The first snow fell last week end. It did not stick to the ground but it marked a clear change in the weather pattern. Temperatures during the day are hovering around 10°C and start falling below zero at night. We may not be able to continue building the stone walls for much longer. Although we switched, three weeks ago, to a cement that was only 90{86faa949d09500cfb2fb8be01edc8582822a5980221f039bd4bbebd1d0646763} lime-based and could withstand slightly lower temperatures, it still cannot be used if the temperatures are consistently below zero at night.
The North facade (the long one with a slanted roof line) is almost done up to the second floor’s ceiling. Once the masons reach that level, they will stop and move on to the South East facade (along the road).
The lintel above the high staircase window has finally been installed. It is hard to see the window on the picture below as it is half hidden by the scaffolding and pallets.
My dad has started closing the windows and doors on the ground floor by installing plywood on the inside of each opening. This will help protect the construction for the winter by blocking as much rain, wind and snow from going inside the house.
The masons are preparing for the reinforced slab that is going to go over the cellar #1 and the rainwater cistern. They needed Ismael and me to clean the side of the road and the top of the old house’s wall that is against the road as this is where the outside edge of the slab will come to rest. They needed to build a small footing using rocks.
Yesterday the masons reinforced the top of the old house’s wall, completed the footing for the slab and finished setting up all the forms (planks, metal sheets, etc) on top of which the concrete for the slab will be poured. While two of them were working on the set-up, a third guy was preparing all the rebar grid for the slab. If everything goes well, they will bring the concrete mixer truck on Friday and pour the slab.
Everyone is really happy that the work on the cellar #1, the cistern and the slab went ahead (following my dad’s recommendation). The hole that was in between the house and the road will soon be all covered up and nicely finished. One will be able to walk from the road onto the slab and stand right in front of where the future entrance door will be.
Today was a funny day weather-wise: there were sudden showers and a bright warm sun right after each of them. Both the masons and the carpenters were there and they were able to progress with their respective work. You will see in the pictures that everything is ready for the concrete mixer to come tomorrow and that the carpenters have installed the beams above the dining room. They will come back next Wednesday to install the pillars in the main room and all of the other beams above the kitchen and living room and above bathroom, entrance hall and downstairs bedroom. My dad and I are going to spray them with a solution of sodium borates and water and put a type of oil to protect them against insects and dirt.
