In August 2020, we broke ground to start the addition. We added on a 28′ wide x 54′ long wing. This addition will contain the 4 double units and the two common kitchenettes. The bottom will have a walkout on one side, so the two units on the ground floor will have their own patio doors to the outside.
Eric getting ready to play in the dirtWe weren’t sure what we would find under the ground, with the stone foundation, but the digging turned out to be easy.The original stone foundation sticks out quite a bit from the block foundation, but no humungous boulders or anything like that.Dennis pulling the stones from the old foundation down with a hoe, to make it easier for Eric to remove them with the excavator.
Removing the stones that got loosened from the foundation
Eric ever so gently removing the strip of cement blocks that was just above the stones
Footings getting framed. On the side of the walkout, on the right, we have to put them 4′ deep, to keep below the frost line.Foundation all formed and ready for concreteFoundation getting pouredWatching the foundation getting poured from the hill in the backBackfilling the foundation. Ross Carolus, Tina’s cousin, helped us a couple days.The part no one sees, but so important. All the plumbing had to be laid out precisely with the proper inclines and angles, so things can flow in the right direction.Eric installing pex tubing in the specialized insulation panels. The tubing had to be wound around the channels to form loops for radiant heat in the floor. That coil of tubing kept wanting to twist around – it was Tina’s job to keep it fed to Eric and keep it going in the right direction.The foundation floor getting poured. All the plumbing and radiant tubing will be covered up. Eric’s using a power screed to smooth the concrete. The foundation walls have also been tarred on the outside and insulated on the inside.Starting the framing. Ross Carolus came back and spent several days helping us frame. Here we were setting the main carrying beam into place, using a jib on the loader. Ross is guiding it into place here, with Dennis on the other end.First floor decking frame getting finished up. The exterior framing for the ground floor wall is done. This is the side where there will be walkouts from the two units on that level.First floor deck done, with some Fall splendor in the background. Those hills change colors weekly during the Fall.Main floor exterior all framed.Setting the trusses with a jib that Eric made for his excavator. Plywood sheathing is all on the exterior walls.Eric and Dennis fastening the trusses together. Good thing those boys are not afraid of heights!Main roof sheathed and papered. This roof in the front of the picture (the one with Eric being a goofball on it) is for a porch over the entrance door and the bilco door. Eric’s nephew, Glen Dean, took time off from work to help them sheath the roof in plywood.
Eric had to get creative to tie the new roofs into the old
The way the roofs were constructed, we ended up with one neat valley
