Crow’s Nest: All in a day’s work

By Daniel Barringer, Preserve Manager

This isn’t the “Dirty Jobs” blog but in this photo building stewardship field supervisor Steve Holmburg is doing just that. He’s applying a coat of waterproofing (the first of two) to the concrete wall of the addition where it will be below grade. It’s hot today and he’s wearing coveralls and trying to stay hydrated.

Much of the barn addition will be below grade, as are traditional bank barns. When it is finished the visual size of the addition will appear much smaller than it does now as it’s being built in an open hole. But construction below ground must be done right to keep moisture out—there isn’t an easy opportunity later to fix it.