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Tom Kochtanek
06-24-2005, 06:43 PM
For about a month I've been waiting for the concrete guys to set the forms on the foundation/footers they poured weeks ago. It looks as if it finally is going to happen :).

Unfortuntely I am 1000 miles away for the next three weeks, doing a Visiting Professor stint at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill :(. My son sent me this pic of the forms being set up yesterday afternoon, and hopefully by now they're done the pour and got it square and level :). Maybe it's better that I'm out of town now, so I don't get anally involved in matters I have little experience :).

I left instructions for the 19 year old to waterproof the walls once the forms a re stripped, and to begin the laying of the perforated drain tiles (4" black plastic pipes with slits in it, and a "sock" around it) on the outside perimeter of the structure. We are not pouring the slab for a while (still considering radiant heat) but plans are also to run drain tile on the INSIDE perimeter, running that into a sump pump. I did this on the addition I build onto my house and was surprised to note just how much moisture exists underneath those inside walls. We plan to backfill with 1" clean rock to allow water a place to permeate and collect, using the drain tiles to cary it off site. Hope it all works!

It's nice to be away for a while, but I miss "playing" with the 409 project in the evenings. When I return I hope to be able to spend more time on assembly of the front clip and the trim work. Need to install the interior (already covered and ready) as well. Results should be dramatic!

Hopefully in the coming months I will be able to frame the shell of the Manshed and get her under roof. Then I'll have a private place to work on the cars, while I continue advancing the various building projects. I like to keep busy :).

Cheers!
TomK

fatride
06-24-2005, 08:00 PM
Living quarters is what my woman calls my garage. My update involves, gutters up, two 3" area drains installed , 150 tons of porous fill to grade inside for concrete, 1" water line installed today," I have water" yea! I am researching under slab insulation for my radiant "in concrete" hot water heat. I am doing the work myself, took two weeks vacation starting last mon. Worked on garage every day this week. I will plumb in PVC for toilet, sink and shower Sunday.

JimKwiatkowski
06-24-2005, 08:36 PM
Ray,sounds like a nice place to live in,do you have any photos :dunno

Tom,your Manshed is starting to take shape,will it be done by wintertime?

Tom Kochtanek
06-24-2005, 09:39 PM
Fatride, you are wayyyy ahead of me, and I am envious :). I am still looking at radiant heat options, and am prepared to do much of the work myself. Having that boiler is a great start!

Jim, I have no timetable for completion. If I can get it framed and roofed and sided by Winter I will be happy camper :). The concrete subterannean area (40' by 60') has ten foot ceilings, with one section set at 16 foot. The floor above will be "stick built" (framed using dimensioned lumber) and will have pre-engineered rafters and an open floor design. I do not have plans to finish that upper floor right now. Just plans to rough in the plumbing.

I also have no budget. At least that's what I'm telling Barb :). She's been looking into my expenses a little too much lately, as it seems to be flying out the window each month. Since this construction has no revenue, she has every right to be concerned, but I hope to keep her distracted :). Barb is doing all the decision making regarding shingles, siding and windows. She was the one who recommended we engage an architect to match the condos we are building on the same tract of land. I just got the bill the other day (ouch!).

On another note, the condos are coming along. Got two buildings (4 condos) framed up and one has a new roof. Have windows on that one and plumbing is being installed. Starting on the next pair, alredy have the footers and am working on the rough plumbing that goes in before the slab is prepared. I am getting better at this process as we move through it. Glad to be able to contribute my skills, and am more than happy to have the wife work her magic in terms of design, colors, textures, and landscaping. I can do the work, just need direction :).

Here's a shot of the condos taken yesterday.

Enjoy!
TomK

TomO
06-27-2005, 11:46 PM
Tom - WOW how that piece of land has changed since my visit!!!!! Looks like things are really comming along nicely.

TomO

Tom Kochtanek
06-28-2005, 05:50 PM
Some pics from earlier today. Tomorrow we begin the pour for the roadbed, about 800 feet long, pretty straight, not much elevation, 22 feet wide, and privately owned by me. What could a fella do with such a piece of concrete :) :) :)

TomK

TomO
06-28-2005, 06:06 PM
I can think of what to do with about 60ft!!! Would require some water / lotts of VHT and a timer!!!

TomO

jim_ss409
06-29-2005, 08:37 AM
That'd make a dandy 1/8 mile dragstrip! :beerbang Somehow I think the people in the houses might not be quite as enthusiastic about that idea. :scratch
I like the floor heat idea. :deal I always thought that would be a nice way to go.