Week 34. The frog that lived.
The frog’s rescue video.
Today I had an unexpected adventure with a little frog who found himself stuck in our sump pump. This morning, I discovered him there, managing to float and hop around. I promised him I'd be back after work to help him out. True to his resilient nature, he was still there when I returned! Rescuing him wasn't straightforward; he was quite the elusive jumper this morning. But with a bit of creativity and patience, I managed to safely catch him and set him free. Here’s a video of our little survivor’s rescue. It’s moments like these that remind us of the unexpected joys and small victories in daily life.
The reason our little amphibian guest ended up in the sump pump is quite straightforward. The grading around our home hasn't changed since the foundation was laid, resulting in a lot of negative slope leading directly to several drains connected to our sump pump. One of these drains lost its protective mesh cover, likely dislodged by mud sliding down the hill, creating an unintended entry point for creatures like our frog friend. We're planning to address this as soon as the weather and our schedules allow, by adjusting the grading around the basement to ensure this doesn’t become a recurring issue.
With insulation installation on the horizon, potentially as soon as next week, we've shifted our focus to addressing rain intrusions and sealing any leaks. The existing negative grading is complicating the foundation’s drainage effectiveness, compounding the issues caused by the still unfinished roofing and guttering, which are directing water flow in less than ideal paths. We are prioritizing the resolution of all roofing and drainage concerns to ensure a dry and secure environment before the insulation goes in. This is crucial to prevent any future water damage and to maintain the overall health of our home’s structure.
A fun tradition has taken root at Sugarfield: our framers and other tradespeople have been signing different parts of the work they've completed. Many of these signatures, captured in photos, will eventually be hidden within the walls, serving as a lasting tribute to their hard work and excellent craftsmanship. We're particularly proud of this practice because it shows that anyone who is willing to put their name on their work takes great pride in their craftsmanship. Moreover, it feels incredibly meaningful to fill our walls with the names of the people who have labored tirelessly to transform our house into the home it will soon be.
