Pre-Slab Plumbing and Electrical Completed...

Today, we have completed the pre-slab plumbing and electrical conduit.  Also, we have a 6 inch PVC pipe in place for the dryer vent to be placed inside of.  This way, we can prevent the pressure on the dryer vent, and we can still use the galvanized vent pipe inside of the PVC.

The central vacuum pipes are also ready, and so, other than finish grading, we are ready to have the insulation radiant heat tubes put in place.

Here are the latest pictures including one of the garage floor drains.

 

  

  

Slow, Steady Progress

We are still trying to make progress, but it has definitely slowed down early this week...  Lots of little loose ends to tie up...

Today, Bradley and I almost finished the vacuum pipes and the wires for that.  We have just a couple more things to do on that system before the slab.

Tomorrow, we should get both the garage floor drains in as well as the conduit that needs to go under the slab for the main electric line coming into the laundry room and the lines to the kitchen island also.

Wednesday, we plan to have the finish grading done and compaction of the stone using a vibrator.

Then, on Thursday and Friday, we are ready to have the insulation and radiant tubing put in.

The plan right now is to pour the slab next week...

Of course, I had actually written part of this before the rain today...  Around 6:30PM, it started storming pretty good at the house site, so I don't know what this will do to plans...  Stay tuned ;)

Here are a couple of pictures of the current state.  You can see I have the sump pump pipe in now to go from the basement out the front, and I also show the vacuum pipes (and the rest of the plumbing of course).

 

  

  

Whole House Vacuum Pipes

Spent time late this week and today putting in pipes for a whole house vacuum system.  We will likely just have the pipes in initially, and then buy the actual vacuum later, but since the pipes are going under the slab, we have to plan ahead...

So, here are a couple of pictures today.  You can also see in the last two pictures the pipe for the stove vent -- it has to go under the slab since the stove is on an island.


The plumbing is nearly finished -- just need the floor drains in the garage put in, and the pipe for the sump pump.  Then, we'll be ready to finish the electrical conduit (just a few things need to be put in).  And, then we'll be ready to have the insulation and radiant heat tubing put in before pouring the slab...

 

  

  

  

After a Weekend Away...

Well, I was back home with my family for the weekend, and so just got back late last night...

While I was home, my camera was stolen (among other things), and so I am using my wife's camera for now, but when she goes back home, she'll take it with her...  So, I guess I'll have to do something about that during the next week...

Anyway, there was some progress early this week -- the PEX lines for our water supplies have been put in (most of them), and the well has been dug!  There is a bunch of water out on that side of the house to prove it, too...

Here are some pictures...

Drains Almost Finished

Today, my plumber got the drains almost finished.  I'm not sure if they pressure tested them or not, but they are very close.  He will be done by the end of next week.

Here are some more pictures...

 

  

  

Plumbing and Electrical Rough In Started...

I was pleasantly surprised today to get a phone call from my plumber, and he told me they had a change in their schedule which meant they will be roughing in the under-slab plumbing this week -- probably finishing early next week.

And, my electrician also was out there today, putting in the conduit for the two main incoming supply wires.  They are now waiting on the plumbing to get done in one area so they can complete the conduit work...

I was also in contact with my HVAC guy to get the stove venting to put under the slab (since we're using a downdraft vent for the stove on the island).  So, I'll go pick up that venting tomorrow morning, and I'll have the plumber dig out where it will go for me. Also, he told me that he will be pulling one of his crews off a job they are working on, and having them put in my radiant heat (insulation and tubing) as soon as all the other under slab work is done.  So, it looks like we will have very little, if any, delays between each of these tasks between now and when the framing starts...

In addition, I went to see my Amish framer/builder to give him an update on the status (since he doesn't have a phone).  Looks like they will be ready to start framing the first of October, which will be great -- if we can be ready by then!

So, here are some pictures of the work today...  I expected the work to be idle for a few days this week, but I was wrong!

 

  

  

  

  

Tons of Stone!

I toyed with using a title of "I'm Stoned", but decided that would be a little misleading...

So far, we have had about 300 tons of stone delivered, and we will probably need around 10 more tons -- maybe more...

So, here are the latest pictures...  I took a couple of pictures of the llama's across the street from us -- just to give a little feel for who our "neighbors" will be ;)

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Looking Like a Foundation

While waiting for three more loads of stone, I took a couple of pictures just to show that it is beginning to look more like a house -- or at least a foundation...

Still lots to do, but we have reached a major milestone!

 

  

Site Preparation -- Almost Ready

Well, Todd's son did get most all the stone spread out, and it looks like we need 3 more loads to bring it all up to level...

I was also able to get the rest of the tiling in around the house, and so we're very close to ready to fill in a little stone and then bring the outside up to grade...

Here are a couple of pictures...  We should have the rest of the stone done tomorrow, and then we'll be ready for the plumbing and electrical conduit to go in.

 

  

 

Stone, Stone, and More Stone

We had 9 loads of stone delivered today -- 202 tons to backfill and bring the interior up to grade for the slab.  We are having it spread out right now, and I'll load some pictures of that afterward...

We will also have the forms off the last of the foundation wall a little later, also...

We were able to get most of the tiling in for drainage for the downspouts, and some 4" PVC down into that tiling.  It isn't finished yet, but will be later -- when the rest of the forms have been removed...

I also had my electrician come out this morning and put some conduit through the sleeves to bring the conduit up a bit so they don't have to do quite so much digging when it's time to put those in...  I'll leave the drain open so my plumber can access it without too much trouble also...

So, here are some pictures, and I should be loading some more later tonight...

 

  

  

  

  

Foundation Wall: Part III

We finally have the rest of the foundation walls poured, and we're about ready to backfill with stone, and then start putting in the plumbing, etc, under the slab...

Here is one lone picture today, and the forms will be taken off tomorrow, plus stone will be put in.  So, expect a few more pictures tomorrow...

Preparing for Plumbing

Since it is wet out today, and we're having to wait until next week to pour the last of the foundation walls, I decided to go out and measure and mark some of the main walls to make it a little easier to rough in the plumbing under the slab.  I'll be meeting Aaron on Monday to go over the details, etc.

Here are a few pictures -- some are of the re-bar and string marking the rooms in the "front" half of the house, and then a couple of the entire foundation walls...

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

Rain Check...

Well, this isn't Ike, but it is rain...  We will have to wait until at least Monday to pour the last part of the walls.  The forms are in place, and waiting, but we will never get the truck in to pour this wall until it dries up a bit...

No pictures today, but I should get a few over the weekend, and I'm planning to mark relevant wall locations with re-bar and string for my plumber and electrician to know where the pipes and conduit need to be set...

Foundation Wall: Part II

We were able to get the second of three sections of the foundation wall poured today...

Here are some pictures of getting ready, and then a few from the road, and of the pour...