Foundation Complete

They wrapped up the basement foundation and walls today and applied the waterproofing. Next week will be the backfill and then on to framing the main floor.

Basement Walls

Some good progress on the basement walls today - hopefully the weather has turned and there will be no more snow to slow things down.

Race Against Time

So today was filled with the rush of getting the footings poured before more snow arrived....unfortunately the Wyckoff Township inspector didn't seem to share in our sense of urgency. He finally showed around 1pm and gave the green-light for the concrete pour.

By that time the yard had thawed out and was going to be interesting going for the mixer truck.

First we tried forwards

Then backwards

But in both cases the mud was too deep, and since no one wanted a truck stuck in the backyard, they had to use the bucket loader to transport the concrete 

Shortly after they finished the snow began - hopefully it doesn't last long and they'll start running the block up later this week

The Footings Saga

Rewind to a little over a week ago, and we were all ready to pour the footings for the foundation

But due to the water table being so high, the inspector decided the ground was too soft and that we needed to bring out a soil engineer. She recommended that we dig off the soft mud down to the clay and then compact some stone for the footings to rest on. In the meantime the wetness grew a bit worse....

And then this happened...

Now a little over a week later we're ready for try #2 on the footings. The forms were ripped out, the compacted stone laid, and in the process they found a previously unknown seepage pit that was a source for much of the water. So things are looking much better now and we're hoping the inspector gives the ok tomorrow morning....stay tuned.

Spring Training

Not construction related per se, but while the snow was falling and we're waiting for the foundation pit to dry out so the foundation can be poured, the boys escaped to Florida to take in some spring training. Good times!

The Dig

Late last week and early this week has been spent digging out the foundation. They're expecting to finish framing the footing and having that inspected tomorrow - then we'll have to wait and see what happens with the storm and when they can pour the footing.