VirginBuilder

Foundation Part 3, Walls!

So, there are various types of forms for concrete, but we went with a type that you can rent easily and doesn't require any cutting of forms. They fit together relatively easily and can be done easily by 2 people. I rented mine from Astrof Form Rentals in Snohomish, WA. They are very helpful. I was working by myself, however, and still was able to do it, but the 1 1/8 thick panels weigh a bloody ton and particularly on the taller walls required a lot of muscling into place, a lot of cursing, heavily scratched up arms, and did I mention cursing? The most time consuming part was tying together the rebar web. Significant amounts of steel reinforce the concrete on my site now (several tons, all hand carried around and lifted into place and tied at every junction with metal wire.)

Oh yeah, the concrete. Since I'm new at this and worried about moisture, I decided to go with a product called Caltite. It's an industrial concrete water and vapor-proofing compound. Concrete normally acts like a sponge, drawing moisture in. I live in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle to be specific, and we have a little bit of moisture. Locals are referred to as Mossbacks, and this isn't considered an insult. You get the idea. So, I paid double to get this additive mixed in to the concrete, along with various admixtures that reduce the possibility of cracking. However, I'm now really darn sure that moisture won't get through the walls, even the partially below-level walls and affect any wood cabinetry that is installed on the inside of them. This is a nice piece of mind.

posted by VirginBuilder @ 3:00 PM