I’m dropping it down through the ceiling. All I need are lights a couple switches and a plug. Conduit will be surface mounted inside.
I liked the idea of the nuclear reactor better. I do think that might be just a bit beyond Brian’s skills, but he could prove me wrong.
I see where you are pouring concrete in front of what I assume is the doorway, but what are you planning to do on the side of that walkway to prevent that dirt from washing in? I’m sure you have a plan that I just don’t grasp yet.
A nuclear reactor would be overkill for this application, need more like an RTG. May attract attention, though.
-Al
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Wow, I hadn’t taken a look at this thread before. Congratulations Brian, this is an ambitious and well thought through project, and the way the progress is unfolding is fascinating.
Let’s get those concrete vibrators going boys, this needs to withstand a direct hit.
Progress! Concrete is in and this morning the forms were pulled.
One step forward, two steps back. When they poured the concrete they didn’t keep the rebar far enough from the forms. When the forms were stripped there was insufficient room to fit the concrete blocks.
So I had to cut off the rebar. Now I have to wait a week before I can drill holes to reposition it. First World problems.
Looking awesome, and thanks for keeping us posted!
(and… UGH!!! about the rebar.)
Does that mean they didn’t build the walls to the proper dimensions? Or?
No, it means when they poured the concrete the rebar shifted and they didn’t move it back into place. I ‘ll remedy that later this week.
I’m not a big fan of having to put anything into existing concrete. It was painful to put the nails into mine when I put my wine cellar walls up. But you gotta do what you gotta do, right?
It won’t hurt it one bit. The epoxy I use will be stronger than the concrete.
Agree that the epoxy is strong. In fact, you should make the whole thing from epoxy.
Parties out of the way. Time for some grunt work. 5 thick coats of liquid rubber to 80mil thickness on the outside of the wall. Then I backfilled to set the grade for my drain pipe.
Then I drilled new holes to reposition the rebar.
Next I added geotextile fabric into the trench, across the bottom
And up the concrete wall. Painted the edges with liquid rubber to get it to stick to the wall.
Now I need to order 8yds of drain rock for delivery. I’ll backfill a few inches, add my french drain pipe and bury it in 3’ of rock.
Then I get to start building the block wall.
Grunt, grunt!
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You missed a spot
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this has to be the thread of the year. You are so talented, Brian. I struggle to change a light bulb (though I do ok with surgery).
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Brian = the bomb!
I’ve said this already, but damn that’s impressive work Brian! Thanks for bringing us along the journey and I can’t wait to see pictures of the final product
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Brought in 10yds of drain rock this week. I installed my drain and backfilled this weekend. Then I started the block walls outside of the cellar so that I can finish the initial backfill. A stone mason I am not. This is going to be a tedious portion of the project.
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