How to choose the foundation for your log cabin

Written by Jack Hudson


Continued from page 1

Piers arerepparttar type of construction you will probably use. It isrepparttar 100428 quickest way to get your summer home under way. Most cottage plans have a pier plan which you should follow. There are several rules to remember about piers. They can be built of block (8 by 8 by 16 inches) or of solid concrete. Piers require foundation footings just as walls do.

Takerepparttar 100429 advice ofrepparttar 100430 local building inspector onrepparttar 100431 depth they should extend below grade. You'll want to haverepparttar 100432 footing belowrepparttar 100433 local frost line. The illustration atrepparttar 100434 side showsrepparttar 100435 usual arrangement forrepparttar 100436 footings. Poured concrete piers should be 10 by 10 inches if square or 12 inches in diameter if round.

I have seen a posthole digger used to makerepparttar 100437 hole for a round pier. It worked. The only trouble is thatrepparttar 100438 center ofrepparttar 100439 pier isrepparttar 100440 used part and some portion ofrepparttar 100441 pier will project beyondrepparttar 100442 building line. The proper mix isrepparttar 100443 same as for footings mentioned above. The maximum height above grade that you should build a pier is four times its least dimension.

Ifrepparttar 100444 pier onrepparttar 100445 low side of your camp is 6 feet,repparttar 100446 pier size should be increased to 18 inches square. The forms for solid concrete piers may be made from any old lumber. The illustrations atrepparttar 100447 side should show you how.

Take your choice of these three ways to build your foundation. Some may ask why I haven't mentioned wood post construction. I'm not convinced that they are worth using except above grade. If you must use wood, be sure that you get pressure-treated posts. Dipped or painted ends are little protection.

About the Author: Jack Hudson is a writer for http://www.log-cabin-plans-n-kits.com and http://www.best-house-n-home-plans.com/. These two sites work collectively as a resouce for the planning and building of log cabins as well as choosing from different house plans. Visit one of these sites for informative articles as well as free TIPS for building a log home or choosing a house plan.


Locating and Installing a Water Source

Written by Jack Hudson


Continued from page 1

Reciprocating, or centrifugal pump lifts greater than 22 feet (sea level) will require a deep-well jet or reciprocating pump. Inrepparttar illustration you will note thatrepparttar 100427 upper 10 feet ofrepparttar 100428 dug well is filled with earth. A watertight slab is placed overrepparttar 100429 pervious lower section. If you use this type of construction, be sure to include a pipe sleeve large enough to installrepparttar 100430 water pipe and foot valve.

Also install a vent pipe. Cast some hooks inrepparttar 100431 slab so that you will have something to hold on to as you lower it into place. It will be heavy. This type of well is similar to a dug one, except that instead of digging a large hole, you dig one of small diameter. A well borer or earth auger is used to make a hole down to water level.

This system works best in firm sand, clay, or light gravel. The borer looks like a double shovel and has a handle about 4 feet long. As you go down, additional lengths of pipe are added torepparttar 100432 handle. Digging is done by forcingrepparttar 100433 borer intorepparttar 100434 ground and twistingrepparttar 100435 handle. Asrepparttar 100436 double shovel is filled, liftrepparttar 100437 earth out and empty. Keep going till you reach water.

When you find water, linerepparttar 100438 hole with large steel pipe or vitrified tile. Use an internal grapple to lower each section of tile intorepparttar 100439 hole. This lining should extend a little above ground to keep out surface water. Use a concrete platform atrepparttar 100440 top as shown inrepparttar 100441 illustration. The size and type of pump that can be used with this system isrepparttar 100442 same as withrepparttar 100443 dug well described before

About the Author: Jack Hudson is a writer for http://www.log-cabin-plans-n-kits.com and http://www.best-house-n-home-plans.com/. These two sites work collectively as a resouce for the planning and building of log cabins as well as choosing from different house plans. Visit one of these sites for informative articles as well as free TIPS for building a log home or choosing a house plan.


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