AIR SEALING Let's put up some PEEL & STICK

February 3, 2019
Today I apply a peel and stick membrane to the basement wall. I show all the steps that I took to install this air barrier. This is a tedious job that takes a lot of patience and care, but if done right, can be the difference that makes the house last generations.

We're the Leavers Family, welcome to our journey!

Instagram |   / leaversfamily  
Facebook |   / the-leavers-family-379338749544676  

We are a young family leaving the city behind to go back to the land. We're seeking a more sustainable life while starting a permaculture farm in the forest of the Pacific Northwest. Currently we are DIY building our baby boomer parents a dream retirement home using the latest building science and high performance home technologies.

We are Benjamin (36) and Christine (31). And we are the Leavers. We moved from Seattle in December 2014 to a dream property in the forest of Western Washington to live a more intentional life. So far we have renovated a 750 square foot 1950's cabin and built a rocket mass heater, attached greenhouse of reclaimed windows, and an HRV. We've experimented with ponds, swales, and gardens with future plans for a full scale permaculture farm.

First, we are building a retirement home for Christie's parents. We are trying to integrate current building science, passive house techniques, and aging in place principles. We started with designing the 3000 square foot residence, detached garage, and constructing a 2000 square foot pole barn/shop. So far Ben has cleared the land including old-growth stump removal with our backhoe, built the road and driveway, installed utilities, prepped for the foundations, built the pole barn/shop, installed standing seam metal roofing, air-sealed the house, planned the hydronic radiant heat system, installed windows, exterior insulation and rainscreens, installed siding, and built the 1200 sq foot deck. We still have a long ways to go, but we are making progress.

We want to share our story so far, and plan to document it all going forward. We hope you enjoy our channel!