https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations daily 0.75 2024-10-01 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/new-construction-foundations-amp-full-basements-with-a-special-tip-for-builders monthly 0.5 2024-10-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/9047ad8f-6dbc-4fce-bd39-ca944788f587/972D020B-4844-48ED-A778-3B8142381E20_1_105_c.jpeg Excavations - New Construction Foundations & Full Basements, with a Special Tip for Builders - Make it stand out Dual protection layers on the foundation walls is a good practice to avoid a single point of failure that would allow water penetration. The first layer is a monolithic liquid coating that is typically sprayed on the surface or applied with a roller. In this illustration, you can see the green layer which is a rubberized coating sprayed on the surface at 60 mil thickness. A thick plastic waterproof brown dimple board is adhered on top to protect the green layer and aids drainage to the below-grade pipes that carry water away from the foundation. These two systems work in tandem to help protect the exterior of the foundation walls. Individual components and whole systems can be purchased from numerous manufacturers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/77ac1c73-0c11-4779-83ac-e6b0a016e633/Screenshot+2024-10-01+at+10.16.09%E2%80%AFAM.png Excavations - New Construction Foundations & Full Basements, with a Special Tip for Builders - Make it stand out A cross-section showing a perforated drain pipe on the exterior of the foundation, installed in a bed of coarse gravel and surrounded by filter fabric. The pipe is usually 4” or 6” diameter and helps carry water away from the foundation. A similar strategy is often found under the basement slab on the interior for additional protection. Illustration credit: Understanding Basements, Joseph Lstiburek, Building Science Digest 103. (c) 2006. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/4194b46c-e15b-4a54-bac6-26e610ab9a0c/Screenshot+2024-10-01+at+3.18.44%E2%80%AFPM.jpeg Excavations - New Construction Foundations & Full Basements, with a Special Tip for Builders - Make it stand out An example of a basement sump pump system we installed in a new home. Due to the size of the finished basement and environmental factors, we installed three separate sump pits with a dedicated electrical circuit for each. The center pit had a dual pump system, and both pits flanking it had an overflow backup pump that would activate in the event of a main pump failure or storm event that caused excess water buildup near the foundation. The system was connected to an automatic alarm system that would alert if a pump failed or the water level reached a certain height. The entire sump pump system was backed up by a whole home generator that would switch on automatically if the power went out. While your particular basement might not need this, it is worth considering two sump pumps and two pits with at least a battery backup for some level of redundancy that will save a basement from flooding in many common circumstances. https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/top-3-reasons-new-home-builders-disappoint monthly 0.5 2023-08-28 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/redundancy-vs-standard-assumptions-in-new-homes monthly 0.5 2023-06-25 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/an-addition-part-4-the-basement-bedroom-and-bathroom monthly 0.5 2021-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1619970741370-KEYJ804G04KO8PYH0LUR/Monticello-141.jpg Excavations - An Addition, part 4. The Basement Laundry and Bathroom. A steel Restoration Hardware vanity with custom marble top adds plenty of storage in the new bathroom. Penny round tile from Ann Sacks and a Kallista One faucet with cross handles modernize a classic bathroom style. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1619971332719-PT8VNIN6Z5N7IEBFYLVW/IMG_8595.JPG Excavations - An Addition, part 4. The Basement Laundry and Bathroom. The shower opposite the vanity. Subway tile from Ann Sacks and hex tile from Stone Impressions help elevate this basement bathroom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1619973854640-FY47HLEF9IFYTLJN416K/Monticello-252.jpg Excavations - An Addition, part 4. The Basement Laundry and Bathroom. When we stop thinking of a room as a strictly utilitarian space, something changes for the better. A bedroom becomes a restful and relaxing place. The kitchen is more welcoming, Here, laundry is a little less of a chore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1620007155691-LI9U0A2IZK9S27TE1XOD/IMG_0071.jpeg Excavations - An Addition, part 4. The Basement Laundry and Bathroom. A view of the other half of the laundry room with ironing board, storage, and drying rack opposite the laundry machines. Pardon the snapshot, photography in small rooms is always a challenge. The quartz top is impervious to water, a good tip when you are thinking about the placement of clothes drying racks. https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/an-addition-part-3-the-kitchen monthly 0.5 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1614522393612-ITPAZ833I10DA3LAGC1R/IMG_7628.jpeg Excavations - An Addition, part 3. The Kitchen. We like to remember that this kitchen started as an idea before it became a drawing. Then it evolved into a framed enclosure above. The kitchen you see in these images traveled a long distance from conception to creation, and the act of building something from nothing is one of the most rewarding parts of our job. