My new construction thread

Kyle_in_Tex · Sep 6, 2014

When are you hoping to be "dryed in"? How about totally done to move in? Are you going to be doing any of the work or is it all to be contracted out?

dave1949 · Sep 6, 2014

Do you have any radon gas concerns in your area? The gravel bed is also where the radon collection pipes would be installed. Then risers through the attic. Radon gas, and in well water, is common here. They say it is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction | Radon | US Environmental Protection Agency
Active Subslab suction — also called subslab depressurization — is the most common and usually the most reliable radon reduction method. One or more suction pipes are inserted through the floor slab into the crushed rock or soil underneath. They also may be inserted below the concrete slab from outside the home. The number and location of suction pipes that are needed depends on how easily air can move in the crushed rock or soil under the slab and on the strength of the radon source. Often, only a single suction point is needed.

For slab construction it is easy to install while building and doesn't cost much to put in place either whether you eventually use it or not. I use natural convection for my radon collection system. If that is insufficient then an in-the-pipe vertical fan is used to provide suction.

MN and WI have good state info if you Google 'radon mn map' or 'radon wi map'.

QuasarZ · Sep 6, 2014

Kyle_in_Tex said:
When are you hoping to be "dryed in"? How about totally done to move in? Are you going to be doing any of the work or is it all to be contracted out?

Not sure about dry in. We keep getting pushed back with weather delays. Still shooting to be in by Christmas. I am going to be doing the floors and painting, probably some more random things here and there. My buddy is the contractor so I can do whatever I would like or have time for.

QuasarZ · Sep 6, 2014

dave1949 said:
Do you have any radon gas concerns in your area? The gravel bed is also where the radon collection pipes would be installed. Then risers through the attic. Radon gas, and in well water, is common here. They say it is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

For slab construction it is easy to install while building and doesn't cost much to put in place either whether you eventually use it or not. I use natural convection for my radon collection system. If that is insufficient then an in-the-pipe vertical fan is used to provide suction.

MN and WI have good state info if you Google 'radon mn map' or 'radon wi map'.

Radon venting is required in MN, and eventually will be required in WI, so I am just doing that now. Not much extra money or work for the insurance and piece of mind.

fordmantpw · Sep 6, 2014

QuasarZ said:
Going to have a 'wine cellar' or 'food storage' room under the front porch.

We did the same thing on our new home. The entire area under our front porch will be a storm cellar/shelter area.

Looking great! Love seeing the pics!

dave1949 · Sep 7, 2014

QuasarZ said:
Radon venting is required in MN, and eventually will be required in WI, so I am just doing that now. Not much extra money or work for the insurance and piece of mind.

That's good.

We have a fair amount of ground moisture here. In winter I can see a plume of warm and humid air rising out of the radon vent pipe on the roof. I wasn't particular enough about the piping in the attic that collected the air from the three risers, which resulted in frozen condensation in the pipe. Had to fix that later, no fun.

So, treat your radon pipes carefully--just like septic vents coming together for the stink pipe on the roof--and keep them insulated to avoid condensation freeze-ups. :2cents:

Hope you get a stretch of dry weather. When we built we got an early start with the foundation excavation, then stared at our mud hole from the (damp) camper we were living in while it rained the entire month of May. Add in two very large wet dogs. So see, it could be worse. :laughing:

QuasarZ · Sep 28, 2014

Finally got some dry weather and we got the rough framing complete. Now we just have to wait for windows which are a few weeks delayed so not much more progress to be made minus the house wrap and roofing coming soon.