Uncles, cousin, pastor, friend - we were blessed with a willing and able work crew to pour the cement, basement walls.
Standing on scaffolding/wall braces.
Pastor manned the cement pump hose.
Bill did the "dirty work."
Uncles in on the action. Richard and cousin Erik handled the vibrator (see first picture). Rolf and Hans went behind, trowels in hand. Hans, do you call that working?
Dad kept a lookout for bowing walls. This window needed a bit more bracing.July 17, 2010 -- Taking Down Braces
Thankful for uncle Jerry (not pictured) and cousin Anders' help. July 19, 2010 -- Completion of preparing basement floor
A moment of joy. Hannah finishes painstakingly leveling the pea rock floor.
Once leveled, the rock was covered with heavy plastic. (I get a little fresh air and catch up on the progress after a long day of baking.)
The plastic is covered with dense, yellow foam. Working late into the evening to complete the job.July 21, 2010 -- Floor heat pipes installed
A plumber arranges the pipe.July 23, 2010 -- Basement floor poured
The cement truck's first job of the day. Runny cement poured from the cement truck into the giant pump.
The pump's arm reached over our garage...
...directed with remote control by the operator...
...and aimed by the cement crew.
Rough leveling....
...followed by a few hours of careful smoothing. A beautiful job.July 24, 2010 -- Happy Anniversary, Dad and Mom!
Thirty-three years and counting.July 30, 2010 (One of many days) -- Preparing for back filling
Sticky sheets of tar water-proofing applied to the exterior of the basement walls.
Yards of drainage tube surrounds the foundation. August 3-5, 2010 -- Load-bearing wall, trusses and sheeting
Our carpenter friend, Matt, and his friend pound one of the last trusses in place. Soon we'll have a ceiling/floor!August 7, 2010 -- More uncle/cousin help
Anders and Jerry saw a Logix block to size. Main floor walls begin to rise.August 9, 2010 -- Wall building continues
There's the door!
Dad muscles a block into place.
