Firm Foundation

Once the site prep was completed, it was time to start the foundation.  This process and the framing that followed was intriguing to me as I was impressed by how each layer linked in to the layer before and after it to build a structure that seems amazingly safe and durable to me.  I’ll show you what I mean in pictures as we proceed.

We opted to use a stem wall foundation rather than a monolithic foundation because Jacob wanted the bare bones of the house to be strong and of good quality.  This type foundation, while more expensive, was the best choice for a sloping property like ours.

These footers were dug into the sand with rebar (not sure of the spelling) in the bottom for the concrete to be poured in.  Notice the diagonal rebar.  Those will stand up once the concrete is poured to link into the next layer as you’ll see.

Footers are poured with rebar standing up around the perimeter of the house and under all the load bearing walls. 

Then the footers were built up with concrete blocks with the rebar sticking through them.

Then more footers were dug and rebar placed for the interior walls and fireplace.  The sand was covered with a plastic moisture barrier before the concrete slab was poured and the rebar was bent over so that it would be incorporated into the next layer.  That means that rebar is down in the sand below the concrete footer, through the concrete, through the blocks and now will be in the slab.  I think it’s pretty cool and makes me feel like my family will be as protected as possible.

Jacob was talking to the concrete guys when they were pouring the slab and they told him that our contractor was doing it right, not cutting corners where many people often try to.

 

At this point we started to freak out a little bit about the floorplan wondering how we could possibly live in what appeared to be small spaces, but everyone warned us of this, so we tried to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Here we are enjoying it along the way:

Joshua sitting in his usual vantage point.

Watching Daddy take pictures of the progress outside.  Poor Josiah was already at school

Me and my boys sure do love a picnic!  Jacob usually reluctantly obliges.  Josiah was being a ham for the camera and Elijah spent most of the time fussing about having to eat veggies, so that explains the number of pictures they each have below :)

I love this sweaty boy!