Today, Matt and his crew started framing the lower level walls. The 2×4 wood studs are placed 2′ on center rather than 16″ because the 12″ of Hemcrete will provide enough stiffness to the structure.
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Matt frames the Southeast window.
Matt works on the top plate.
Framing the South Wall
The lower level is nearly completed at the end of the day. To the right the well is visible.
Matt Schillig and his crew completed the termite barrier today. It consists of 2 pieces of brown aluminum flashing, a continuous adhesive membrane, 1/2″ Advantek and caulk.
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Pieces of the aluminum termite barrier are laid over the AAC block.
Inside view of termite barrier and adhesive membrane over CMU wall.
Elijah installing Advantek over adhesive membrane
Matt installing Advantek
Termite barrier and Advantek on, overlapping spray foam insulation on CMU wall
After the Advantek is installed over the adhesive membrane, sealant is applied to prevent air leakage.
Matt Schillig
Today, the concrete slab was scored on a three foot grid, to prevent cracking. David Madera and Greg Flavell of Hemp Technologies also helped us to perform a full-size Hemcrete test.
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Scored Concrete Slab
Scored Concrete Slab
Hemcrete Mix
12" Hemcrete Form
Completed Hemcrete Wall
Today, JBS Construction came back to pour the concrete slab over the vapor barrier.
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JBS places a matrix of rebar over the hardened foam.
Concrete Pour in Mechanical Room
Jeff and Jackson Buscher
JBS Smoothing the Slab
Slab at Corner
New Storm Drain
New Box for Replaced Storm Drain
Today, Home Energy Partners came out to spray the closed-cell insulation for the slab and exterior walls.
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Advantek sheathing and brick mold are installed first to stop the foam and eventually to support the Hemcrete.
Brick Mold Installation
Home Energy Partners Spraying North Wall
Home Energy Partners Spraying North Wall
Home Energy Partners Spraying Underslab Foam Insulation
Home Energy Partners Spraying Underslab Foam Insulation
Spray Foam Insulation around Ground Loop Stub-out
Spray Foam Insulation on CMU
Today, another 20 mil. vapor barrier was spread over gravel, in preparation for the insulation and concrete slab.
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Drain and Insulation with Gravel
Finished Gravel
Vapor Barrier at CMU
All penetrations through the vapor barrier are carefully sealed.
Finished Vapor Barrier
Today the foam insulation and drain were installed at the edges of the stem walls, and the CMU was sealed.
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This insulation will serve as a thermal break for the concrete slab.
The CMU is sealed to lock out moisture.
These ties in the side of the CMU will serve a a mechanical connection to the spray foam insulation.
Today, Tim, Billy and other volunteers installed a ground loop, which will be connected to the Energy Recovery Ventilator in the Mechanical Room. These pipes will be filled with water, and will allow the ERV to take advantage of the constant temperature underground while supplying fresh air to the house.
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Ground Loop
These lines will connect to the ERV.
Today the underslab plumbing was completed.
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Ground Loop, Sewer and Greywater Lines
Washer, Tub Drain, Vent, Wastewater Heat Exchanger Stub-outs in Mechanical Room
Guthrie Masonry came today to install the AAC and Concrete blocks.
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The 12" AAC blocks are installed on top of the concrete footers.
The 12" concrete blocks create a retaining wall on the East side.
