Ready for the Pour!

Last week showed a lot of progress and it felt like it went quickly, but we were far from ready for concrete. This week proved just how much was still needed! Dad and I worked 4 full days with a laborer's help part time, and just got the forms to the point that they could be inspected on Thursday.


Inside the walls there was a lot of fine tuning required. Additional supports and braces were added to the shoring and the AmDeck blocks were tied down so they wouldn't move. The joints between Amdeck blocks were sealed wih spray foam, and an additional 1" layer of foam was added to the top, to create a deeper concrete joist.


On the outside and at all openings, OSB was added to reenforce any potential weak spots as well as to hold "bucking" and anchor bolts in place.


The weather was forecast to be rain on Thursday and Friday, so we took the time to protect the hillside by covering it with plastic sheeting. Of course, the predicted rain did not materialize until the time of this writing (late Friday night), and so far it has been pretty minor!


Next, the rebar was added to the roof deck joists, and the steel mesh that reenforces the slab was laid in place. This was more difficult than it sounds, because it comes in 7'x 20' long sheets, and takes 3 men to manuever. All of this steel was tied in place and held off of the foam forms with little concrete spacers called "dobies". The top edges of the walls were reenforced with 2"x4"s where needed, and a safety railing was added. Finally, the forms were complete!

The Structural Observation inspection went well on Thursday, as did the City Inspection today.

I am approved for the next pour!