On Thursday the concrete guys installed the wire mesh then I went to work installing the radiant floor tubing – approximately 2100 feet with ~ 800 zip ties.  Dad helped roll out the tubing and cut off the excess on the zip ties.  Finally called it quits after completing 7 of the 9 loops and getting started on the 8th at ~ 10:00 pm – good thing there was some good moon light out that night.   I was back out again at 6 am on Friday and had finished the 8th loop an need the concrete crew to add the remaining wire mesh for the 9th loop.  When the first guy arrived (6:45 am) I had started to unroll the tubing for the last loop.  By the time the wire was installed and I had attached the tubing the concrete pumper was already on site! The pour took about 90 minutes and went very well.  Then it was time to sit and watch the concrete dry.  It was a beautiful day – temps in the mid 70′s with a good breeze.

Friday afternoon I started installing the retaining device for the basement window that also serves as a egress rout, which will allow basement room that is not part of the walkout to be a bedroom (if there is a need) – this is manufactured by Bilco and called a  “Scapewell”.   After taking Saturday off to go to Churchill Downs, I finished installing the Scapewell and back filling with gravel to provide drainage (pic to follow).

This week the walls will be back filled and the framers will start.

Gravel was added to the screened-in porch and the plumbing rough-in was completed and inspected. Additionally, the HVAC guys ran the lines for the geothermal loop under the footer and floor to the mechanical room. Today the vapor barrier was set in place with the assistance of Mom and Dad. Tomorrow the wire mesh will be installed and then I will set the radiant floor tubing in place – attaching it to the wire mesh – the plan is for 9 loops in the basement. As I discussed the project with various HVAC installers, there are guidelines on the maximum length for each loop – I will take the conservative approach and keep the loops to less than 250 ft (1/2″ tubing) as a precaution. The rain last night and today is not slowing things down and the basement pour is scheduled for Friday morning. The garage and screened in porch will get the floors poured after the drywall is installed – this avoids a mess on the new floor.