He started the day by setting up the laser level on the hill and using the scope to see if the tops of all of the pour stops were even so that we'll end up with a nice, flat floor! And everything looked great...hard to tell from this picture, but there's a whole row of 0's marked on the edge showing that it was perfectly level!
But figure it out he did - he said he came up with the solution at about 4:00 this morning. His mind solves problems while he's sleeping...mine just sleeps!
Anyway, he first had to make a tool, welding pieces of rebar together (you'll see it in action soon). Then he got the acetylene torch back out, heated up the hook...
...and used the tool to bend the hook back further. Unfortunately, he knew the acetylene tank was about empty too but figured he wouldn't need it soon. He was able to get the entire front side done and will have to get another tank of acetylene Monday. But a great solution and he's actually happier with the way the hooks will bond with the concrete now.
Since that issue was solved, time to work on those insulation boards. So first he cut them to the right width...
...and then he cut a bevel in the top of each piece so that the concrete would roll up to the pour stop.
We had a tube of foamboard adhesive that we planned to use but once we got ready, it was dried up. So I made a quick trip to Lowe's to pick up a couple more tubes.
Installing the insulation...
We got the front and stairwell area completely done. We couldn't do anymore until Jim is able to bend over the hooks on the back wall. But looks good and will help heat loss!
Jim had to make steel plates to cover all of the holes where the beams were - each one was different so he had to make them all custom. Now all of the holes are covered up!
After doing as much as we could on the deck, we turned our attention to some grading. Before we pour concrete, we have at least a portion backfilled so that the concrete workers can get their equipment up to the deck. Jim started by filling in the utility area more just in case any of the dirt he was moving caused any little cave-ins. So first sand...
...and hand shoveling it around all the pipes.
Then he cut another piece of foam board to help insulate the pipes.
And putting sand on top of that.
A little more hand shoveling on a hot day.
Once that was in good shape, Jim took the Bobcat up to our dirt piles...
...and dumped it down below so that he could use it for backfilling. I pulled out any big rocks that tumbled down.
Then he brought it around the front of the carriage house...
...and started building up again. I watched for any rocks next to the building and got them out.
Before long, he got this area built up pretty well!
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