Day Four

Day Four - Thursday - October 18th ... wind-wind-wind

Work day was cut short due to high winds. Cement dust was blowing back into faces. Can't say I don't blame anyone for calling it quits.

Backhoe work was completed, meaning all exterior holes are dug. In all we lost a dogwood, a variegated something or other, a red barberry, a spirea and several hostas. While it was a tough decision to make it was easier to let them go than to try saving them through the winter months. Oh well ...

Crawl space beneath living room, I think, would have been the greatest challenge. Crew were at least six feet tall, and hunching over to dig must have been a real challenge.

I've taken many, many pictures of this process and will not bore everyone with all of them. If you've seen one hole you've seen them all ...

... and I'm sick of all the dirt ...

Day Three

With everything that has happened over the past three days (and previous week-ends) you gotta wonder if you thought things through thoroughly! While we thought we had removed all of the obstacles we still needed to dismantle or remove more stuff ...

The front deck framing and some of the railings needed to be "taken down". Foreman Matt and Larry made swift progress so backhoe could have proper access.

The "Dan/Mitch Walkway" had to go ... south wall of garage had settled ... it was sad to see it go as our sons-in-law had done the work for us.

The covered patio on the south was also under attack on day three. This is where underground pipes run from well to house ... fortunately we did not have a "water fountain"!

Brother-in-law Michael, in Alaska, works for Caterpillar. Unfortunately backhoe used here is a John Deere. OH NO!!!

There are piles of dirt EVERYWHERE! This is the smaller pile "growing" in front yard ... much more to come on Day Four though.

We are to have a total of 29 push piers when job is finished. Holes being dug vary from 2x2 to 2x4 depending on position of pier. Depth also varies from 2-5 feet. Now that's some hole!

So, day three is over. Alot of progress ... most of basement "digging" is nearing completion. Outside work has begun. There is a thin layer of gritty dust all over basement, some on the first floor and I'm sure second floor has not been spared. How do I know? Kleenex ... blowing my nose and I could smell a hint of concrete dust! Is nothing sacred?





Day Two

That's one pile of dirt you got there ...

This hole is one of two that is finished and ready for the push pier ...

Unfortunately we needed to further dismantle the bookshelves...

Two final holes ... for this room anyway!

I must say ... that's one heck of a mess and I'm so glad I don't have to put it back.

With all of the jack-hammering that has been done along with rebar cutting that is also occurring there is alot of airborne dust. There is a fine layer EVERYWHERE in the basement and some of it is filtering upstairs. Oh well, at any rate, another day under our belt.

Tomorrow's photos will be more interesting ... a backhoe will be here to dig trench around the house. Hm-m-m a moat? I'll be the "Queen of the Castle"!

Day One

We were told we needed to clear shelves and remove flannel board ... so ...

we did as we were told

... resulting in an overcrowded storage area ...

A mole?

 No, just a hole!

But, not just one, two!

This was after half a days work. There are still two more holes to be dug in this room ... wonder if there will be enough floor space for the temporary storage of the dirt, etc.! Only time will tell ...



Prep Work ...

Spent last week-end clearing out the basement rooms. Haven't seen them this "bare" since moving in 35 years ago!

Furnace room area at north end of big room. See the lovely new furnace?

My "sewing library" at south end of big room. I have since learned that I will need to empty that area as they will be digging up floor at that end to put in push piers.

Area under the stairway has become a major storage area for all of the other "stuff".

Even the bathroom was called into duty! Left the area open so it could be "utilized" when needed ...

... and in case I feel motivated ... I've got a temporary sewing station set up in the living room.

... and the prep work begins ... ho-hum

Where'd it go?

Here 'tis!

Dismantling south patio ...

... storing the stone tiles ...

Slate walkway

the "Dan/Mitch Walkway" will be removed by contractor



We're in countdown mode now. Work will soon begin to resolve our settling problems. Exterior prep is finished and I will begin clearing the basement rooms later this week ... ARGH!!!

Foundation repairs will occur on three sides of the garage, all footings on the "sunken" living room, and the west wall beneath the enclosed deck. In all we will have 29 "push piers" and 4-7 "anchor wall systems" installed. This should stabilize the foundation.

Dang Drought

Humongous Heat Pump -- twice the size of the old one.

Cooler temperatures are confusing our Iris ... they think it's spring?

Yes, we are in a drought. This is our well cap ... notice the "gap"?