A post-Thanksgiving warm spell was perfectly timed for the PM-sponsored Habitat For Humanity home in Southfield, Mich. In November and December, a team of excavating, plumbing, heating and cement contractors turned an empty lot into a busy jobsite.

Jim Root, of Root’s Excavating, Milford, Mich., dug trenches for the footings, sewer and city water lines. Ken Russ, of Russ Plumbing, Detroit, Mich., then tied in the waste drains and water inlet piping. After a short “hunting-season” inspection delay (too many inspections, not enough inspectors), the site was graded for foundation block work and the radiant heating system.

With sunshine and balmy temperatures, a crew from Dan Young Heating & Cooling, Eastpointe, Mich., went to work on the radiant heating system. The crew covered the home’s entire interior square footage with foam-board insulation (covered with a vapor barrier), then applied wire mesh.

Using a blue print for guidance, the Young Heating team installed Wirsbo PEX radiant tubing, tying it to the wire mesh. Wirsbo donated all the tubing and controls for the Habitat home. At press time, cement contractors were set to pour the slab atop the radiant tubing.

This radiant heating job is a first for the South Oakland Habitat For Humanity chapter. The use of the radiant heating system and other energy-saving practices will allow the home to qualify for Habitat’s “Green Team”designation.

Once the cement is cured, the Habitat team will install prefabricated metal stud walls and frame in the rest of the home. Our next update will include some signs of vertical construction.