During severe dry spells the soil may shrink away from your outside basement wall, allowing water easy access to your basement walls far below ground.  The rain water just runs right down the open crack, looking for any way into your basement. 

An easy fix may be to simply walk around the perimeter of your home and use your foot to push the topsoil back into place against the foundation wall.  You could also possibly shovel some topsoil into the crack or use bagged topsoil and pour soil from the bag down the crack, then press down with your foot or a shovel. 

This simple fix may save you many headaches as a dry season becomes a rainy one.

We were able to get him his drawings and seal in a couple of days, but is is interesting that you can build a home in Kentucky with only approved blueprints, but a pole barn requires an engineers stamp. 

If you run into the same dilemma, we can help.

Ron Stuart

 But then going upstairs, I eavesdropped on a conversation between the insulation contractor and a small group that had assemble to marvel at a Plexiglas panel installed in the ceiling.  A thermometer above the glass, in the attic, read 80 F ( it was easily 96 degrees outside).  The insulation contractor was an extremely knowledgeable and personable man named Dave Mikels with Graber Insealators.  He was explaining the ins and outs of sprayed in insulation in the rafters. 

It turns out that the claims made at the door were true!  This house was rated to be the most energy efficient home in Kentucky at the time of Homearama, requiring an estimated power utility cost of only $500 per year!  Thats $41.67 per month! Thats $137 per day!

This home is 3079 square feet with lots of windows. Mike tells me that a “high performing” home like this can be built for only 3-6% more that a traditional Energy Star home.  All I can say is I want one!

Since that time we have been fortunate to begin providing home design services for Mike Oney Home Builders, to participate in the design of these “high performance” homes. 

More Later

Ron Stuart

This tremendous 8500 square foot home was designed for Deville Homes and built in Harrods Glen. Pete worked with legendary local artist Sonny Whittle on this home.