It's Official

[DukeCanBuildit]

Not sure what you're talking about but there's nothing wrong with spray foam. Granted I'd like to have done Rockwool but it wasn't cost effective to do.

It’s nasty for a day or two until it sets up and stops off-gassing. Those dudes wear respirators for a reason, right? It should be fine after that. Well, until there’s a fire and then you might as well have a house full of airplane seat cushions.

I’ve seen guys working in one part of the house while other areas are being sprayed. That’s just nuts. ?‍

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[Bob902]

I think there is a better name. Arkansas is chocked full of these lovable guys. Dave, you could be ArArmadillo!

Congrats on your new adventure, Dave!

Tactical opossum

 

[AzScorpion]

It’s nasty for a day or two until it sets up and stops off-gassing. Those dudes wear respirators for a reason, right? It should be fine after that. Well, until there’s a fire and then you might as well have a house full of airplane seat cushions.

I’ve seen guys working in one part of the house while other areas are being sprayed. That’s just nuts. ?‍

I'm doing closed cell spray foam which has less off gassing then open cell. But like most things sprayed there will be voc's present for a few days which is also accelerated by humidity and high temps. By the time it's ready for insulation it should be late fall so the cure time should be perfect. Plus most times that the fumes linger one for to long is usually the error on the sprayer. He's either sprayed it to thick and/or has the wrong mixture settings. You know me I've researched this to death! ??

I've worn respirators my whole career. But with all the chemicals, lacquers and epoxy I've been exposed to I think my body is immune to fumes now. lol I've had employees spraying poly with no respirator while smoking a cigarette.

 

[Gerder]

Not sure what you're talking about but there's nothing wrong with spray foam. Granted I'd like to have done Rockwool but it wasn't cost effective to do.

I talked about dew points, temperature amplitude ratio, heat protection and diffusion capacity... but if everything is fine with this plan for you, then by all means, this is it.
cheers! ?

 

[JimG_AZ]

Dave, congrats on the home sale and the future home build. You're getting out of here at the right time. Sounds like it is time to start looking for a boat. You will have some great boating options there.

 

[AzScorpion]

Dave, congrats on the home sale and the future home build. You're getting out of here at the right time. Sounds like it is time to start looking for a boat. You will have some great boating options there.

Thanks Jim! Yes the heat was another major factor in our decision. It's definitely starting earlier and lasting much longe now than it was 12 years ago here. On our last trip out to AR we arrived back at Sky Harbor on October 6th and it was still 106 outside. I guess I've just loss my heat tolerance over the year then add in the never ending sprawl of ugly brown cookie cutter houses, rude people and the traffic and we've had enough.

Yes there's some really nice lakes up there and 7 in the community I'm moving to. I did meet my neighbor across the street (he's on the lake) when I was there in March and guess what? He has a boat! That's the best friend to have. lol ?

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Thanks Jim! Yes the heat was another major factor in our decision. It's definitely starting earlier and lasting much longe now than it was 12 years ago here. On our last trip out to AR we arrived back at Sky Harbor on October 6th and it was still 106 outside. I guess I've just loss my heat tolerance over the year then add in the never ending sprawl of ugly brown cookie cutter houses, rude people and the traffic and we've had enough.

Yes there's some really nice lakes up there and 7 in the community I'm moving to. I did meet my neighbor across the street (he's on the lake) when I was there in March and guess what? He has a boat! That's the best friend to have. lol ?

Hahaha, there’s only one thing better than a neighbors boat and that’s a neighbor’s pool

 

[WhyNot21]

I didn't read this whole thread, so I apologize if you mentioned this. Are you building on a steep plot, or is it pretty level? My wife and I were just looking in Belle Vista a couple months ago for this very reason. Most of the newer properties are on pretty steep slopes. We were told by a few locals to not build, or buy one that required more than 6 cinder blocks to level out, due to the high risk of the foundation settling over time.

It's a very beautiful area, congrats!

 

[Blue Streak]

Dave just thought of something. Make sure you get dentures either before you move are when you get there. It's a long drive to Mexico for the dentist. ?

 

[AzScorpion]

I didn't read this whole thread, so I apologize if you mentioned this. Are you building on a steep plot, or is it pretty level? My wife and I were just looking in Belle Vista a couple months ago for this very reason. Most of the newer properties are on pretty steep slopes. We were told by a few locals to not build, or buy one that required more than 6 cinder blocks to level out, due to the high risk of the foundation settling over time.

