How to Excavate a Foundation in a Monsoon

When we applied for our building permit in December, there was a provision that required us to have an inspection done once every six months or the permit had to be renewed. Translation: work fast or hand over even more money. That gave us until mid June to have the inspection for the footings. The ground thaws out in our area late March into early April and the temperatures are reliably warm enough to pour concrete by early May. I had all my necessary equipment to do they layout on site in mid April.

This year, that is when monsoon season began. No, that is not a usual thing for Kansas.

In May it rained two out of every three days with a final total of 12 inches for the month. June was slightly better with rain occurring only one out of every three days. When we realized that having anything done by our six month mark was looking doubtful, we set up meeting with our county inspector so we could talk about our options. He was very understanding about the weather and was gracious enough to give us a little leeway, so long as the inspection happened within the next couple weeks.

So, with the forecast looking mostly OK, we got out batter boards set up, rented an excavator and got to work.

We only use free range batter boards

First thing I did upon the excavator's arrival was stick giant googly eyes to it. Every time we start working on stuff, we have lookie-loos drive by. I thought I'd give them something to gawk at.

Whachu lookin' at?

It amused me greatly.

OM NOM NOM NOM!!!

Jack still felt the need to supervise our work even though the giant noisy diggy thing was sheer terror to his little kitty brain. He took up his vigil under the trailer.

Human... WTF???

It went well. Jorgen dug, I wheelbarrowed dirt out of the way and squared up the bottom of the trench.

A few days of moving earth and the trench was deep enough and clean enough for me to start on the rebar. That was also when my nemesis, the Rain Fairy, returned.

The Rain Fairy is a malicious creature that exists for the sole purpose of drowning your dreams. Going on a picnic? Camping trip? Building a ten foot tall unicorn out of sugar in your backyard? Not on her watch.

She shoots precipitation from her armpits and despair directly into your soul 

First night it rained, the trench filled with about four inches of water. Not catastrophic, but very annoying.

*grumble grumble grumble*

I got that water pumped out (mostly) and went back to doing rebar.

Rebar!

I was well on my way to having everything ready for the inspection that Tuesday when the Rain Fairy got nasty. On Sunday, the forecast was calling for 2.5 to 3 inches of rain on Monday and showers continuing for the next few days. The forecast was correct.

Incoming...

As the storm rolled in, I got out the submersible pump and went to work pumping water out as it was coming down.

Sump pump powers, ACTIVATE!

I built a dam out of cinder blocks and mud to guide the pumped water away from the trench.

It was mostly effective

The pumping continued through the night and again on Tuesday. The whole site was an awful muddy mess. I could see that the rebar was buried under mud and silt and large pieces of earth had fallen into the trench.

Mudegeddon

*grumbling intensifies*

The pump was starting to act up, so I went into town to find something to help things along. I found a pond pump that was very reasonably priced. I wrapped a piece of pantyhose around the filter to keep the silt from clogging it and dropped it in. It worked well.

Cheap but effective

As a bonus, I stopped into the thrift shop while I was in town and found these two ponies. Even though I'm selling off my collection, I'll never pass up a first generation pony. Ever.

Also, a piece of amberina glass. Score!

The forecast for Thursday called for a 50% chance of rain and after that we were in the clear. When the rain missed us Thursday I thought I had my chance to get everything cleaned out and finished up. I got in the trench Friday morning and got to work. There was eight inches of sludge in some spots, completely burying the rebar but I powered through it. By that afternoon I had made good progress. I was going to get it done... but then...

The Rain Fairy returned.

Now, there was no mention of rain in the forecast for that day. There was no rain on the radar when I had checked it four hours earlier. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. But there it was. Thunder and lightning to the east and heading my way.

It was at that point that I did what any reasonable person would do: I lost my shit.

I know there is no real point to hurling profanities at the weather. That didn't stop me.

If vitriol and obscenities could burn away Cumulonimbus, all would have been well. Alas, the downpour commenced unabated and the trench was once again filled with water.

Fucking Rain Fairy.

ASDJKFL;ADSJF I QUIT

So, that right there is how you dig a foundation in a monsoon: with great frustration. We had the building inspector come out and look at the site and his main commentary was, "Oh, man..." We then set up a meeting and he had some ideas for us on how to proceed. I'm very grateful for his input and understanding and we're in the process of revising our plans to make up for lost time.

This revision may require a little more cement and may cost a little extra, but it should be worth it. If it is approved, I'll share the details in a future post.

As T.F. Hodge said, "To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles.”

But.

If I do happen upon that Rain Fairy... I. Will. End. Her.