The man from the Clapham Omnibus

Building in Coupeville 4 - Ask everybody then verify ! . Sunrise over Penn Cove The next stage was to make sure that the basement would be dry . I decided on a belt and braces approach . First measure was to coat the walls with " asphalt emulsion " I chose asphalt as it can be applied to whet concrete . I initially broke off all the external protruding spring clips The I hammered off all the washers - as these are potential points of failure removed all loose concrete paying special attention to the footing brushed away all dust and debris especially again from the "dry joint" between the footing and the wall applied an initial coat by roller and brush where necessary into holes and crevices where the walls would e below ground level Second coated the wall being careful to ensure no gaps again being especially generous to the top of the footing and also where the spring clip shafts went through the walls Second task was to install insulation externally - I economi...

Just after the Labour Day weekend holiday Eric's team began setting up the forms that would hold the concrete in place around the reinforcing rods . Firstly Kurt examined the plans to determine where the driveway would end up . Now that the basement footings were in place he first calculated how high the ground floor surface would be . Then he took off 21 inches for the final height of the garage screed . This would give three steps down from the kitchen to the garage . From this he knew the height of the driveway at the garage . He then set up a string line from here heading to the driveway stub . This was to be the ground height across the building and determined where the basement concrete walls could step down . By code here the walls must either be full height so they are supported by the floor joists or can be a maximum of five feet to support a maximum of four feet of soil . Any more soil and the wall could bow out where the concrete attaches to the wooden section . The n...

After talking to everyone who would listen I got the details of three likely foundation guys . I contacted them and handed out plans . Eric Walters was recommended by JT Madson and his brother Mike . B and B construction and Chris Marty were also highly spoken of by local builders . I met with Eric at the weekend in Langley and got a price per Yard and a yardage estimate next day . It seemed reasonable and he could also start immediately. I then got a cheaper ( by $60 per yard ) one next day from B and B and was minded to accept it . I called them for clarification and a start date . I was disappointed but not surprised that they were quite busy - they also we going to charge me for more extras than Eric . They were avid hunters and the short hunting season was almost upon us and the elk in Idaho were calling . I had to go back to Eric and accept his quote . I am not one to play one contractor against another . Eric and his team turned up as he said a day later and set to work at onc...