It's a very beautiful area, congrats!

Thanks Mike. Yes a lot of the lots are steep, some have no backyard because there's such a huge drop off. There are lots there that are flat or semi flat but are getting harder to find now. Mine has a slight slope from west - east with a total of an 8' drop in 100'. The garage up to the front door will be level then it gradually slopes to where the east corner will be approximately 6' high, see my print below. Yes there's always the risk of settling going higher but you can add beams and piers to mitigate that. But I wouldn't want one that is so high you have a full basement only using block, I'd prefer poured concrete.

I was borderline going slap on grade or crawl space but I wanted the crawl space. I wanted to be able to insulate the floor and the outside perimeter. Yes there are ways to do this with a slab but it's expensive and still not as efficient as spray foaming the underside and walls in a crawl space. Plus it'll give me a little storage for some yard tools and free up garage space. I'm going to add a dehumidifier to both the house and crawl space too.

If you need any more info or want to talk to the builder I'm using just message me and I'll pass along his info. He has a few spec houses and I think a few lots too. His wife is a realtor so she can help you find a good lot too.

 

[AzScorpion]

Dave just thought of something. Make sure you get dentures either before you move are when you get there. It's a long drive to Mexico for the dentist. ?

Larry we both spent the last 2 years getting all our dental work (mostly implants) done in MX.

? Now that I think of it we would've fit in better there without them and should've saved the money.?

 

[CATX]

Thanks Jim! Yes the heat was another major factor in our decision. It's definitely starting earlier and lasting much longe now than it was 12 years ago here. On our last trip out to AR we arrived back at Sky Harbor on October 6th and it was still 106 outside. I guess I've just loss my heat tolerance over the year then add in the never ending sprawl of ugly brown cookie cutter houses, rude people and the traffic and we've had enough.

I lived in the west valley about 20 years ago. Drove through phoenix last year - first time I’d been back - and I couldn’t believe all the new construction and highways.

20 years ago it was hot, too but I’m sure that new concrete has really made it worse. I remember driving 20 minutes outside of town and it was 10 degrees cooler in the day, and maybe 20 degrees cooler at night even back then.

 

[AzScorpion]

I lived in the west valley about 20 years ago. Drove through phoenix last year - first time I’d been back - and I couldn’t believe all the new construction and highways.

20 years ago it was hot, too but I’m sure that new concrete has really made it worse. I remember driving 20 minutes outside of town and it was 10 degrees cooler in the day, and maybe 20 degrees cooler at night even back then.

It's crazy the amount of building going on here in the west valley. The 303 wasn't even built when I first moved here and now it's full of commercial and industrial building along with houses built out to the highway.

I use to say the worst months were June - August and by mid September it would start to cool off some. Now the heat starts in late April and goes through mid to late October and it'll still be 106 at 10:00pm in July and August. I think one of the worst things is there's no cold water all summer long! The main city water lines are only buried 18" deep then your pipes run through you 140+ degree attic. My water heater (they're in the garage) is turned off from May - October too. There's nothing worse than being hot and sweaty and taking a hot shower!

 

[MXGOLF]

I like the new house design Dave. I see where it's sloped to the right of the garage. I am very happy for you and Annie that this is now full blown going to Arkansas and get out of the heat and traffic of AZ. Safe travels and more adventures on the way.

 

[IdahoRanger]

Thanks Mike. Yes a lot of the lots are steep, some have no backyard because there's such a huge drop off. There are lots there that are flat or semi flat but are getting harder to find now. Mine has a slight slope from west - east with a total of an 8' drop in 100'. The garage up to the front door will be level then it gradually slopes to where the east corner will be approximately 6' high, see my print below. Yes there's always the risk of settling going higher but you can add beams and piers to mitigate that. But I wouldn't want one that is so high you have a full basement only using block, I'd prefer poured concrete.

I was borderline going slap on grade or crawl space but I wanted the crawl space. I wanted to be able to insulate the floor and the outside perimeter. Yes there are ways to do this with a slab but it's expensive and still not as efficient as spray foaming the underside and walls in a crawl space. Plus it'll give me a little storage for some yard tools and free up garage space. I'm going to add a dehumidifier to both the house and crawl space too.

If you need any more info or want to talk to the builder I'm using just message me and I'll pass along his info. He has a few spec houses and I think a few lots too. His wife is a realtor so she can help you find a good lot too.

Dave, I like the design.

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