The Foundation. If the Big Dig was a major event , this was certainly one to really push the limits even probably further. For starters, none of us are site guys, we’ve never dug a foundation, never installed batter boards, or even ordered concrete off a truck before. Russ has had experience with a transit, and found a concept to get us done. Just getting the layout of the house was a challenge as their were a lot of constraints between the septic tank, the property line, and large trees. We weren’t even sure a concrete truck could get to the site. The concrete company came out and confirmed it was doable. As the site owner - you are responsible for ensuring the truck can access and exit safely. Again - talk with professionals. They were very helpful. A next door neighbor, Troy, a retired commercial builder, and concrete expert was around to keep us on track. His advice was very much appreciated. Once everything had been confirmed…. we got to work digging this foundation. It was a stepped foundation due to the hill side. It drops 4 feet across 24ft. This phase started on June 5th and ended about June 22nd, 2020.
This was the starting point, then these batter boards were torn down and completely reworked. lol
Three workers. Russ, Mitch, K Bear
The sonotube would have to be sectioned. 18” diameter. 3X the post base.
Hand digging some of it. Not cool.
The red dirt has much higher compaction. The blacker dirt is soft, full of organics.
Stepped Foundation. Dropped 48” across the house.
Sonotube for porch posts.
The septic tank and drain field was straight back. Installed by others.
June 24, 2020. Ready for rebar and form steps.
The pink and yellow ribbons are tied to nails. This is to mark the height of your concrete at each location. The steps have been formed with plywood. Concrete fills to top of each of board. Steps were created in 8 inch increments.
Rebar the footers. #4 Rebar is 1/2” diameter.
Rebar the footers. A “post hole” was dug down to higher compaction level. This corner had soft ground. We went wide here to improve spanned area. Orange flags mark concrete height level.
Steps are installed. Footers have plenty of rebar. Septic Drain Line/Cleanout
We got pretty close with our levels. Not a disaster. The first truck was 8 yds. Dumping excess into the interior piers. The second truck was 2 yds. Easy to estimate a second truck, and easy to pour in two segments. 10 yds is a lot for a “compact cabin”. Because it stopped being a compact cabin two years ago. lol.
Concrete poured. Anchor bolts set for porch post base hardware. Shack in the background. Soon to be permanent parking….
Fresh concrete. View looking at the back. The lake is in front, down the hill.
Final Pour.
Concrete truck leaving site. Good clean out spot. Safe level spot for the truck to park. These drivers have a lot of responsibility.
Cured Concrete.
June 22, 2020. Cured Concrete.
Good place to dump excess concrete. This location is for HVAC equipment.