WATERPROOFING AN ICF FOUNDATION
We apply a self adhesive membrane called Peel and Stick to the insulated concrete forms (ICF) of our foundations for waterproofing. On top of the Peel and Stick membrane we apply Delta Drain to protect the waterproofing and provide a way for water to get from the surface down to the perimeter drain. Delta Drain is a heavy product that adds extra protection to the foundation as it is backfilled.
MAINTENANCE FREE WINDOW WELLS
We install stamped concrete window wells during the construction of our homes. A concrete window well installed directly onto the concrete footing of a home will not move and can last indefinitely. They are strong, durable, and virtually maintenance free. A well built concrete window well will go a long way in preventing future water damage in the basement of a home.
REPURPOSING CULTURED STONE
We saved some of the cultured stone from our Fraser Valley demolition project to ReUse and RePurpose in the fireplace of the future home. The remaining pieces will be crushed and used as fill in the future home slab.
MOLD AND MOISTURE ISSUES
We discovered black mold in many areas of our demolition project in the Fraser Valley. Mold is a dangerous health hazard that contributes to poor indoor air resulting in respiratory issues and other health concerns. When warm moist air in your home leaks out through a poor building envelope and meets the drywall cooled by the outside air, it hits a “dew point” and condensates.
REPURPOSING HARDWOOD
We uninstalled and removed a lot of hardwood flooring at our Fraser Valley demolition project. To repurpose it for another home, we are removing the tongue on the flooring and the new owner can now glue it down in a future home. This saves the hardwood from going into the landfill and allows someone else to economically enjoy this floor for many years to come.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ASSESSMENT
A very important first step when considering a home renovation or demolition is finding out whether the home has any hazardous building materials that may be disturbed when the work is being done. Many cities will require a hazardous materials report prior to issuing a renovation or demolition permit.
BARROW FAMILY TWO YEARS LATER
It was great to sit down and catch up with Wil and Sara Barrow two years after building and designing their dream High Performance Home. They love their home and we loved working with them and staying in touch!
ELEVATION REAL ESTATE GROUP
We are excited to be working with Elevation Real Estate Group as our sales team for THE VINE at Pepin Brook in Abbotsford. Joel and Tyler Schacter, along with their team of realtors, are within the top 1% of real estate agents in the Fraser Valley and have a reputation for honesty and integrity.
RECYCLING TILE
As we continue on our process of demolishing this home in the Fraser Valley, we had a Hazardous Materials Assessment done on numerous products in the home. The ceramic tile was given a clean bill of health so we can now lift it, crush it, and recycle it into the foundation material needed for the new home build.
A DAY WITH MIKE HOLMES
In 2017 we hosted a fabulous meet and greet with Mike Holmes at our office, right here in Abbotsford! We introduced him to our trade workers, suppliers as well as a few friends, but were especially excited to be able to invite some of our past, present and future clients whom are the heart of our business!
REPURPOSE FRIENDS
Another short clip from our series on ReUse, RePurpose, ReCycle. Our new friends Kim and Michelle are excited to use many items from our Fraser Valley demolition project in their upcoming vacation home renovation!
REDUCING WASTE
By ReUsing, RePurposing, and ReCycling as many items from our Fraser Valley demolition project as possible, we are Reducing Waste sent to landfills and Responsibly caring for our Environment!
ReUse, RePurpose, ReCycle
This latest Sonbuilt Fraser Valley project is all about doing a demolition responsibly. We are re-purposing as items in the home as possible by reusing many materials in the new build and recycling the items we don’t use to ensure they don’t end up in a landfill. Some items will be donated to local charities, some will be re-sold via social media, and many will be saved as we transition from old to new. Stay tuned!
SOIL SCREENER
This soil screener from IDM Holdings Inc. allows us to screen and reuse soil from our jobsites. We’ve been using this screener while we service the upcoming building lots for THE VINE at Pepin Brook in Abbotsford. Much of the soil will be sifted through and reused throughout the job site.
MIKE HOLMES AND SONBUILT
We’re proud to say that Sonbuilt Custom Homes has been chosen by Mike Holmes as the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley exclusive Holmes Approved Homes builder. The Holmes Approved Homes program is a third party certification program. A Mike Holmes inspector visits our homes during construction to ensure we are building our new homes right!
RADON GAS
Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and it can be in your home without you even realizing it. The building code is the first step to preventing these harmful gasses from entering your home, but there are things that can be done above and beyond the basic building code. By using radon mitigation products we strive to ensure your home will be safe for you and your family for years to come.
QUICKFLASH
The Quickflash A/C U-C is both air and water tight making it highly energy efficient. With the ability to run lines from inside your home to the outside without the loss of excess energy Sonbuilt is proud to use both this product and the company that makes them.
Yet another thing we do to go above and beyond for our customers.
BASF WALL SYSTEM
This wall features the attention to detail that we look for in a product. Consisting of two inches of graphite enhanced neo-pore on the outside, along with an additional two inches of spray foam insulation in the center of the wall, you will know without a doubt that the home is maintaining its temperature better than it would if a standard wall were in its place.
SURGE PROTECTION WITH MIKE HOLMES
Eaton’s whole home surge protection device protects your home electronics from the damaging effects of electrical surges. This Holmes Approved product provides the highest level of surge protection and safety.
SEALING AN ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME
When building a new home, the best time to air seal a home is at the framing stage. Sealing takes place around the electrical and plumbing locations as well as all penetrations that enter and exit the home.
THE BLOWER DOOR TEST
A high performance home is an air tight home. Proper air tightness will reduce the energy consumption in your home, avoid moisture related problems, and stop those uncomfortable drafts from cold outdoor air. Performing a blower door test tells us just how air tight a home is.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
We use the Graf Ecobloc stormwater block to control stormwater runoff. These modules have three times the storage volume of standard drainage gravel. Using this system eliminates a significant amount of excavation and soil and gravel handling, providing greater savings than using traditional methods and materials.
FOUNDATION FINISHING
We finish our insulated concrete form foundations with a self adhesive membrane called Soprema, a foundation wrap called Delta drain, and a third product called TuffX to ensure our foundations remain protected and dry. Each of these three components contribute to a solid foundation which allows for a more energy efficient home.
USING A TELEBELT
We called in Marshall Brothers to provide the services of their telebelt conveyor to assist in the placement of material around 3 rainwater harvesting tanks at our Abbotsford project. By using a telebelt, we can quickly and economically convey and place bulk material such as sand, gravel, and crushed rock.
DOOR AND WINDOW BUCKS
We use a non treated dimensional wood for our window and door bucks. This non treated product will not corrode the fasteners we use for installation. We use a product called Tuff-X to separate the concrete and the wood.
HOLMES APPROVED HOMES
We’re proud to say that Sonbuilt Custom Homes has been chosen by Mike Holmes as the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley exclusive Holmes Approved Homes builder.
AN ICF FOUNDATION
An icf (insulated concrete form) foundation will make your new home more comfortable, energy efficient, and durable.
UNDERSLAB PREPARATION
We’ve put clear crush rock under the footings and the slab. We’ve sloped the excavation to one corner where the water will drain away from the foundation. The water will drain away from the under the slab and from under the footings. Now the footings won’t be sitting in water.
STONE SLINGER
A stone slinger puts soil, dirt, rocks, and other materials where you need it. By using this efficient piece of equipment, we can eliminate material handling, reduce construction time and waste, and ultimately, save on the cost to build your home.
RAIN WATER HARVESTING
Sonbuilt Custom Homes Ltd., together with University Sprinkler Systems Inc. and Barr Plastics, installed this rainwater harvesting system in a custom home in Abbotsford.