My new construction thread

[QuasarZ]

Looks like you are planning on some interior masonry walls?

Dare I ask what that ~2' wide L-shaped slot is for? (bottom center of last pic)

Going to have a 'wine cellar' or 'food storage' room under the front porch. That L shaped thing had a bad angle Jen I took the pic. It is going to be a storm cellar type entrance with stairs down so I can get access to the utility room and also I will fence that east side so dog can have access in and out to a run when I'm gone. I wanted that door to be walkout but after seeing how much grading was going to be required, I decided to just dig it down in that one spot and basically have a poured retaining wall.

 

[QuasarZ]

A few more grading pics.

 

[EddieWalker]

I sure like the idea of the food storage area. Could it double as a storm shelter?

Eddie

 

[QuasarZ]

I sure like the idea of the food storage area. Could it double as a storm shelter?

Eddie

Yes it can certainly be a storm shelter as well.
After some more delays we are finally starting framing tomorrow.

 

[Wakey]

Is that a GSD? I sometimes referred to a toy in the mouth as a pacifier!

Looking good, looking forward to updates.

 

[QuasarZ]

Is that a GSD? I sometimes referred to a toy in the mouth as a pacifier!

Looking good, looking forward to updates.

Yeah she will be 5 in December. I get the pacifier thing, always looking for something to put in her mouth. She always grabs shoes and moves them. At least she doesn't chew on them or anything else. Just carries them around.

 

[QuasarZ]

A few framing pictures. We can't catch a break from the rain.

 

[EddieWalker]

Interesting. I've never done any type or work building a basement or walkout basement, so this is all new to me. What is the reasoning to not pouring concrete for the floor before framing? Is the gravel part of a drainage plan to remove water that might come in from under the building or the surrounding hillside? Are you using pressure treated wood for your sill plates?

Your framers know what they are doing. I do my headers the other way around, I like to have my cripple studs above the header and solid wood over the window. Both ways are right, but with solid wood over the window, you can hang anything you want for a window treatment and always have wood to attach I to. When doing 2x6 walls, I like to add another layer of plywood and 2x to make it flush. Strength wise, it's a waste of money since you don't need it structurally, it's just a small expense that makes me feel better.

Congrats on your progress, I'm looking forward to see more of it!!

Eddie

 

[QuasarZ]

Thanks. We don't pour the floor till the end so we can put plumbing and whatever else we want under it first. The gravel is code here and it acts as a capillary break, so basically like you said, in case it gets wet under slab. Sill plates are pressure treated. Hoping for more nice weather as the rain has put us behind a bit.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Yeah she will be 5 in December. I get the pacifier thing, always looking for something to put in her mouth. She always grabs shoes and moves them. At least she doesn't chew on them or anything else. Just carries them around.

Beautiful pup, I can tell she's having the most fun. It is "her job" to carry something.
Love watching the build develop. It is so different than construction around here. If you told a local contractor you wanted a basement, he'd have to go look it up in the dictionary.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Dishpointer]

Looks like you are going to have a beautiful house. Can't wait to see it progress as I wil be building our first house and shop next spring.