This driveway replacement is ready to pour. Note the drain channel to keep water out of the garage. There is also a French Drain in the planting area (middle left) to ensure water stays out of the adjacent basement.
We spent time with the client to layout a pattern for the lines that we agreed on. We also did a wash to the finish to create some texture to make the driveway look a little older and also less slippery
Basement Digout:Remodel- Mandana
Covid postings at the entry point of projects is one of several elements of the new protocol.
Ibeams were installed to support the living room above the garage so the foundations could be removed.
Lots of dirt to takeout, 200+ tons over a few months
We can dig it
Moving dirt and concrete with the Bobcat
Rebar and formwork are being installed for the basement walls
Trenches are shown here for the foundations at the back of the garage
The garage is around 3 feet lower than the rest of the basement, requiring retaining walls around it.
Key supports need to remain in the slab, to be filled in when walls are built in those locations
The slab for the basement and slab for the garage with new concrete to be finished
NOW
The foundation walls have been sealed for waterproofing, with pressure-treated lumber added onto them. Rigid insulation will go in between.
The interior walls have now been installed
Windows are being installed. Areas of dryrot adjacent to windows and doors are also being repaired. It is common to find this type of damage in older homes.
With the wall framing now finished, plumbing and gas lines are being installed.
Archways have been framed ofr the openings in the living room, dining room, and family room.
Interior sheerwalls for seismic stability are complete.
Insulation is now done,. Water resitant insulation panels are installed on the foundation walls.
Sheetrock is in, preserving the original wood beams in the living room.
New wood beams are installed in the family room ceiling to mimic those in the living room
Living room dining room archway is complete
Master floor tile is in, being prepped for plaster walls
Lower bath is now prepped for tile
Extreme Basement Renovation- Grand Lake, Oakland
This side of the basement is being dug to 11′ to create a music room
To create access to this new basement job we went in from the street and under the porch on the side of the house
As we progress with the excavation we are install steel Ibeams in key locations to support the house above.
The digout is becoming deeper and more extensive.
Multiple steel beams (seen above) were needed to support this deep digout where we are creating an 11′ ceiling. We have installed a waterproofing membrane along the left side.
Footings are being dug for the massive retaining walls. Temporary reinforced concrete supports were installed at the 3 story brick fireplace to support it during the digout.
Adding new beams to support the house during excavation of the second section.
Cleanouts for the new French Drains are put in place prior to the pour.
Drainage for the retaining wall is being installed from the inside out to avoid an additional exterior excavation after concrete. Our sometimes problematic clay soils carve out perfectly to allow us to create a notch for the pipe.
Formwork and bracing for the first section.
More Drainage.
Rebar has been installed for the section portion of the first section.
The initial concrete pour focused on one wall of the first section of the basement. Given the 3 story chimney and proximity to the neighbors it seemed prudent to get this wall poured ASAP. The bracing for the new wall pour was substantial.
The new wall after the pour before form removal.
The rest of the basement excavation is nearing completion. The second half will have typical 8_ ceilings versus the 11_ ceiling for the studio.
The second section has the old 3 story brick fireplace remaining. We have been adding underpinning in sections so it can remain supported in place without moving.
Preparing the rebar for the second half of the foundation
The footing will get poured first, with rebar extending up into the wall for the secondary pour.
The wide footing for the new retaining walls is required to prevent settling, overturning and sliding of the new structure.
Overview of the second pour footing
The exterior walls are completed and internal foundations are bing done. In the center will be a new retaining wall where the back level steps down to the music room.
The retaining wall for the external stairway are being built here
Internal retaining wlls under construction
Getting the rear stairs ready to pour
The top of the external stairs with landing in the yard.
It's a Crazy Covid Christmas!
Firing up the barbeque at the yard.
Fortunately one of our guys was a cook before.
Its a Covid Xmas party full of joy, maks and holiday gifts for all.
