Wow!  I leave town for a few days and Matt (M.R. Concrete) and his crew go to work and finish the foundation (rubble trench w/grade beam).  It is not the kind of foundation you see very often but has distinct advantages over the conventional foundation.  The grade beam uses about 1/3 the cement of the conventional footing/stem wall approach.  It rests on a compacted base of crushed rock permitting better drainage and eliminates up-lift from the shrinking and expanding of soil.  More commonly used on rammed earth homes, it makes a nice footing for adobe as well.  Did I mention that it also costs less?!

Matt lives and builds in Santa Fe County and has a long history of quality and dependability.  If you want the area's best concrete firm to work on your project call: Matt Rischer, M.R. Concrete, 505-286-1070.

Rough-in Plumbing

     Now that the adobes are made and stacked, we can begin the real building.  Dan, from Plumbing Express, is up first.  Since the rubble trench footing can't be disturbed once it is in, the underground work has to be done first.  Somehow Dan figured out where all the pipes, drains, etc., are supposed to go (including the supply lines for under-floor radiant heating) before the foundation or floors are in.  That's just one reason why he is the best.  See that little blue label on one of the pipes?  That is our signed inspection ticket.  All is approved and ready for the next step.

     Now that Dan has finished with his magic and the inspector has approved it, Matt, M.R. Concrete, came in to dig the trenches, compact the rubble (crushed rock) and pour the grade beam or foundation.  Check back later for a report on the foundation work.
     If you are in the Santa Fe County area and would like the best plumbing contractor working on your project you can phone Dan Creager, Plumbing Express, 505-286-3637, or email him at: plumbexp@yahoo.com