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1614520856970-GBM9ARQ7J693N7PMHFR3/Monticello-48D.jpeg Excavations - An Addition, part 3. The Kitchen. The new kitchen featured hunter green custom inset cabinetry, Thermador appliances, Marvin windows, and a mosaic backsplash. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1614521615484-JG3DIX4SP9YOTKUI0N1O/Monticello-63.jpeg Excavations - An Addition, part 3. The Kitchen. Recessed pocket doors offer space-saving storage of countertop appliances and bulky items. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1614521417971-6M4AO2T7N1CEY34RB29E/Monticello-103.jpeg Excavations - An Addition, part 3. The Kitchen. A multipurpose island holds the microwave, two refrigerator drawers, and an ice maker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1614521927184-ODO22ZWU5UPYYOEOG7O1/Monticello-112.jpeg Excavations - An Addition, part 3. The Kitchen. A view of one of our favorite backsplash installations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1614520927169-JN8W5JXU66M9PGAJPGOP/Monticello-79C.jpeg Excavations - An Addition, part 3. The Kitchen. Diverse lighting sources are an important consideration in planning a new kitchen. Large windows, under-cabinet LED, and wall sconces complement the ceiling fixtures. https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/an-addition-part-2-even-good-plans-can-be-improved monthly 0.5 2021-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1609632163889-9THCVB8ZF37N2PSUEOSC/Screen+Shot+2021-01-02+at+11.31.04+AM.png Excavations - An Addition, part 2. Improving Good Plans. New steps from grade to the basement bedroom allowed us to eliminate the egress window and provide access to the basement without entering the first floor. Perfect for guests and relatives, a live-in helper, or even a tenant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1609611563707-9DWHGK6APOTFEIYL0193/Screen+Shot+2021-01-02+at+11.31.04+AM.png Excavations - An Addition, part 2. Improving Good Plans. The addition included a new basement bedroom, which also requires a so-called egress window below grade. More on the “so-called” part below. Egress window wells tend to be a hassle to keep clean of debris, need some sort of cover on them, and generally look unsightly—the only saving grace is that they are mostly visible from the basement only. https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/a-toast-to-2021 monthly 0.5 2020-12-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1607298959899-X6YV78VRJOQRM7W62AVO/BasementBar.jpeg Excavations - An Addition, part 1 (and a toast to 2021) The basement bar, finished in Hague Blue from Farrow & Ball. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1607301342526-7FJADYMSVJ3OPAH6ZCIO/Monticello-134.jpg Excavations - An Addition, part 1 (and a toast to 2021) Most basement bedrooms are an afterthought. Not this one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1607299770353-EDXAWNL66B0LU50MEBX9/IMG_7572.jpg Excavations - An Addition, part 1 (and a toast to 2021) The original part of the circa 1901 basement was unfinished and unloved before we connected it to the addition. Our clients requested a basement bar while we reviewed the plans over pizza, and so we took advantage of the bathroom plumbing wall to add the wet bar on the opposite side. Capturing those unplanned developments or realizing unforeseen opportunities is one of the satisfying parts of major construction. https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/new-beginnings monthly 0.5 2020-11-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1604291891806-50LXAXBXXE5R2O1H7DGD/1721_N_Sheffield_-_Unit_301_040%2B2.jpg Excavations - New Beginnings https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/category/Basements monthly 0.5 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/category/new+construction monthly 0.5 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/tag/Basement+Laundry monthly 0.5 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/tag/Hague+Blue monthly 0.5 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/tag/new+homes monthly 0.5 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/tag/Chicago+Addition monthly 0.5 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/tag/Basement+Bathroom monthly 0.5 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/tag/Basement+Bedroom