Bill Brown said it won’t leak.

Strengthening the Membrane

Given there were a couple areas exposed where the white Grace Preprufe 160R could have weaknesses, Bill Brown consulted with the Grace technical resources to confirm what should be done. 

Grace advised him to apply a bituthene coating over the seams and to any areas where the membrane appeared to be weakened.  Also, they recommended that additional bituthene be applied around any penetrations of the membrane (e.g., utility conduits, plumbing, etc.).

After addressing the waterproofing, the insulation can be put up and then the Miradrain.

Black bituthene applied over the white Preprufe 160R at the south-east foundation retaining wall.

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After completing the external perimeter walls, we’re now going to focus on the internal walls around the garage. 

We need to set forms behind these walls so they can be shotcreted on April 30.

Stripping Forms from Perimeter Walls

The site is looking good now that the forms have been stripped from around the site.  Over the next two weeks, Bill Brown’s team will set forms for the internal walls and backfill the front of the site.

North-west corner of the site looks good. This is the West Mechanical room where the heat exchange units with be located.

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‘No leaks, I promise’ said Bill Brown.

Waterproofing Penetrations of the Membrane

Bill Brown’s team prides themselves on doing excellent work.  Excellent work includes taking care of all of the details.  When there is ground water and 500 psf of hydrostatic pressure, detail matters.

The reinforcing steel is held at least two inches away from the waterproofing and wood forms by threaded rods, which much penetrate the Preprufe 160R (white membrane).  Consequently, these penetrations must be detailed to ensure no water can get through to the concrete.

Jorge ensured each of the ~40 penetrations were detailed correctly, either by himself or his team.

Jorge ensures each penetration of the Preprufe 160R is detailed correctly. Note the sunglasses to avoid glare.

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The rains arrived today in Los Gatos.

With the tarps over most of the site, it was relatively dry and work continued as the insulation was fixed to the west wall.  As well, the Grace Preprufe 160R was placed on the forms on the north and south walls.

Insulation on the west wall and Grace Preprufe 160R on the forms on the south wall.

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We posted a message on in the Chatterbox Lounge, which is a virtual community in the Eichler Network web site where Eichler and other mid-century modern homeowners and fans can sharing concerns and solutions related to their homes.  Since that posting, we have had a number of new visitors to our site – welcome!

While there were some showers last night and today, the forecasted storms have not come through yet.

The project site did get some light rain, causing some ponding as the sump pumps need to be set up.

Some ponding in the drain pipe trench in the middle of the foundation.

More ponding - time to put in the sump pump.

The Grace Preprufe 160R arrived, which will be used on the vertical walls as part of the overall Grace waterproofing system.  We are using Preprufe 300R under the mat slab.

Grace Preprufe 160R, for the vertical walls.

Later in the day, the forms were being stripped for the sewage ejector.

Protective plywood removed so the concrete forms can be removed for the sewage ejector.