Hooray ! Actual construction has been accomplished this week !
Overall: the chronic wet weather that has hampered us for weeks, finally abated and we went directly to hot, humid and sunny weather. We poured concrete footers this week and an old-old friend who resides nearby the site, provided some much needed, and greatly appreciated help.
Monday: Kermit and I spent the day digging in the trenches, removing muddy clay soil. The stuff was heavy and would stick to the shovel, making the effort difficult. By the end of the day, Kermit and I were physically spent, and the trench was ready for rebar. Called the building department for a footer inspection on Wednesday morning and ordered concrete for Wednesday afternoon.
Tuesday: Refitted step forms, and installed the required rebar. Lots of wire ties to lash the overlapping lengths of rebar, corner pieces and rebar bent specifically for the step forms.
Wednesday: Building inspector approved our footer prep work. A couple hours later, a concrete truck arrived with 9 cubic yards of readymix concrete. Kermit and I worked VERY hard for 2 hours, getting the concrete placed and finished. Relief (and joy) that we finally got the footers poured for the shop building. Called the mason, advising he could order materials and get them delivered to the site.
Thursday: Removed the step forms, installed the strings attached to batter boards, that accurately define the exact location of the building’s outer walls and corners. The string is then used to convey the same outer wall and corner locations directly to the freshly poured concrete. This information tells the mason exactly where to place the bottom course of concrete blocks.
Friday: Spoke to an excavator (Brad) who expressed interest digging the footers for us, back when Kermit was unable to source a backhoe to rent. He is willing and interested to dig the house footers next week: weather permitting. Brad and I will talk again Sunday evening to firm up plans.
Saturday: I called a very old friend (Kent) to ask if he wanted to earn a little cash with his Caterpillar loader. The concrete truck made enormous ruts getting into and out of the site. Kent said he was too busy with other obligations, but would drop off the loader so I complete that task myself. I spent Saturday afternoon, grading the areas damaged by the concrete truck. A big shout out to Kent ! Thank you !
Sunday: Scattered showers Saturday evening brought an inch of rain to our home in Bloomington. Drove out to the site late morning, and was pleasantly surprised to see a dry construction site, with barely 1/8 inch in the rain gauge. Scattered storms again this evening. Hoping for a similar result on Monday morning.
