OP
SamWalton
Platinum Member
We plan to rent a plate compactor.
Terra-Dome Earth Shelter Build
- Thread starter SamWalton
- Start date
- Views: 337916
We plan to rent a plate compactor.
dave1949
Super Star Member
Sam, watch your ventilation while compacting. Don't let the carbon monoxide sneak up on you. Might be worth running the biggest fan you own in the area you are running the compactor in.
Dave.
OP
SamWalton
Platinum Member
We haven't installed the windows yet but we will ventilate if nature doesn't help.
Thanks
Sam
dave1949
Super Star Member
A windy day would help for sure. Even with your spacious window openings, be careful. I got a good dose of CO poisoning once in a grain bin shoveling soybeans onto an elevator. The engine was outside and had a good sized door right in front of me, but the exhaust was pointed into the bin. It can be tricky stuff. I would be sure to have two people there while you do it, alternate running the compactor and going outside maybe.
Dave.
OP
SamWalton
Platinum Member
We were careful, because you could smell the exhaust gasses. There was somewhat of a breeze but we alternated the operator and shut off the engine frequently. You are correct about how easy you can become asphyxia. A close friend of mine died do to asphyxiation but they were able to revive him. It was a life changing event for him. I do thank you for emphasizing the importance of the hazard. We will continue to operate cautiously.
OP
SamWalton
Platinum Member
We have officially completed all conduit installations inside of our home with the last three speaker wire conduits. These conduits will simplify the wiring by preventing the need to wire across doorways or other room openings. Today we rented the plate compactor for $65 from Saturday through Tuesday morning to compact the stone base for our poured concrete floors. We installed a 12 inch tube to help carry the load of our 2500 lb Green Wood Hydronic Gasification boiler in the garage. We have many other conduits that go through our footings and will connect to our heat pumps outside unit or our future well and pump. Our electrical service entrance conduit is basically in place. We are going to hold off a litter longer before we get the electric coop to install the poles, line, transformer and meter. We have been pricing a quality vapor barrier. We are looking at about $900 for 3 rolls of Vapor Block 10 which is a 15' X100' mil blue high performance vapor retarder and tape and boots. We are going to shop around and get a price reduction of some kind because this sounds a bit too high. VaporBlock 10 | BuyPlasticNow.com
Anyway if you have any leads on a quality product at a good price please let us know. Thanks
Anyway if you have any leads on a quality product at a good price please let us know. Thanks
Last edited:
OP
SamWalton
Platinum Member
We purchased a 15 mil vapor barrier locally. We also get our windows in. We filled in the conduit notches in the footings to help us when laying the vapor barrier. We cleaned the leaky cold joints on the roof and applied a mesh material with more water proofing material. We don't need any roof leaks filling the plastic vapor barrier.
I need some help on pricing a quote to handle the concrete pour and finish. The guy said he would do it for 0.50 a square foot. Basically 28x28=784x4.5=3528x0.5=$1764 this is to pour and finish 50 yards of concrete for our slabs in 4 and a half modules. He provides the tools and labor. He wanted to put stakes to help level but I want him to use a laser. I got the feeling this may be a problem for him. Any suggestions?
I need some help on pricing a quote to handle the concrete pour and finish. The guy said he would do it for 0.50 a square foot. Basically 28x28=784x4.5=3528x0.5=$1764 this is to pour and finish 50 yards of concrete for our slabs in 4 and a half modules. He provides the tools and labor. He wanted to put stakes to help level but I want him to use a laser. I got the feeling this may be a problem for him. Any suggestions?
Last edited:
Depends on what you mean by using a laser...
When I worked in the concrete construction business we used a laser level/transit to set stakes...then a pipe was placed on top of the stakes...this was for out in the middle of a slab...then the screed was pulled over the pipes and the pipes were moved as the concrete was floated off...do you want him to use a laser screed? You need a good company to do this work for you...there will be lots of finishing and will all the penetrations through the floor he will need plenty of help on pour day...are you planning on a trowled finish? What are you plans for floor finish...carpet...hardwood...laminate...stained concrete?
Good luck Sam.
When I worked in the concrete construction business we used a laser level/transit to set stakes...then a pipe was placed on top of the stakes...this was for out in the middle of a slab...then the screed was pulled over the pipes and the pipes were moved as the concrete was floated off...do you want him to use a laser screed? You need a good company to do this work for you...there will be lots of finishing and will all the penetrations through the floor he will need plenty of help on pour day...are you planning on a trowled finish? What are you plans for floor finish...carpet...hardwood...laminate...stained concrete?
Good luck Sam.
hawkeye08
Elite Member
Awesome progress, great job, keep the pictures and updates coming.
From our experiences, I'm glad to see you so focused on getting the waterproofing right. Are you going to put in perimeter drain tubing (on the roof)? That's been our only recourse to fixing the leaks we've had (it works nicely). It is *way* easier to put in before you put dirt on the roof.... We have one more leak to go, it only shows up with a huge rain like 3" in 24 hours. It is also between the shop and barn, not in living space. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and the crew will dig it up Tuesday.
I don't know about concrete prices but I'm very happy with the floors they poured here. I've got about 20 plates set in the shop floor (1"x8"x8" with four 3/4-10 holes to tie things down). A guy spent all day with a laser lining things up, and they came out great.
Steve
Maine
