I'm afraid this limestone may be too soft. Most of the large rocks I've pulled out have cracked after sitting on the surface for a few weeks. No idea why.

The deeper stuff is harder rock. I'll stock pile it and see what happens.

I like the look of the ones with tobacco color stains.

Wood is junk, I have seen a couple old cheap houses around here that used piles. They are never level and the piles are always roted, bugs and termites get up into them.

If its a house you plan on living in for a long time just pour a foundation. Or you can use cinder block, I don't know if that was any cheaper. In the old days they used to use brick, but I bet that costs a fortune now.

Around here they build a lot of raised ranch's because they don't really have a basement, just a slab, IE cheap. A 2000-2200 SF 3 bed 3 bath raised ranch costs about $125k to build with a poured slab.

I think wood could be a fine material for a foundation if done correctly and in the correct climate.

Done correctly it would not be cheap though.

Tom W

Well I won't say wood is junk etc.
Done right I think it would be as good as anything, but done right will be expensive.

The important issue though is not how good a wood foundation is, or how well it's installed. But what the future purchaser thinks.
As mentioned earlier, a wood foundation hurt resale value.

Don't be penny wise and pound foolish !!!

I got a little more dug this afternoon. Finished off the trench to the edge of the cliff for drainage. There's still about two feet of water in the basement hole here.

Man, thats pretty scary digging so close to the edge. :eek:

Here's a couple of pics. Just past the trees it drops off about 120+ feet fast.
The old Ford F600 with a Detroit 8.2 running on wvo working hard. I three big loads this afternoon.

Is the water from rain or the ground? Is this in the Texas Hill Country?

Tom W

Cool thread Dan - again, I really need to move to Texas and buy a ranch.


How about slipform stone masonry? I think you commented on a thread I started a few months back - I've never done it myself - but you've got the perfect site for it. Rock is right there, apparently remote access (meaning you mix the concrete yourself) and it's the perfect "pay as you go" job.....versus ordering prefabbed walls.

IIRC, Hammertime had done it before....but I'm too lazy to search for it.

Tom, The water is from recent rain.

Its in far north Texas, a rare spot where topo is identical to the Texas hill country.

Slipform is being considered. Back in '92 I built a stucco barn (solo) at the site. I had to saw lumber by hand and fetch water for the cement from a pond down the hill. It should be easier this time with electricity, water and a cement mixer on site.

BTW, I got a qoute on prefab walls (that still require an expensive finish) yesterday. Shipping alone was $4200.

Forgive me if this is a dumb question/observation, but are you digging the drain channel b/c no power for a sump Pump? Does it rain there much? Project may take too long for pump option?:confused:

Why pump? Grade drops 120 feet just to the west of the site a few feet. Gravity works all the time with no power needed.

I needed to trench to drain the water to be able to see to dig.

However, the main reason I'm trenching such a large trench is to create a tunnel to the ledge on the cliff. Should the house ever collapse when I'm in the basement I'll have an escape route. Think Texas tornados. :eek:

I believe we have decided to build the walls of "urbanite". The native stone coming out of the hole is too soft to build with and I can get busted concrete chunks delivered free.
The nearby town just tore down their FD and is digging up the old concrete slab. They will bring me 700 of 2000 cubic feet I'll need.

Here's a pic of an urbanite retaining wall. This will be what the basement interior walls will look like. The exterior will most likely have a coating applied.

Use the veg oil to cook the limestone and make cement.

Brilliant!

'Cause it seems a heck of a lot easier, cheaper and less of an eyesore. (to me, who isn't there;))

Huh???