Solving small problems is a huge part of building. I’ve always enjoyed crossword puzzles and the like, so I shouldn’t be at all surprised that I am enjoying building the house so much. Today’s problem was how to lift 24 …
Before the subfloor can be nailed onto the joists, small sections of 2×12 called “blocking” must be installed. Together with the rim joists they ensure that the floor joists won’t roll onto their flat sides where they can easily bend. …
Flooring is pretty basic, and if you’ve ever noticed how a deck is built then you have the gist of it. Long boards called joists are laid out parallel with each other and on their sides so they won’t bend …
With all of the 1st floor walls complete, it was neat to be able to navigate the rooms and get an idea of the feel of the dimensions of the house. Before moving on to the 2nd floor I needed …
In my last post, I discussed how using advanced framing would help me lower my heating bill by creating more space for insulation. However, insulating a house is just one of the ways to reduce the amount of energy needed …
To an experienced framer, the work I have completed over the last couple of days would seem wrong. It is quite possible they would never have seen a house framed the way that I am framing mine. A few might …
After spending the weekend spraying the new slab down every hour or so, it was finally time to get the walls up! This process of “wet curing” concrete can add up to 50 percent more strength when done for 3-7 …
One thing I realized I forgot to document was that I placed a cardboard box around the DWV pipe for the downstairs tub and filled it with gravel. This will allow me to easily break the thin layer of concrete …
Capillary forces are very powerful. Have you ever been to a redwood forest and wondered how water gets from the roots to the leaves at the very top of the tree? The answer is capillary force, and surprisingly, it works …
After a couple weeks of frustration, I was rewarded with my second passing inspection today, giving me a green light to pour the concrete slab that will complete the foundation. I do have a few more steps to take before …
Step 7a – Pull Stakes and Forms, Insulate, and Reinspect Read more »