Month of November

Lots of things happening simultaneously, making it difficult to be at the job.












Beginning to look like a mine.






Ray has stepped up to the plate reluctantly.

He seems to have settled down now that he feels comfortable with the day to day challenges.











Weather is changing getting much cooler. When the snow flies we may have to stop.

first section is done

Load bearing points on beam are identified

Columns made from 6 6X6 posts and 2 additional additional beams running parallel to fixed beam.

Big hole

Inches from the "finish" line

The goal of this stage is to get to a point where the house can be supported 5 feet in from the sill. That way a larger piece of equipment can come in and dig an 8-9 ft hole for the addition foundation. Shortly after that the digging will stop until spring.


The final dig will look like the whole front of the house is dug out with a deeper whole in front of it. This will allow excavating euipment to dig under the house.
Supporting the structure is becoming crucial.

A hydraulic hose ripped off the hammer yesterday. What a mess. Lots of confusion, pressure and rustration runing through my mind.


Anyway replaced a big honking fitting , $50 and new fluid $95 and we are ack in business.

The pile of dirt from the dig is 40-50 ft by 30 ft by 6 ft

It is getting exciting. And it is still fun... Ask me Monday

Working with your son

Working with my son has been enlightening for me. He has learned a lot and has the ability to figure out how to accomplish complex tasks.

This hasn't been easy for me. I still picture him as a pain in the ass teenager. He's 25. So I need to backdown and let him handle things on his own.

He has come up with an interesting approach to handling the 12 ft 4x6 beams that need to go over our head.

Turns out he has become a man. Go figure.

thoughts

Where do you stop?

Do I dig a complete cellar or crawlspace??

The benefits are ablility to heat cottage more efficiently, more storage and more stable.

If I do not do this moisture will creep in from below the heated space. Possibly causing fungus, moss, rot.....

I am about 20% through the digging It is tough mostly ledge.

The equipment costs per week, dirt removal costs, help costs, fill replacement costs, bridging and shoring materials cost..........

I have till Oct 19th to complete as much as possible. The goal is to have an 8' 6" hole across half the building.


later

pictoral history

Start date was Sept 20th

First came the chimney removal. Good bricks will be saved for a patio near the lake front.

Gravel will be removed and delivered nearby.

Chimney going.....

Chimney gone

Bricks removed and sorted

Windows out and Paul probing with mini excavator

Two 70+ yr old oak trees removed

Shed was moved across the street to another lot.

View of rafters

Mess is getting bigger

Getting in deep

Ray and Paul

Ray on mini excavator

Getting Deeper. About 6' 5" below floor rafters

Granite ledge that runs across building. This is a major challenge and very difficult to breakup.

Ray holding up building while we add posts.

Lake Project

This is a historical record of the lake project.

The goal is to make a 3 season cottage a year round home.

Water is from a well. The well water is filtered through a filtering system consisting of 3 tanks.
Heat is from a gas log. The gas is bottled propane.

Stove is electric.

Sewage is septic

The fireplace is not working for various reasons. Heatalator is rotted, roof pitches water onto the bricks. Cement is deteriorating. Because the chimney rests against the ground it ia always moist.

The building rests on rocks on the ground. The framing is dry (surprizingly) and show no signs of rot or insect damagee. The exterior walls rest on a sill. The sills rest on cinderblocks. The cinderblocks have settled 1-3 inches causing the house to sag slightly.


The project is to add a 12 X 16 cathedraled room to the existing structure. Remove the chimney.
The room will have a full cellar. All the mechanicals will go into the cellar. Heat will be forced hot air. AC is also desired. The room will have skylights and windows on two sides. Windows on the second floor will also be replaced.