May 14 Framing wall #2 and #3

Putting up the moisture barrier didn't take too much time or difficulty. This time instead of construction epoxy to hold it against the concrete wall, moisture barrier epoxy was used. 

For one it's much cheaper (about $6 for big tube) and it states that it never dries.

Things would have moved faster but putting the top plates we ran into couple problems that did slow down the progress but all together it was about 10 hrs to complete (that includes few breaks ;) )

Time spent: 10 hrs

Cost: ~ $150 (included 2x4, roll of moisture barrier paper, tape, and 100 pack of concrete screws.

End of April - May 12 Cracks LTD continues

After framing the first wall and running out of product to finish remaining cracks in foundation I took a bit of a break. After another kit came I worked on them randomly and they became bit easier to work in.

May 12 was the last day for foundation repairs.

Total structural cracked fixed: 12

Leaking or showing moisture signs our of 12: 4

Total cost of kit: ~$1,000

Saved: ~ $4,000 (after the cost of kit as per quote from crack doctor, (average is $500 per crack they charge)

Time spent: Hard to say, I'd say average is 3 hrs/crack not including time for epoxy to dry.(Total of about:36 hrs)

Other option was to dig out foundation around the house and water proof but that cost is about in range of $10,000 depending on the size of the lot and access.

Finally .... Foundation all done.

Apr 12 - Framing first wall

Here are some pics of the first wall that got framed.
After two foundation cracks were fixed on that specific wall it was ready to be framed.
Doing it right; concrete slab is covered with moisture barrier paper and tapped on joining parts. Construction epoxy was used to hold it in placed and stapled to the top beams.
1" inch gap was left between the 2x4's and the foundation to avoid moisture problems in the future.

Time spent: 8 hrs
Cost: Moisture barrier paper: $25 (still about half of a roll left)
Moisture barrier foil (will go on top of pink insulation): $35
2x4's about 30 of them used (bottom ones must be pressure treated):$75

April 11 - Foundation Repairs Session 1

Today I have spent quiet bit of time on repairing multiple cracks in the concrete foundation.
Not sure if the concrete was poured in winter but it has developed about 11 cracks, where average house has 3-5 tops. I didn't noticed any of them leaking but some of them showed some moisture getting through and few of them can be seen outside on the exterior. Other ones are just hairline thin and that makes them very difficult to be treated via polyurethane injection.

I did prepared cracks few days before what included hammering the uneven concrete and using metal brush to clean them and then wipe them clean. It was 4-6 hrs total I did spent on that.

After getting the full kit from U.S from
http://www.radonseal.com/crack-injection/diy-injection.htm
which cost $430 (that included $50 shipping via UPS) and then total of $90 of duty and brokerage fee by UPS I have received enough product to treat 30ft of linear cracks.

I was able to fill 4 of fairly big cracks with that and still have couple tubes left.
I have learned that ports have to very well attached and covered with epoxy as well as the crack itself, as if there is a weak spot the pressure of injecting will blow the port and make the whole job not only messy but difficult to continue. The polyurethane will start reacting and won't make further injection possible to the same port. I had few ports that I couldn't make the product leak from the port above and just closed it after I felt there is no more polyurethane going in.
Corner crack was very difficult to attach the ports to and I had a lot of difficulty to inject the product I have to admit that crack was very thin.

I'd like to note that it's a very slow process time for epoxy to dry also patience is a key as it takes 5-10 min or longer to go from port to port.

I had to order refill of the product and some extra ports that will cost me in total of about $400 should be about $100 cheaper and I should get 50 ports extra. I have learned when used closer together about 6" apart then 8" apart it's much easier to inject product.

It is very slow process and time is needed for epoxy to dry; also patience is a key as it takes 5-10 min or longer to go from port to port

Time spent:
Cleaning and prep work: 5 hours
Treating 4 cracks about 8-10 ft long each: 14 hrs
Cost: $900

The average quote to treat 1 crack is about $500 dollars and with discount for multiple I was still looking at about $4000 in repairs of my foundation, I guess spending $900 dollars doesn't sound too bad.

March 27 - 28 Ductwork framing started !

Although it will take more then 2 days to get all the duct work and pipes that stick out of the ceiling covered and ready for drywall we made some progress considering in both days we worked about 6 hours. Hardest part is probably leveling every thing. I build them from 2x2s and then 1x2 or 1x3s for support to save some height.

Also I have finished insulation of cold water 1/2" pipe all over the basement something that builder didn't do. That way we won't get moisture dropping down on finished drywall. Used about 10 of 8ft long foam pipe insulation cost of about 20 bucks probably the cheapest material I bought so far.

Time spent: 12 hrs

Mar 19 - 20 Plumbing & Drainage Clean up

Even tho we did spent 12 or more hours in these two days working it really doesn't show.

March 19: We started our day with removing old pink insulation that was covering concrete slab kind of half way. It was cut about 15" so it can be re-used when we put up the framing. This actually went pretty quickly we had everything packed up in bags in about 2-3 hrs.

Next it was noticed there is a long about 8' long drainage pipe just below the ceiling joists that would be in a way of drywall. It got moved closely against the wall so 2x4 can be trimmed and go inside the wall so we don't loose ceiling height.

March 20: Moving draining pipes continued. I guess you can't expect the builder to put the drain pipes nicely out of the way. Ours were right in the middle where future storage room will be.

6 hrs later the drain pipes are nicely tacked in against the wall where they will stay.

Pictures coming soon

Time spent: 12 hrs

Before:



After



The other side where pipe was running in the middle of the ceiling, it got moved nicely against the wall.

Mar 19, 2012 official start of work on the basement

So after almost two years purchase anniversary in May this year and I have finally decided to start working on finishing the basement in my house.

This wouldn't happen if it wasn't for some pressure from my dad, him being only 73 but having much more energy then me. I guess if it wasn't for him saying that paying under 10 bucks per drywall sheet is a good deal I wouldn't have 58 sheets of drywall in my basement now.

Let me tell you one thing taking this down in that tight hallway is no fun.

I figured that this project will be a good point to start using my blog to learn how this blogging thing works.

Time spent: 7 hrs
Cost of drywall: $700 (20 sheets of lightweight for ceiling and 38 regular for the walls)