This is a tale of the building of a Habitat for Humanity home, in Elgin, IL, by the Spring of Life Partnership, in conjunction with the Northern Fox Valley Affiliate. Our normal work day is Saturday and this post is about activities on August 16, 2008.

We had a medium size turnout of volunteers (15). The previous Saturday we had almost 30 volunteers. Weather was a bit hot and sunny.

The task list was enough to keep everyone busy. The major emphasis was to complete the garage roof, correct a couple of items on the house and continue decking the house foundation.

And we did finish the roof, thanks to Bob, Greg and Nancy.

Part of the activities was the installation (by Norvell and Tom) of the Commemorative Joist signed at the ground breaking ceremony held at the beginning of the build.

During the day we were honored by a visit from Lisa Uidl Volunteer Coordinator from the Affiliate. They may be providing a volunteer group to work with us next Saturday, the 23rd.

Some additional Photos of Saturday’s activities are available.

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There will be a small crew working next Wednesday, the 20th. All interested volunteers are invited to work with us.

Some tasks are:

• Continue installing decking
• Complete joist installation
• Work on walls in basement
• Continue garage work
• Preparing for group on Saturday
• Driveway gravel

If you have any questions please send a comment.

Had a small crew today - George Becker and myself. George is a frequent volunteer on Saturdays. Perhaps, our most frequent volunteer. And, since his wife’s birthday is next Saturday, and they will be celebrating, he took a day’s vacation to help Wednesday. Thank you, George.

We did make some stairs, framed some house joists, nailed some bridging and did some layout work on walls in preparation for the crew on Saturday.

Some of the scheduled Saturday activities are:

• Complete install of sheathing on garage roof
• Complete roof fascia
• Finish installing felt paper on roof
• Continue with house floor joists
• Installation of the “Groundbreaking Memorial Floor Joist”
• Continue with house decking (subfloor)
• Modify wall in basement
• Build walls in basement
• Layout basement stairs
• Determine final grade around house
• And many more

Some photos from last Saturday are located here.

While working at the site on Wednesday, one of the workers form the concrete contractor stopped by and said they would pour the basement floor on Friday, weather permitting. So I stopped by and watched the process.

By 9:30 AM they had poured the floor (three truckloads of concrete) and gone on their way, leaving only the finisher to wait for the floor to set up a bit. He had completed troweling by early afternoon.

Shortly, thereafter, Stock Supply delivered the major portion of the material required to frame the house.

All was ready for the continuing build on Saturday.

Work continues, by Spring of Life Partnership, on the Habitat for Humanity house at 959 Lavoie Ave., Elgin, IL. Major projects for the coming work day (Aug. 9) are finishing knee walls on house, framing bearing wall in basement, begin the deck on the house and completing roof of garage.

We have a lot to do, volunteers welcomed. Bring work clothes and shoes, hat and sunscreen and carpentry tools. Lunch and refreshments provided.

Build Knee Walls

• Cut and install top plate
• Secure all bottom plates (bolts and shot nails)
• Check layout of joists
• Begin installing floor joists
• Begin installing plywood decking

Garage Roof

• Adjust rafters on south side of garage
• Cut rafter tails (length and width)
• Install 2 by 6 fascia
• Continue installing sheathing (5/8″ plywood)
• Install roofing felt (30#)

Framing bearing walls - This assumes the basement floor has been poured by Friday.

• Determine length and height of wall
• Cut top and bottom plates
• Layout stud location
• Cut studs
• Assemble wall
• Install wall

Additional Tasks

• Police lot
• Level soil around foundation

Photos of build activity on August 2.

Photos of build activity on August 6.