Blue tarp effect.
The client (me) in my future studio space.
Category Archives: 1. DIG TO DECK
Building the deck
Installing the septic gravel
Our soil does not pass the perk test with its very high clay content. We needed to haul in 36 truck loads of gravel that drains adequately and will support our septic distribution.
Each load is distributed by Ted on his dozer.
The almost finished raised bed septic field along the front of our hay field. The slightly darker material towards the back is the imported gravel.
Finished Swale
Work begins on the deck
Rain has caused delay, so work on the deck began immediately after the slab was poured.
Our first LVL beam in place.
The vertical metal straps cast into the foundation will attach to the future glue lam frame of the house.
Detail showing the sill sealer gasket between the sill plate and the foundation. Also, the LVL beam above is glued in place. From the beginning of construction all joints and connections are carefully glued and sealed air tight on the passive house.
Connection point on an i-beam glued and sealed in place.
At the end of the first day, 14″ LVL and PSL beams installed.
Pouring the slab
Rain has caused delay. The slab is poured at the first opportunity of clear weather.
4” of concrete poured on 10″ of EPS foam.
Dan Gregg brought in extra hands for the slab pour.
Dan and Rich from Dan Gregg foundations.
Clearing our in-floor electrical outlet.
Slab finishing.
Edge polishing.
Dan Gregg spent the day polishing the floor. 
The finished slab with expansion joints cut in place.
The rain returned at the end of the day.
Laying down layers of rigid foam
Site overview on foam installation day.
The foam is brilliant white from the clear sun, making it hard to see inside the foundation.
Hand saw through 5 3/8″ EPS.
Fitting the 5 3/8″ x 4′ x16′ blocks.
South end corner foam installation detail.
The revealed square of concrete will be filled up to level with the top slab concrete pour. It will support a structural column inside the house.
Color coding against backfill
Turquoise = spray coat waterproofing Rub-R-Wall. Dark gray = 10″ blocks of dark gray Neopor. Pink = vertical strips of pink XPS blocking the seams, board and batten style.
Order of backfill around the foundation
Course stone over the footing drain, followed by landscape fabric and gravel.
Poking out from under
These five conduits extend under the footing and emerge in the utility room. Going under the footing avoids piercing the wall. This is where we will run TV, telephone and electrical service.