the light buckets are just block-outs until you choose the up-lighting? I guess you'll just grout these in after?

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

You've got it right on the light buckets. We didn't have time to select and order the lights so I came up with the light bucket idea. I'll grout the lights in once we have them.

I agree with your comments about the lift lights but they have been done by others successfully so I figure I can make them work. Probably a waterproof landscape light with a replaceable lens.

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.

The only problem is that winter, my wife and the camper probably won't be a good combination. We'll probably rent something a bit more spacious for the cooler months.

Did you shoot a nail or two into your garage floor for that wood block?

I would think a tapcon screw, easily removed, even easier installation and re-usable.

Question and answer. What the hell do you need me for? The reason I put the radiant tubing directly on the insulation is that I have a lot of work to do above the slabs and I need to be able to attach forms, braces, etc.

Have you ever addressed why the back garage wing is set on an angle to the rest of the house? Why didn't you choose to run it parallel? As much as you thought everything else out I know there must be a reason!

I haven't. We turned the house as much as we could to maximize the southern exposure. We turned the garage even further to maximize the space in front. Plus it creates a neat angle when you see the house from above as you come down the driveway. The house and garage share an axis that ties it all together.

I bet there are some tired boys today.

Mostly this boy. I'm too freakin old for this.

WOW! Incredible

To date... how many man hours and how much concrete has been poured?

To be honest Dan, I haven't added it up lately. I'll check and get back to you.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

From the pictures posted today, it doesn't look like the leaves are turning yet up there in Maine. At the rate your crew is working, you'll have it all closed in by the time the snow flies. Enjoy your cocktail; you've earned it!

 

[NUTTSGT]

How are you going to prep the concrete for the winter ? What will it get covered with ?

 

[ConCretin]

How are you going to prep the concrete for the winter ? What will it get covered with ?

Nutts, Thats's an excellent question.................


To be honest, I haven't figured that out yet. When I started, I naively thought I'd have it closed in by winter. With no money or crew, that ain't happenen.

Not only do I have non air entrained slabs that won't like being exposed to freeze thaw cycles, I've also got lots of nooks and crannies that would love to hold water, freeze and...well you get the idea.

Luckily, I've still got a couple months to figure it out. I'll let you know what I come up with.

 

[Shoottx]

Nutts, Thats's an excellent question.................


To be honest, I haven't figured that out yet. When I started, I naively thought I'd have it closed in by winter. With no money or crew, that ain't happenen.

Not only do I have non air entrained slabs that won't like being exposed to freeze thaw cycles, I've also got lots of nooks and crannies that would love to hold water, freeze and...well you get the idea.

Luckily, I've still got a couple months to figure it out. I'll let you know what I come up with.

Only one answer A big air building, I have seen a couple of construction projects in Alaska and Canada done under an air dome. You know like the kind of air buildings used to cover outdoor athletic fields. In fact in one case the whole house was built inside of the air dome http://www.thefarleygroup.com/APPLICATIONS/IndustrialDomes/ConstructionCover/tabid/106/Default.aspx. And then you could save it and use it for a winter tennis court and a summer ice rink,

Just trying to help!

 

[pwschuh]

Only one answer A big air building

Or, for someone who is running short on funds, a couple of really big tent/awnings. Just enough to keep the rain and snow off the foundations.

 

[NUTTSGT]

My only thoughts would be straw, tarps, plastic and insulation blankets.

 

[JakeKohl]

Only one answer A big air building, I have seen a couple of construction projects in Alaska and Canada done under an air dome. You know like the kind of air buildings used to cover outdoor athletic fields. In fact in one case the whole house was built inside of the air dome http://www.thefarleygroup.com/APPLICATIONS/IndustrialDomes/ConstructionCover/tabid/106/Default.aspx. And then you could save it and use it for a winter tennis court and a summer ice rink,

Just trying to help!

Just hope that the power doesn't go out!

 

[Redmanf1]

That is some really nice work going on.

 

[Buzz Lightyear]

A couple of really nice updates and it's all coming together and making more sense to me.

Thanks again

 

[coolhandluke]

Getting to the (current) last page of this thread was my only disappointment. From here on out I will stay tuned for updates.

 

[3bar]

This thread is inspirational and makes me want to do everything i do absolutely perfectly - so that 1 day I too can have my own concrete underground !

learning about the concrete pour / materail / challenges is incredible - thank you for sharing your dream

 

[ConCretin]

Thanks to all who have followed the journey so far. You guys have no idea how much you have added to the project.

We're going to take some time to raise some cash and complete the design. When we're ready to take this thing through to completion, I'll be back. It just wouldn't be the same without the GJ. See ya soon.

 

[NUTTSGT]

You sir, deserve a break.

 

[HOTFR8]

Yes have a break but come back and see what the rest of us are busy working on and keep us informed as to your progress and any changes in plans.

 

[Capstone]

LL,

I've really enjoyed following the progress of your masterpiece. Rome wasn't built in a day. I admire your tenacity and attention to detail and rarely do those traits go unrewarded. Here's hoping your business thrives and provides you all the funds and more to complete this huge endeavor. Best of Luck

 

[pancho]

This is an amazing build. Thanks for sharing

 

[Buzz Lightyear]

I think you've earned some time to put your feet up and relax.

Looking forward to the next instalment.

 

[Big-Foot]

All I can say is holy SCHNIKES!!!!! What a build!!!!

That place is going to cost more than I earn in 20 years and totally outside the realm of anything I could even imagine for myself. However, I can still dream and live vicariously through the experiences of others...

Thank you for the time you take to share your dream!

 

[markf4e]

I miss seeing the updates from this almost every day. Thanks for sharing your awesome build!

 

[bighammer]

Just think of how much we would have missed if this started after the pouring of the slab. Actually turned out to be a GREAT Title.

 

[Nooner]

bump to keep such a great (and incomplete) thread from falling too far down the queue and to attract new readers

 

[SiGmA_X]

I have a question LL - What'd you wind up doing to keep the weather out?

 

[bighammer]

yea a current picture of what has been done in prep for winter would be great.

 

[PureSilver]

How I missed this I don't know, but (a) belatedly subscribed, and (b) definitely consider the turf roof. They work wonders for helping big concrete structures blend in, they're eco-friendly and they save you money. What's not to like?

 

[Justanoldguy]

Turf roof would look terrible with this design.
Just my opinion but worth millions.. lol

 

[Oggy]

Every time somebody posts on here I hope that he's restarted... and I keep getting disappointed....

 

[gooned]

With winter here and short on funds I'm sure this will be quiet till spring, LL has himself holed-up in an RV for the winter so he'll be as eager as any of us to get at 'er when funds allow!!

 

[ConCretin]

Hello lads, I'm still here. Haven't had much to post but I truly appreciate the continued interest.

I've pulled the dock for the year but unfortunately I neglected to take any pictures. You would have got a kick out of that little project.

I'll be winterizing the site and structure in the next week or so and will post a few pics.

We sold our house a couple weeks ago, which clears the deck to move the project forward. plan is to line up some financing and finish the design in the next month or so. I'm hoping to free up a crew and finish up the concrete superstructure over the winter. Hopefully by the time the weather breaks we can bring in all the follow on trades and be in by next fall. I might even build and outfit a garage along the way.

Thanks for your patience - we'll be back at it soon.