Foundation To Finish Friday- Plumbing Post & Beam

Here we see the initial stages of the plumbing going in. The picture to the right shows round bundles which is the type of fresh water lines installed by Arbor Custom Homes. This style of tubing is called PEX which is a high density polyethylene. This water system has many advantages over the old CPVC or even copper and galvanized piping. These materials are flexible and require fewer connections. Connections are typically where water lines will leak. They also weaken the lines and can create drops in pressure. The PEX connections do not require glues, so there is less toxicity in the system. The PEX material can also better withstand freezing weather. As it thaws, it will contract back to its original condition without damaging its structural integrity.


Wolcott Plumbing is Arbor's awesome contractor!



 You can see the different sizes of the supply lines weaving through the floor joists. The size depends on the source location.

Notice how the PEX bends nicely, eliminating 90 degree angles, unnecessary connections and creating a smoother flow. The freshwater lines are held up high against the floor trusses so that they will be kept tucked into the floor insulation that goes in later. The black pipes are for waste water to exit the home.

It's Foundation To Finish Friday- Post and Beam

The point of construction seen in the first picture is called post & beam. You can now see the black visqueen vapor barrier, the beams that support the floor called engineered "I" joists. You can also see the details of how the wood sill plate is attached to the foundation. The sill plate allows the framing wall to be connected to the foundation. 

You can see in the picture to the left that the floor joists fit nicely into a pre-determined cavity that was created when the foundation was formed. Before the pressure treated 2x6 sill plate goes down, there is a cellulose membrane that goes in between the two materials. This creates a tighter seal and protects against rot.

Those straps that look like fingers are inserted into the concrete when the foundation is poured. They then get connected to the sill plate to help keep the house attached to foundation. You may have heard of horror stories of old houses sliding off their foundation in an earthquake or wind storm? When you invest in a new Arbor Home, you can be assured you have a home that is structurally engineered with the protection of your family in mind.

Next week we will be learning about rough-in plumbing. The pipes that go behind the walls!

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It's Foundation To Finish Friday - Foundation

This week we are learning about the structural base of the home. The concrete foundation. This structure carries the weight of the home and ensures a solid base for begining construction. For today's purposes, we will discuss the type of the foundation that our client Arbor Custom Homes uses. Arbor builds with what is known as a post and beam crawlspace.

After the digout, concrete forms are carefully placed per the specifications of the homes footprint. The concrete slabs that you notice in the picture are called "footings." These are placed for future framing bases. Concrete is then poured and left to cure until the next day. Once the forms are removed, the foundation are will be given a gravel base that will receive a heavy duty black visqueen that keeps the ground moisture from rising up into the insulation and floor cavities once the home is built. The visqueen will eventually come all the way up the foundation walls to create a vapor barrier.

In two weeks, we will learn how the post and beam is constructed to support the house framing. Meet you back here then!

It's Foundation To Finish Friday! Excavation.

Now that the builder is in compliance with the jurisdiction, it's time for the real fun to begin! The heavy machinery is brought in and the lot is now ready to begin excavation. Surveys have been done on the lot to identify the property lines and stakes have been placed by the builders superintendents to guide the excavators as to the blueprint specifications for the proposed foundation. Somehow the drivers of those huge tractors manage to make the precise cuts that are necessary to find just the right depth! The next step is to bring in the forms to lay the foundation. This is a photo of an excavated home site, just waiting for it's foundation. Stay tuned for more!

2014 KGW School Supply Drive

Cheers to a close of the 2014 KGW School Supply Drive. We are very proud to have been able to coordinate efforts on behalf of the Real Estate Brokers at Park Place Real Estate, and the employees of Arbor Custom Homes, Everett Custom Homes and SK Hoff Construction. What a success! And next year will be even better! 

It's Foundation To Finish Friday! Permitting.

Last week we discussed how the process of preparing land for construction can be quite a job! Once the land has been developed, and the plat has been approved, now the real fun can begin. It is time to apply for the building permit.

Building permits can cost upwards of thousands of dollars! Fees are based on size and complexity of the home. This money is used by the governing jurisdiction for contribution towards schools, roads, parks, and other public services.

Did you know that it can take weeks to months for the permit to be reviewed and a decision to be rendered? What happens during all of this time? Permitting includes a comprehensive review of submitted construction plans to ensure compliance with local building codes. Permits are in place to protect the consumer and give them reasonable assurance that the home they are building will be structurally and mechanically sound.

Once word is received that review has approved the plans and a permit # has been issued, construction can now begin! Next time, tune in to learn about site excavation.

Only 6 more days to make a difference!

Don't miss this EASY opportunity to make a difference in the lives of school children!