A lot is happening

In my last post we saw the electric power going underground. I really couldn't do much until that was done, so I gathered materials for the next few steps. Specifically, prepping for rough-in plumbing and getting the pad ready for concrete.


The pad is on "new" fill so it needed to be compacted. For that I rented a 6 ton vibrating compacting roller. I rolled the entire interior as well as the perimeter, compacting and settling as much of the area as possible.

Timelapse Video:


This thing did that job very well. It appears as if the entire pad was compressed by an inch or two. That's just my estimation as I didn't have the equipment to make any accurate measurements. I can say none of my vehicles leave tire tracks, the surface is very hard.


Next step was to install the rough-in plumbing. Much of this was done with the help of my good friend, Earl. Thanks buddy, I really appreciate your help for those two days we spent digging and getting very wet in the rain. All had to be in place before the concrete can be poured. It doesn't have to be connected to anything yet, just located in the right spot before the concrete makes it permanent. Measure twice...three...four times to be sure. Even with that, I still have to move the shower an inch and a half. Fortunately, easily done before the concrete comes.


My deadline for the rough-in was this past Monday (the 24th), as that was the day several truckloads of pea gravel was due to arrive and then be finished to final sub-grade level. With Earl's help we completed it just as dark set in on Sunday.


On Monday, Dave, of Horst Excavating, showed up with his skid steer and immediately got to work just after the first load of gravel arrived. Bucket by bucket, the gravel was spread, graded and finished to the correct level. Using a laser and a taut string, we raked here, added there, and removed from that side to get the sub-grade where it needed to be. Concrete will be five inches thick overall and seven inches in the area of the lift.
Video:










The next step will be to cover the entire area with 6 mil plastic (vapor barrier), install rebar and wire mesh, then get my concrete guys to check over the preparation and order the concrete.

Hope to get this done in the next few weeks and then I can get to putting the siding on and the building closed in. Well, after I get the big steel overhead doors ordered and installed.

We'll see how it goes.

Stay Tuned!

We're moving underground!

When I started this project I always knew I would have to move the electric service away from the building. Scheduling and implementing these types of things create some logistical challenges. Builders, power companies and other utilities are never on the same schedule, nor could they be. It's up the the general contractor/homeowner/builder to coordinate these things.

Wires that were moved underground, before the pole barn was built.

I've never had to do any of this, so it is all new to me. Living in a very friendly rural area, folks are easy going and laid back so I thought things would be easy. They were for the most part. However, my ignorance of procedures, policies and the like did create some angst but I was able to overcome each issue and we now have safe underground power routed away from the building and life as we know it was restored.

I was going to move the power prior to erecting the building but Troyer Pole Buildings had a very busy tight schedule and I took the first date I could get. This just happened to be before the power company could do the move. Oh, and I had to provide the 4 ft trench and conduit subject to inspection and approval.

So, the building was up and I was told the trench had to be at least 10 ft away from any part of the building. I called my excavator guy, Horst Excavating. I laid out the path for the dig and POOF, we had a trench. I had to hand dig some areas close to the power poles but the trench was complete. Next assemble, glue up and place the 2.5" schedule 40 PVC conduit and call for the inspection.....FAIL. Seems I didn't understand the spec sheet.

I met with the gentleman from VEC (Volunteer Electric Cooperative). He pointed out my deficiencies, okay, the trench's deficiencies. I had used two 45 degree couplers and the wrong termination loops. The conduit could have no couplers which meant the trench had to be "adjusted" to allow the conduit to bend around the curve.

So off to Lowes for the correct termination loops and some additional conduit. Called the excavator, removed the very long glued up conduit, he dug the new section of trench, I cut, re-glued, placed, etc...

Look for the Advil...call for inspection... PASSED. YAY...where's my beer?

All this took about two weeks and today the job was completed. VEC arrived this morning with three trucks. Up the poles they went, completing the change-over in about three hours. We lost power for about a half hour...DONE.

Time lapse view...

Next up, compact the pad, add some gravel and prep for concrete. Might start the wall framing as well. Phew! I'm tired....

Stay Tuned!