After a third week in which visible changes indoors were relatively few, week four started quickly with major work in the basement. On Monday, the earthen foundation which had been uncovered when floor tiles and underlayment were removed, was prepared to receive concrete. Joists were removed, the dirt was leveled, plastic sheeting laid on top of it and rebar placed on top of the plastic. The rebar was reinforced in areas where new supports will be built under existing beams.
On Tuesday, work started early. A concrete truck arrived just after 6:30. A crew of five were ready to shuttle concrete in wheelbarrows, pour it on to the basement floor and level and smooth it. Once the concrete is mixed, the crew has about one hour to get it in place, leveled and smoothed before it begins to harden inside the truck. The work is both effortful and exacting. The concrete is heavy. It has to be moved quickly, positioned carefully and finished accurately - in a hurry. The five crew members worked together in perfect cooperation and good humor - even when a cranky wheel and an uneven floor caused one wheelbarrow load of concrete to be overturned on the floor. They dived in with shovels and got it moved where it was intended to be.
The finished floor looks great.
No comments:
Post a Comment