Week_13
Blog Post Week 13: Excavator Training and Foundation Work on Units 7&8
During this week 13 we got an idea how difficult it is to control a large excavator. Three weeks before the end of the semester, the group also started to fix the foundation of the next units to be constructed, units 7&8.
11/13/2018 - Day 20
Strips of blue masking tape throughout both units greeted us Tuesday morning. Written on each strip was an associated task to help finish the interior components of each unit to make them move-in-ready.
Finishing up 1st and 2nd Unit
Among the tasks were:
* Install anti-tip bracket to each stove
* Patch/Caulk/Paint various locations throughout each unit
* Installation of Faucet Heads
* Electrical Outlets & Lighting Fixtures
* Cable & Internet Wall Outlets
Joseph went around and touched up areas that still needed to be painted. Mitch focused on installing plumbing fixtures in unit 10
New Site
Upon completion of the blue tape tasks we were at last able to move onto the footing forms for the next set of units. In order to lay the forms, we first needed to verify the measurements from the existing units and curb edge to assure the house would sit in its proper place in relation to the site. We came to the realization that there was an existing concrete foundation that needed to be cut back. We also quickly realized that hammering stakes was going to be quite a challenge, due to the fact that the soil is riddled with large stones. Notwithstanding we were able to commence what may be the final portion of the project to carry us through the semesters end.
Andy Dahlman
The Mechanical Room
Jörg arrived on site later in the morning and took the time to show students how the mechanical systems operated. In this image, it becomes clear that the valve flushing heads to clean the on-demand hot water heater every 12-18 months, is blocked by the gas main, which needs to be moved.
Radiant Pipes System
The image shows the three hydronic loops that will heat the concrete floor on the main floor - this system will provide more than enough heat for about 75% of the house. The remaining 25% on the upper floor will be heated (and cooled) by a Mini Split system.
11/15/2018 - Day 21
The job site today saw some of us working on the foundation of the next unit. After shooting the actual boardform layout from above to see that there were discrepancies, we started by attempting to get the layout parallel with the already constructed unit, but soon found out that there were larger issues. The position of the new unit was generally off, we found out (with the help of Mike, Brandon and Jörg) that the line for the new footing was over 14 inches too far west, therefore needed to come closer to the existing units 9&10.
This led to another problem, which was the foundation of the fire wall between the units that was poured when the car port for the previous unit was constructed. The foundation was in the way of moving the footing forms closer, which meant we had to demolish part of this solid concrete block. While those on the foundation team worked on these problems, the rest of the class was able to learn how to use the backhoe and begin moving rubble and dirt out of the way on the west end of the property, even our professor Jörg took a spin in it.
After the class took a group lunch at a close Chinese restaurant, we continued our site work.
Some of us started in on chipping away at the foundation that was in the way, using hammer drills. While the rest of the class moved inside to check the electrical which had recently been turned on. We quickly found many problems in unit 10. The first clue that something was wrong was the fact only one kitchen light came on while the others stayed dark, we quickly tested the bulbs and found this wasn’t the problem. We also found two walls of outlets in the downstairs had no power. The upstairs faired much worse: no lights worked, except for a light in the bathroom that is always on and is not hooked up to any switch and on top of that no outlets worked either. We also found two circuit breakers that would trip automatically, one of these could be exampled with the line for the dishwasher that isn’t hooked up yet but the other we have no idea. Unit 9 did much better, all the lights worked and almost all the outlets except for one wall in the master bedroom (which still is not good). Habitat will probably have to bring in a professional electrician to figure out what is going on and they may even need to remove sheet rock to get to the issues. This will set us back a long time.
Overall though it felt like a productive day, some of us had to find our own work, but things are really coming along.