monthly 0.5 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/tag/New+homes monthly 0.5 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/tag/Basement+bar monthly 0.5 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/excavations/tag/new+construction monthly 0.5 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/work-avenue daily 1.0 2025-11-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1686233597471-W4BVFN6W8QHKQMTKCHPC/MainBath1.jpg Work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1686233919776-MYPRWZC881L7JK8WQLXH/Monticello-48D.jpeg Work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1686234615456-3UXUDF8SQGM5BAL70MDD/Monticello-252.jpg Work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1686237237464-W51WA0UZMNJMEOQFY2KP/Monticello-126.jpg Work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1686233458562-ODF71N87O48J9B9GKMG2/Kitchen1.jpg Work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1686233546916-9M4AAGCRXZOHSYG6IJDJ/ButlerPantry.jpg Work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1763498223789-RJ7UGS9M1EHX8H9ZGB36/250902_JedWeissbluth_01.jpg Work https://www.uncommonresidential.com/sterlinglane daily 0.75 2023-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1681823113346-ELAJA56WCNPRQMEK3WG2/MainBath1.jpg Uncommonly Good Homes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1681823131105-SJM0MJSLJKZPMZLR7ORQ/MainBath2.jpg Uncommonly Good Homes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1681823209652-ZOBWYN8Q8ZAB3P1MJPLX/WindowSeat.jpg Uncommonly Good Homes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1681823221133-WUMLJV5HQ78LFFBF51E9/Bathroom3.jpg Uncommonly Good Homes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1681823237353-DHHIOUECM4THWBNAB7VZ/Bathroom2.jpg Uncommonly Good Homes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1681823204399-66IAHNBHTCYMN6XMIVT3/MainShower.jpg Uncommonly Good Homes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1681823251704-MWSJASTA390J7HFV9AEL/Bathroom4.jpg Uncommonly Good Homes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1681823262237-35PR95Z912OEQC8C4O9L/ButlerPantry.jpg Uncommonly Good Homes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1681822782828-DWGS8T1JF2S7Q6YEPYYR/Kitchen2.jpg Uncommonly Good Homes https://www.uncommonresidential.com/connect daily 0.75 2023-06-08 https://www.uncommonresidential.com/oldirvingpark daily 0.75 2020-10-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1602428903177-O8ARJR3OPJL7HT1UJ1KJ/Monticello-79.jpeg Old Irving Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1602430316246-KET48HNNS1PRDVB11MGQ/Monticello-267.jpeg Old Irving Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1602431090861-IVFOLMP2JMZJ6S4DVBN9/Monticello-220.jpeg Old Irving Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1602430367292-5P84R7QX5YI9TMCTBRCA/Monticello-111.jpeg Old Irving Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1602430365158-GYRP9XO5O0MQ1O2DUX1U/Monticello-126.jpeg Old Irving Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1602431542517-XFDSMJQLZGWFUB0SX8N4/Monticello-148.jpeg Old Irving Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1602431138555-LED3ZJIO64PPI2ZTBAA0/Monticello-228.jpeg Old Irving Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1602430438979-JOUP2CT3NQZAVX7U302I/SheaBlueChair.jpg Old Irving Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1602431098765-Y56TD8LBDTBP6SSXGWFT/Monticello-141.jpeg Old Irving Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1602430348136-7XKY4S8R8GOVGRSCAPAF/Monticello-32.jpeg Old Irving Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1602431106432-BFO10M1SWLSK9L6QAACM/Matt+Mansueto+Photography+Inc-43.jpeg Old Irving Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1602428615601-SJGR9XFA1GIY8PJF7X3H/Monticello-48D.jpeg Old Irving Park https://www.uncommonresidential.com/about-avenue daily 0.75 2023-06-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/43ef673c-1ce3-4959-b234-2afe38697959/Monticello-194.jpg About - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.uncommonresidential.com/sterling-ii daily 0.75 2025-11-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/3ff20782-8ed4-48cd-abc6-e9edf4d2e365/250902_JedWeissbluth_04.jpg Sterling II https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/e612fc4e-ceaa-4ae1-859f-975f9039351f/250902_JedWeissbluth_10.jpg Sterling II https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/93a152bf-0ec6-45b4-82cf-ea3d1d37a2a8/250902_JedWeissbluth_07.jpg Sterling II https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/19770dd4-f58c-42f4-902c-9ec237aad4fd/250902_JedWeissbluth_08.jpg Sterling II https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/1956428a-bc61-45c3-b0f9-697b9671a731/250902_JedWeissbluth_01.jpg Sterling II https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5da91fc46b146b0cf8a921b5/6ef98cdb-3749-49f6-b4c6-40ff8f229d49/250902_JedWeissbluth_02.jpg Sterling II