Grade II New Build With Basement

The footprint of our basement is now set in concrete, complete with low level “kicker”, which forms the support structure for the reinforcing steel mesh of the walls.

Wednesday last week the first truck, delivering pre-mixed concrete, arrived shortly before 8.00AM. By 8.10AM the local hunt was descending on the village, complete with excited hounds. By 8.20AM the first load of concrete had been poured and the second truck was on its way, just as the most adventurous hounds picked up an interesting scent and leapt down into our back garden. Our builders described the mayhem which ensued, as the hounds realised they could not escape the way they entered, and the whippers-in struggled over the wall to rescue them. However, the concrete pour continued, and nine deliveries later the floor was complete – fortunately without any telltale (or perhaps telltail would be more appropriate) paw marks!

With the heat of the concrete the special surface of the waterproof membrane stuck rock hard to the cement forming an impermeable layer. By 4PM the same day the concrete floor was solid enough to walk on. Since then our team of builders has swelled to six as they focus their efforts on making the wooden shuttering for the basement walls.

Running slightly behind schedule, and with the recent wonderful autumnal weather now replaced with rain, there is a definite sense of urgency on site.