August 26th - Placing Lifting Poles (Part 2)

Getting the logs up the hill and into position wasn't too bad, but lifting them to a vertical position was not quite as easy as anticipated. The plan for the first pole was to run the wire rope to this far tree and pull over the wall, using the gas winch.

The hole was ready and and the hope was that the butt end of the log would slide down the corner and drop into the hole.

Lines were tied to each side to prevent it from swinging as it was pulled up.

We got it all rigged up and tried lifting it with optimistic anticipation. First try, the winch did its best, but was just not strong enough. Not only was the log just too heavy, but the angle was not right and there was too much friction on the top of the wall. Many forces against it...

So, Jeff lifted while I put boards under so we could get it started as high as possible. We also dug a trench under the butt end to improve the angle as much as possible.

Closer and closer it got, but not enough to allow it to lift up. We then tried using a come-along to pull it up, but still not doing the trick. It was essentially just wedging into the corner but not lifting up. Jeff decided the next step was to cut some of the end off the pole. He'd wanted it to be a little longer than necessary just in case, but turns out we could really do without 5 feet. This would help considerably. Finally, thanks to the help of some very generous neighbors over the weekend, two logs were raised. They used the same method Jeff and I had tried, but used the come-along and the tree instead of the winch. They also had three strong guys instead of me. It took about 6 hours of work, including a few rainstorms, but they persevered. I arrived to see two vertical logs in the front two corners, very exciting progress. The next two are in place and ready to lift. While these back two poles have narrow holes to drop into there are trees behind that we can use to lift higher. We'll see...

August 16th 2008 - Placing Lifting Poles (Part 1)

Once the concrete had cured for a week and Jeff cleared out all of the scaffolding, the corner logs could be placed. The challenge is getting the logs 150 feet up a fairly steep incline and then lifting them up to a vertical position in each corner. This is a major part of the Log Home Builders Association's method of building, which allows a builder to stack logs on his/her own without relying on a crane. So, the time came to finally try out the cable and winch system to pull the logs. Jeff had tested it, pulling rebar up the hill, which was successful. After some time spent figuring out the exact method (which tree, which ropes, angles etc.), Jeff used a block attached to a tree to the side of the house, wire ropes, and the gas powered winch and eventually the first log was up the hill! It was great to have the help of our friend Don. He spent a good part of his Saturday helping Jeff with the first log and we really appreciated it. Once the log was far enough up the hill they used 2x6 boards to push it over into position to line it up with the doorway. Once it was lined up, Jeff used the winch attached to another tree on the other side of the house while Don and a laboror helped guide it over the doorway.

Bit by bit, the log slid accross the house and into position in the front left corner. Unfortunately, it was a few feet too long and a chainsaw would be needed to cut the end off before it could be lifted up. So, that would wait for another day, but not bad for a day's work... the first log was in position and another was pulled up the hill.

The next day Jeff worked on lining the top of the walls with pressure treated wood, which is needed to provide a barrier between the walls and the logs. He cuts it into size, drills holes so the rebar can go through, and climbs up a ladder to put it on. The ladder part is the hardest because there are sections where the short ladder isn't tall enough to do it from the inside, but the tall ladder on the outside slides down the hill once in while. But, Jeff managed to get through it.

So, next comes lifting that first and then remaining three lifting poles into their place in the corners. There has been much discussion about the best way for this to happen, so it will likely require some trial and error to find the best way (where to pull from, and whether something needs to slide under for support). The first game plan is to use a tree on the outside of the house to pull the log up with guidelines for side to side support.

To be continued...

August 8th - Pouring Concrete in ICF Walls

Jeff worked just about every day over the past week finalizing the walls to be ready to be filled with concrete. Inspection by the engineer was quick and easy. And, we are fortunate to have become friends with the senior building inspector at the city, which has been helpful. This came about after I had visited the city, dropping off plans and a woman there said, there is a guy here that has a son about Brooke's age. So, his wife and I started spending quite a bit of time together and now we have gotten to know her husband Micah, the inspector. We don't get any special breaks, but he frequently stops by the property just to chat and point us in the right direction and it helps to know we can ask plenty of questions. Anyway, his inspection was no problem as well.

So, finally Friday August 8th we were ready to pour concrete. I got a babysitter for Brooke, we had the ICF guy Russ there to help and oversee, and Jeff hired a few laborors. We were a little stressed that morning that all would go smoothly, both waking up at 3:30 AM in anticipation of the big day. I was supposed to pick up the concrete vibrator and meet Jeff there. Despite getting the wrong size vibrator and having to drive back and switch it and worrying that the laborors weren't going to show up, we were ready. The concrete pumper arrived around 8:30 to prepare to start pumping around 9:00. I helped carry hoses up the hill, which was quite exhausting. Eventually, the laborors showed up and we started to relax a bit.

The pumping began right away. My job was to go around the outsideof the walls as the concrete pumped in and by smacking the foam and listening for hollow vs solid, tell the pumper when to move on and when to pump more so that there wasn't too much in one place at one time.

The laborors helped the pumper maneuver the hoses and the vibrator, Russ and Jeff ran around doing things here and there, overseeing things.

After going through three concrete trucks, we had just a little left to go. All had gone well, no blocks had popped out, which can happen. This was when I had to leave to pick up Brooke. It looked like there was just a little left to do and Jeff would be home shortly.

But, unfortunately they underestimated the amount of concrete needed by only 1/2 a yard. So they had to order another truck. In the meantime, the concrete hose had clogged. The entire concrete pumping crew had to come out and work for quite a while to get the hose unclogged. All in all it took a few more hours than necesary. Everyone was exhausted, but it was done, we had walls!

Next- Removing all the scaffolding and hoisting the support logs to the corners.