Started New House

[saltman]

The didn't pour today, I guess the couldn't get the inspector out there until tomorrow.

Eddie not sure about the price of the "mud" they didn't give me that detailed of a bid but my neighbor said about 110 a yard is what he's used to paying. As you know everything is more in California. I do know it's taken them a while to do the "fine grading" and setting the rebar. The plumbing inspection was done last Friday and the forms were in, and all this week they did the re-bar and the "fine grading".

I have planted about 50 trees since I bought the property in 2004, I plan on planting more once I get up there full time. No native trees other than Yucca tress in this part of the high desert. I do have a lot of Junipers on the far end of the 175 acres, but I would hardly call them trees more like bushes. It's what your used to I guess I get claustrophobic when I visit family in Washington State but a few nice shade trees sure would be nice.

 

[saltman]

Here are some photos from Friday and Sat. They got the ok from the inspector to go ahead and pour.

 

[dave1949]

This is interesting. It looks like a vapor barrier, then some concrete? below the rebar grid? I bet the guy on the phone is looking for the next concrete truck

Quite a view you have there. I bet 50-100 acres looks like a postage stamp in that terrain.

Dave.

 

[EddieWalker]

The only place that I've seen straps like that was in CA before leaving there. I heard that in my area, they were changing it to a continous length up to the rafters, but I've never actually seen them that long. They also wanted them every four feet, so I'm a littel surpised that you don't have more of them.

The bolt holders are something new that I've never seen before. Looks like a smart idea that keeps them right where you want them.

Same with that form out into the middle of the slab. Is that just to get the bolts lined up? Then it comes out when the mud is graded?

Is that gravel over the plastic? What's the reason for it? Never seen that either.

Thanks for the pics,
Eddie

 

[saltman]

The material over the plastic is Sand. They called it "fine grading". They were happy I have unlimited amounts of sand on site in a near by wash.

The majority of the straps only seem to be on the wall without the double spread footing. The front of the house has a big porch that runs it's length so it has two big footings running the length of the house, one for the house and one for the porch which carries part of the load for the roof. The long straps tie into a "strong wall". All new to me it's been 20 years since I framed a house and we didn't pour slabs in WA state.

The board in the middle comes out when they pour, I guess it needs extra bolts since it's a plumbing wall?

The framing will be interesting, it's all 2x6 with a lot of strong walls. I have been told it's over engineered but the winds out there in the winter can high. The house was designed to have a 700 sq foot 2nd floor, but due to costs we took out the "walk in attic"

They are droppping lumber on Wed.

 

[saltman]

The poured the slab yesterday. The finish is super smooth, I had told them I planned on having them stain the concrete later for the finished floor, so maybe that's why they finished it this way. Looks really good, took them about 9 hours to pour. They still need to pour the wrap around patio.

Starting framing on Monday.

Derik

 

[ruralruss]

The poured the slab yesterday. The finish is super smooth, I had told them I planned on having them stain the concrete later for the finished floor, so maybe that's why they finished it this way. Looks really good, took them about 9 hours to pour. They still need to pour the wrap around patio.

Starting framing on Monday.

Derik

That is a beautiful location.

When we moved to CA many years ago form the Midwest I thought everything was such a boring brown. Four years later when the job took us back East I realized how much I missed the desert.

You are going to have a great place there.

Russ

 

[saltman]

Thanks Russ, I think you have to be here at least once to appreciate it. I am from Washington State and the high desert at my place here reminds me a lot of Eastern Washington without the cold cold winters. CA is one screwed up state but it's one of the most beautiful and diverse states I have been to. I can drive 12 miles east and drop from 3,300 feet to sea level and go from 70 degrees to 90 degrees or I can drive 40 min and be at 7,000 feet in the woods or drive 70 miles west and I am at the Ocean.

 

[saltman]

Started framing on Thursday, moving right along, four framers camping on site and working until the project is done.

I found out when the architect changed the plan from two stories to one he added a vaulted 16 foot ceiling throught the house, it already has 10 foot walls so your looking at the interior celing height in the photos trusses will be added to this which will be 12 x12 pitch.

 

[dave1949]

Looking good.

I suppose 16' vaulted ceilings are a good thing in a warm climate. Around here, folks build a lot of 1 1/2 story 'Cape' style homes. They often leave the second floor unfinished until they really need it or sometimes never. The standard Cape has a bathroom at the head of the central stairs and a bedroom at each end. Usually a dormer for each bedroom. It can be fairly inexpensive space.

Dave.