More progress! And your input needed!

Well, a couple of things happened this week. First, the waterproofing crew came and waterproofed the outside of the basement walls with some kind of rubbery grey green stuff. Then the plumbers came and set the sewer lines under the slab and tied them into the old sewer line that goes out to the street. And finally, the slab crew came and started getting ready to pour the basement floor. So that is good.

Once the sewer lines get inspected the slab guys can finish forming up the slab and pour the basement floor. And then framing can start. So hopefully, by this time next week we will have some pictures that look a little like a house!

We also met with a good friend from long ago who is a kitchen designer. This led to all kinds of issues, one of which was counter tops. I had suggested earlier we consider going with a laminate counter top with an aluminum edge banding. Obviously, in today's world of granite this and marble that, this is probably somewhat unusual, but I think it would have a lot of character and could work well. The question becomes what color.

I'm leaning toward "Red Hot Allusion" (which you can see here; use your "back" button to get back to this page when done) although the primary user of the kitchen is not there with me just yet. (After all, "Red Hot Allusion" is "a sizzling red with Latin and Cuban influence"; who would not want that?) So, if you have any suggestions, let's hear them before it's too late. (And yes, I have already considered and dismissed "Viva! Allusion" (which is New) so no need suggesting that one).

Basement walls poured!

More progress!

Well, despite cold cold temperatures (where is global warming when you need it?), the basement walls got both formed and poured. And basement walls we got, pretty good size ones at that.

This picture is taken from the end of the old driveway looking toward the mailbox. The big walls off in the distance are for the front porch, which will have a fieldstone & concrete floor, hence the need for concrete walls.

Unfortunately, the porch walls are pretty tall. As most are aware, we are on the side of a hill. I estimate there is a change of elevation of about 40 feet from the front of the lot to the back. Forty feet is a good amount (about four stories), which explains why I have grown to hate the garbage can as much as I do (even though it does have wheels). So, with the top of the back basement wall set to grade, the top of the front basement wall is more than 9 feet in the air. Tricky, but hills can do that. Perhaps the real trick will be to somehow disguise the fact the front porch will be 9 feet in the air.

And believe it or not, we actually lowered the house about five feet from where it was before.

Oh well, all in a week’s work. The forms were stripped off yesterday and the plumber is coming on Monday to put the sewer lines in place so the basement floor can be poured next. And then framing can start.

we've got footers!

This was a productive week. After the grading from last week, a footer crew came and formed up the foundation footers and by weeks' end we had footers! Next up are poured concrete foundation walls; then rough plumbing and the basement floor. (This view is taken from the end of the old driveway looking toward the mailbox at the street.)

Got dirt!

So, we got a permit and had the ashes hauled off and have started grading. (For those in the know, the horizontal line of sand in the bank at the back of the picture is where the courtyard used to be).