Groundwork and Framing Inspection
Matt Neufeld
After the sub-floor has been installed, Cedarglen will do groundworks install in the basement and pour the basement floors. This usually will be done before the framer installs the walls, floors and roof of the home. This process was adopted for three reasons: the first reason is for safety purposes at the request of the trades especially the heating, plumbing and electrical trades. Often these trades would have to work in mud and uneven ground, which made their job more difficult. With the basement floor poured they could be both safe and more efficient. Secondly, with this process the framers are able to complete the frost walls and any basement development while they are framing the home which is more efficient and produces a better product. The third reason to pour the basement floor early is to allow the concrete to cure for a period of time before drywall and finishing are done. While concrete cures it releases moisture into the air which can create excessive humidity in the home. Pouring early allows this moisture to disperse and create a better product at the drywall stage.
The groundworks install serves three main purposes. First, there is a water-line bringing fresh water to your home. Secondly, there is a combination of lines taking waste water from toilets, sinks, showers that is referred to as sanitary water. The sanitary water is combined in the ground-works and dispersed into the sanitary sewer which is managed by the city. Lastly, the weeping tile collects the moisture around the foundation and brings it into the ground-works system to disperse into the storm sewer. Ground-work piping is sloped 2% to 3% to allow water to positively flow to the sewers. After ground-work completion, Cedarglen will have The City of Calgary perform a groundworks inspection and once this inspection is complete the basement floor is poured.
Now the framer starts the framing of the home. Our frames will build the walls and the floors, install the engineered trusses for the roof, sheath the roof and install all the windows. The framing process is one of the most important processes in the home. At Cedarglen we believe that we exceed building standards because we have superior craftsmanship, a process that keeps quality framers, detailed drawings and lastly, an in-house frame inspection. The superior level of craftsmanship comes from highly experienced framers who have worked for Cedarglen upwards of 15-25 years. Secondly, we created a process for framers that includes timely scheduling, steady work and prompt responses by Cedarglen staff to all framer needs. Thirdly, Cedarglen creates detailed drawings for all facets of the framers work in order to improve understanding as well as standardize our expectations. Cedarglen is always making improvements in these details. Finally, once the home is completely framed, Cedarglen site supervisors perform a framing inspection. They will insure that all facets of the building meet or exceed Alberta Building Code, the standardized details have been adhered to and lastly the framed building matches the home buyer’s individual house plans.
After the frame inspection the rough-in trades, plumbing, heating and electrical will start on the interior of the home and exterior trades, roofing, envelope seal and siding will start on the exterior of the home.