Pouring a Concrete Foundation Under an Old House
Posted on 23. May, 2010 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in House, Projects
Oh, to be a blogger. To tell stories as they unfold. To keep you in my pocket as we ride this adventure that is life. To tell you, “Today I” and “This morning we” and “We’re about to.” It all takes courage, don’t you know?
But, you see, I am not that brave. I delay stories a little. I usually don’t write here until the wost is over. That way you don’t have to come down to the depths of despair with me. Instead, I can say, “We did XYZ, but, don’t worry, everything turned out just fine.” (I have no desire to give anyone, especially my parents, heart palpitations brought on by worry. Besides, I worry enough for the rest of us!)
So now that the worst is over of our foundation project, I can come here and report, “It was crazy but we survived it!” It’s certainly not over, but the foundation has been poured and so far everything’s looking as good as could be expected at this point.
Since I last wrote, a giant hole was dug underneath our house.
Then, Cameron built footings (cement pads on which the new walls will rest upon).
Once the footings were complete, hollow wooden walls had to be built, which would later be filled with concrete.
Once the hollow walls were up (concrete “forms” they’re called), then we called the cement truck and thousands of dollars worth of wet cement was dumped into the hollow wooden walls. Then, we removed the temporary wooden walls, which reveal the finished product, cement walls on which the house will sit.
We still need to have the house lowered down about a foot so that the house will sit on the new concrete walls. This should happen this coming week.
The project has gone pretty smoothly, although, like any big project, there were low points. But nothing a new inspirational quotes couldn’t handle. (Inspirational quotes are very important to this household!)
One of the most important lessons learned thus far is that you can never accomplish anything on your own. No matter what you’re working on, you need inspiration, encouragement, tips, wisdom and helping hands. This project has had a lot of everything I’ve just listed, and for the people who have stopped by to share wisdom and work we are deeply grateful.
Kim
May 23rd, 2010
Congrats, Laura-Jane & Cameron,
the job is done and you survived!
And you’ll have a lovely, clean basement now with lots of storage space – always a good thing!
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
May 23rd, 2010
And big thanks to you and M. for braving the horrors of our house on your time off to give us your insights from your own massive project, my friend. :)
Naomi
May 23rd, 2010
What a project! Amazing!
Here’s a foundation quote for you…
Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.
- Saint Augustine
I miss you tons! xoxo….
Meg S.
May 23rd, 2010
That is amazing, Laura-Jane! Congrats to you & Cam for undertaking such a huge project and completing it successfully!!
jumbly
May 23rd, 2010
holy smokes! that is amazing. and insane.
Johanna
May 24th, 2010
so cool!!!
Kim
May 24th, 2010
Cam,
Martin here. Looks like you got her done. Good job!
Michelle
May 25th, 2010
I’m happy and excited for you but I’m a tad jealous (in a nice way, of course). Isn’t it wonderful that Cam has the work ethic and knowledge to get in there and do it. Way to go, Cam!
My brother and his wife are making their way here, he’s a builder and I’m going to take full advantage of his help. We’re in great need of it. Hubs is willing to get pointers from him and “that’s it” (as he puts it). I’ve got news for him… Hubs has 4 damage discs, torn right rotor cuff requiring surgery, damage ligaments from a fall last Sept. where he broke his leg and never had it properly cared for… long story. So yah… help is coming.
Vicki
May 25th, 2010
Amazing!! Of course I’m really not surprised at all with two very talented people in charge. I’m really very proud of you both. I can’t help but wonder what else do you have up your sleeve? Cam you will certainly be ready for a trip home. Can’t wait to see you!!
melanie
May 25th, 2010
WOW! And here I have been basking in the glow of having refinished our own hardwood floors – but a foundation, not THAT is really impressive.
(This doesn’t diminish how happy I am with my hardwood floors though – I’m just in awe of what you have done to this house and love following along.)
Toni
May 26th, 2010
Big Congrats for you both, especially Cam..hehe. That’s a huge job but You Did It!!! XO
brenna
May 26th, 2010
Oh gosh! WOWWWWWWWWW! Dad would be so proud Cam. Did you sleep in the house while it was balanced up on stilts? Were you scared? I would be :S
Johanna
May 27th, 2010
Hey you are mentioned in Saltscapes 10 anniversary issue. Page 85 Home and Cottage: air quality Indoor air pollution.
Neat oh. Congrats :)
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
May 27th, 2010
Johanna, thank you for letting us know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did a short phone interview for the article over a year ago, and haven’t heard anything since! I’ll have to pick up a Saltscapes. Much appreciated, Johanna… How do you like Saltscapes, does it suit your fancy? Do you subscribe?
Johanna
May 28th, 2010
I subscribed back in January and I love it!!! We are planning (hoping, wishing)to move out there summer of 2012 if all goes well (fingers crossed). We have traveled out east 4 times in 6 years and plan to go again this summer. We will be stopping in to see Kim and Martin, having made their acquaintance through her blog. I have enjoyed reading your blog as well. It’s very inspiring to see that other people have made such a move. My husband is a bit skeptical of moving. He’s worried about jobs and money and such. I’m not sure why he worries when I’m the money manager here and I do think we’ll be just fine :)
Sorry to ramble on, I’m a chatter box and pretty much have to be told to shush.
Again congrats to you guys!!!
Oh and just a strange side note…. Our first trip to PEI was in 2004, after that I became a bit obsessed with keeping an eye on the real estate there. I had your house in my favorites till it sold. So neat to see it so well taken care of.
Natalie
May 30th, 2010
I am always unnerved seeing houses jacked up like this, but also amazed! The new foundation looks great. Is there anything Cameron can’t do?!
Old House Saga Continues in Cincinnati | Old House Web Blog
Aug 26th, 2010
[...] about three or four solutions off the top of my head, including what was done for this old house on Prince Edward Island. If we have the ability to move old houses across frozen lakes and from one state to another, [...]