Frank P breaking ground on Monday July 10

[Frank P]

Looks like I'll break ground on my new Biloxi beach front house on Monday July 10, pending good weather... got my building permit today.... whew, what a undertaking that process is.. still have to go in front of the historical planning commission on Thursday but that's just a formality now... unfortunately I live in an historic neighborhood... more like hysteric neighborhood now with all the historic houses destroyed...

will post some pixs as it progresses... I'm going to contract it out myself and also do some of the work, to expensive now days to do otherwise

Hope to have all the 28 - 12x12x20 ft pilings in the ground and concreted by weeks end...

anyone got questions on new construction codes and other related issues PM me... I've gotten quite smart over the past several months...

Main structural features of the house:
house on 12x12x20 feet treated pilings 10 feet in ground, each piling encapsulated with 1.5 yards of concrete
2x6 construction with 3/4 in exterior plywood and 9 ft ceilings,
3/4 in stucco exterior wall finish, portland cement stucco appeared to hold up well with Katrina
5/8 in plywood sheeting for roof decking (glued) with metal roofing, Everything nailed with ring shank nails,
hurricane rated windows (armor impact protection)
1/2 gavl cable tensioning system for holding down front and rear porch roofings (4 front and 4 rear each cables goes from bottom of pilings in concrete up to and above the joyces in the roofing secured with 5/8 in eyebolts held in tension),
all sills treated material and bolted with 5/8 x 14 in bolts to pilings
hurricane straps on every stud and joyce, maybe even two on the front

this structure should hold up well against top end Cat 4 winds, or that's what I'm expecting.... and the really best feature... I'll be 28 feet above sea level....

I looked at a plethora of other building processes and this is what I am most comfortable with... only problem I'll be in the peak of the framing contruction process during the peak of the hurricane season... but this time I've got a lot of building insurance.... wish me luck.... always open to suggestions for improvement....

got to do a better job on my wooden storm shutters this next time though... hehe

[Audrey2Katrina]

Well, good luck to ya, Frank! And here's lifting up a glass of Makers' to your new and safer dwelling.

Always good to see/hear about folks from this Krater making a comeback to the home areas we love.

A2K

[Frank P]

Well, good luck to ya, Frank! And here's lifting up a glass of Makers' to your new and safer dwelling.

Always good to see/hear about folks from this Krater making a comeback to the home areas we love.

A2K

Thanks A2k.... hope to toast to the new pilings with a glass of crown next Friday.... and every other Friday till I'm in a home again...

[TSmith274]

Congrats Frank P! I can't find contractors to do anything over here. Check your PM.

[Ixolib]

got to do a better job on my wooden storm shutters this next time though... hehe

As I recall, the shutters actually faired pretty well - all things considered. For tradition-sake, though, you need to stick with the blue paint for the new versions.

http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=1008191#1008191

[Frank P]

got to do a better job on my wooden storm shutters this next time though... hehe

As I recall, the shutters actually faired pretty well - all things considered. For tradition-sake, though, you need to stick with the blue paint for the new versions.

http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=1008191#1008191

Hello to my ex biloxi neighbor who is now enjoying the good life in Florida....

painting colors at the mercy of the better half, however I do think it will have some version of blue incorporated... I'm just the hired help...

[Ixolib]

got to do a better job on my wooden storm shutters this next time though... hehe

As I recall, the shutters actually faired pretty well - all things considered. For tradition-sake, though, you need to stick with the blue paint for the new versions.

http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=1008191#1008191

Hello to my ex biloxi neighbor who is now enjoying the good life in Florida....

painting colors at the mercy of the better half, however I do think it will have some version of blue incorporated... I'm just the hired help...

I know what you're talking about there!! She says jump - I say how high!! Glad to hear things are progressing for you and yours.

My house is done now, the renters are happy, and we are - in fact - enjoying the good life here in Madeira Beach. Sure hope that grant comes through soon. My savings are G-O-N-E. It's hard to believe that 3 feet of sea water can end up costing nearly $40K in repairs - and that was doing everything (except taping and mudding) myself. Can't imagine what it would have cost to have contracted it all out.............

I'm looking forward to your continous updates - with pics, of course!! From the sounds of things, it's gonna be a beauty - and a beast!!

[Ixolib]

Hey Frank - any updates??? It's the 14th!!!

[Frank P]

Hi Ixolib....

Got approval of my plans from the city's Architectural Review Commission, necessary because I live in a Historic District.... I told them I wanted a plaque in my yard being the first new Beach front home to be build in Biloxi...

Week one was slow and painful... we dug a ton of concrete footing out the ground, and had to deal with a septic tank, some massive roots and an underground pile of concrete debris, all right where the boring's were dug...

but by weeks end all 28 holes were dug, about 11.5 feet in the ground... rebar was put in the 12x12x20 pilings and all 28 of em put in the holes... they're all sticking out the ground about 10 feet... looks weird... and HIGH.... this week they'll level and straighten em all out and we hope to pour concrete to fill the holes on Friday if we get lucky with the weather..

[Ixolib]

Sounds like you're on a roll!! Glad to hear it. Pics, I assume, will follow soon????

[Frank P]

you bet George... hope to take some today and then every week to show progress... will post as soon as I get them ..... at the moment just a bunch of these huge stubby treated pine stumps sticking out the ground about ten feet in all different directions.... having a hard time picturing just how high I'm going to be... and going to take some getting use to...

but beats the heck out of getting killed again with another big surge... anything less than 28 feet and I'll be OK .... 30-32 feet may take it down.... 33 feet would for sure.... along with the entire peninsular of Biloxi... boy, does that sound crazy.... after Katrina anything is possible

Later Neighbor

[beachbum_al]

I missed this one earlier but I want to wish you Good Luck on your new home and congratualtions too.

[Frank P]

thanks beachbum.... lets just hope we all get a brake this year as you guys need it just as bad as us... and it gives us a chance to get this rebuilding boom cranked up along the NGOM..

[brunota2003]

Have fun and good luck

[Frank P]

Have fun and good luck

Thanks brunota.... we need all the luck we can get

[Frank P]

poured 40 yards of concrete today in my 28 holes...

[Ixolib]

poured 40 yards of concrete today in my 28 holes...

Movin' right along...

[Lindaloo]

I am VERY proud of you Frank. You are not leaving the beloved MS Coast because it is HOME. I hope everything goes smooth for you from here on out. Please post pics of your progress. I am anxious!!

[Frank P]

I am VERY proud of you Frank. You are not leaving the beloved MS Coast because it is HOME. I hope everything goes smooth for you from here on out. Please post pics of your progress. I am anxious!!

Thanks so much Lindaloo..... I do have to admit it has been trying at times but you're right, it is our beloved MS Coast... and we will overcome all this but its going to take a long time.... I'll post pics as soon as I get them developed... probably time I got me a digital camera in lieu of my old Nikon 35mm....

[Frank P]

poured 40 yards of concrete today in my 28 holes...

Movin' right along...

Yeah neighbor.... big milestone.... don't have to worry about them big ole beams going anywhere.... next milestone is to pour the concrete parking slab and additional footers around the piers for even added foundation support this week.... I'll end up with about 70 plus yards of concrete around these beams.... geesh..