Turning the House

Today (Thursday) was the day to turn the house so it was oriented in the right direction for the move. Bert got it all set to move, then pulled it out into the parking lot that is beside the lot that the house was originally on. The rear of the house was facing the west and is now facing the northeast. The formerly east-facing porch is not looking to the southwest. This move was slow but steady and without incident. Once the house was positioned for its trip, Bert worked on positioning footing tile around the inside of the basement and adding gravel to the floor of the basement. That will continue tomorrow. The move should happen on Monday. "Should" is the key word there. Our move depends on the availability of utility company crews who could be called to a more urgent job. But we're very hopeful for Monday morning as moving time. About 9AM if all goes as planned.

Looking west at the front porch and the dollies. This is the "back end" of the house as it moves. It will be pulled from the other end. 

The front dolly is positioned in the center of the front (which is the rear of the house). It will be the primary steering and it was attached to the winch of Bert's tow truck for today's turn in the parking lot.

The old tow truck's winch pull the house slowly.  

(Watch the wheels for movement.)

Slow and steady. The Marston Mat (iron with holes in it) keeps the wheels from sinking into the ground. 

Parked until Moving Day. The front porch is now facing SW.

(For those familiar with our town, that's the bank's tower to the distant left of the photo and the "Welcome" sign is behind the right side of the porch.)

Waiting.

After all the turning of the house, Bert went back to 501 and worked on the basement's drainage.

The inside footing tile is laid beside the footing. The tile on the footing will be for the exterior.

 Inside tile. This will be slightly sloped to drain to a sump hole.

Once laid, the tile is covered with gravel. The floor will be poured over the gravel and footings.