Pipas Residence: August 2022
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02 August 2022 - Block work has begun. The day was very hot (101 on my truck thermometer) and that slows down the masons. Next week, there should be considerable progress.
02 August 2022 - The string is stretched between batter boards. The masons use it to make sure their walls are straight and in the correct place.
02 August 2022 - This steel rebar was embedded into the footers. When the top layer of block is laid and filled with concrete, the rebar will securely connect the foundation walls to the footer. Anchor bolts will be inserted in the top row of blocks (the bond beam) to connect the house to the foundation.
02 August 2022 - The cells with steel rebar in them will be filled with concrete when the bond beam is poured. Each rebar (#5) will hold about 6 tons (12,000 pounds).
02 August 2022 - The blocks, mortar, sand, water and steel are on site.
09 August 2022 - The foundation walls are going up.
09 August 2022 - This mason is cutting the CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit – aka concrete blocks). Generally, not many need to be cut.
09 August 2022 - There are 8 or 10 masons on site mixing mortar, cutting blocks and laying blocks. The finished foundation wall is not very high, so the block work should be finished soon.
09 August 2022 - The dark mortar is fresh. Once the mortar cures, it will pretty well match the blocks in color.
16 August 2022 - A lot of block has been laid. The foundation walls are taking shape. The white area on the bottom edge is my truck hood. (I was standing in the bed to shoot the photo.)
16 August 2022 - Corners have been laid on the guest house. Typically masons will lay the corners and then stretch a line from corner to corner to make sure their rows are straight.
16 August 2022 - The foundation wall in the center is finished. If you look closely, you can see the blocks with one side missing. This is where a slab will be poured. The side of the block that is still in place will serve as a form for the pour.
16 August 2022 - There are still more block to lay. Notice the ever present steel rebar that will tie the house down solidly.
16 August 2022 - This is the guest bedroom wing. If you look closely, you can see the “H” reinforcement steel on the lowest level of blocks in the center.
16 August 2022 - As mentioned, the guest house corners are laid. Next the masons will fill in. The will stretch a line from corner to corner to make sure the intermediate blocks are level, straight and plumb.
16 August 2022 - Here you can easily see the “H” or ladder steel. As rows are laid, the steel will be overlapped and embedded in mortar.
23 August 2022 - More walls are erected. The top row of blocks (CMUs) are ledger (or L) blocks. They will be a form when the concrete floor is poured. An opening has been left to help fill the void with dirt.
23 August 2022 - Here is another large area that will be filled before long. There is light rain here today (notice the wet blocks), so things are moving slowly today.
23 August 2022 - The rear (water facing) side of the home has a bay window. You can see it in the far block wall.
30 August 2022 - The foundation walls of the Guest House are laid.
30 August 2022 - The main house foundation walls are complete.
30 August 2022 - There were threats of rain today, but by afternoon it was nice and shiny.