New Guy on the Block and Faswall 101

Great.  New guy on the job site and what's the first thing he does?......

So much for a clean safety record.  Neophytes, geez, what's a CM to do?

Faswall 101

The stars of the show....

Outside corner

1/2's...designed to cut in half and used
12" spacers and ends at openings.

Full ends - for openings at windows
and doors

ooopps....I forgot a picture of the main player...the standard block.  Ok, it looks just like the full end block only with a notch on the other end, too.  The notches are for rebar to go through.

Notice in the blocks, the white blocks...insulation.  It's what helps give these blocks an R30 insulating factor.

So, far, so good.  A couple things to keep in mind when choosing your foundation guy...there are a few things about working with this block they need to know.  One is that the footing needs to be level and smooth.  Like this:  

Makes the first course so much easier!  Also, very important, the rebar needs to be off center, front to back.  As the insulation in the block throws its center off true center.

Just make sure they are aware of it's idiosyncrasies before hand.  Fred has been a god send.  He's worked with Faswall before and knows what he's doing.  He does great work!  We highly and I mean HIGHLY recommend him!

There you go.  All you need to know.  Not.  But seriously, it's not that hard.  Our only issue at this point is foundation vents.  After much discussion and brainstorming we finally decided on a plan...tomorrow's post.

The young man above...now irreparably brain damaged...Wes, is the calvary I called in today.  He helped us prepare for this project by moving up-teen cords of wood, thus proving his willingness to work hard.  I was out working this morning (more staging) and thought, "Oh, gawd!  I'm an aging woman...what the heck am I thinking?  I need help.  Wes, oh Wes, where art thou Wes?"  He heard my angst through the ethers (via phone lines) and was here by 2.  We moved block all afternoon and he started building by the end.  Being a second year engineering student, this is great exposure.  And he's invaluable.  He definitely has a future laying block.  As long as he hangs out with us for the next couple weeks, I'll be happy.  (We don't pay him enough, I just keep him in brownies, cookies and tomorrow, cinnamon rolls.)

Another big day planned tomorrow.  Gene will be cutting ends/spacers and foundation vents and Wes and I will build.  At least that's the current plan.  Who knows, plans can change...especially after the cinnamon rolls arrive.