Last week we spent getting things ready for the remodel
We had some trees taken down by pros (because the power lines ran through them) and I knocked a couple down myself
here are some pics so far
Before
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_0384.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_0385.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6253.jpg)
after
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6259.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6260.jpg)
The (faint) red lines are the where the new foundation for the 3 car garage is going (supposed to start digging today) eventually to attach to the house in the background
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6263.jpg)
The 'flat roof' section on the left right (duh) will be taken off and new construction will connect to the new garage
the existing steel roof will be removed also
We are adding 8 feet to the width of the original house between the new garage and the house.
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_0389.jpg)
exciting times ahead....
This is the elevation of the 3 car garage
We plan to use the single garage door section for a shop -- so probably no door ( just headered off for a garage door later, maybe)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6265.jpg)
it will be in foreground of this photo
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6263.jpg)
What is the plan for the 2nd story above the garage? 3 car garage with doormers will probably leave a pretty good bit of space up there.
The plans have a 2 bedroom efficiency apartment above the garage
We may build it that way and live there while the rest of the remodeling is done to the old house
the old house will look very much the same with a 12 / 12 pitch roof and dormers upstairs
it depends if we sell the current home and need a place to stay for a while
I think the project will take about a year overall -- but hope to have it dried in with new roofs before the snow flies
I'll post drawings later when I complete some that look decent
Other wise we may just leave the upstairs garage as a bonus room
Glad to see another Wisconsinite here! Good luck with your project.
Thanks Toyota
Staying at the. Farm tnite
Chilly. 40s
The dig has started
Pic to follow
Sorry for. The. Typos. I. Haagen this. Iphone
Sorry for the typos -- the Iphon does not work well up there I guess
Here are some pics from thursday
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6290_zpsb123ce39.jpg)
The old cellar entrance is gone
This area will be the new foundation for the new breakfast area off the kitchen
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6292_zps81f4382b.jpg)
here is the view east from the new breakfast table
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6286_zps42259d81.jpg)
view west from the new bfast table
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6293_zpsf5d9843a.jpg)
some early fall colors
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6296_zps8c54ca61.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6307_zps05b49578.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6300_zps674b0298.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6299_zps04d658bc.jpg)
WOW
the concrete guys were amazing
excavate thursday --we went up sunday nite -- done !
Monday- footings
tuesday foundation walls are poured !!
pics to follow
so far this is going perfect
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/CopyofIMG_6379.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/CopyofIMG_6364.jpg)
Yes it is amazing when you have a trade professional do things that would otherwise take a lay person weeks to complete. Maybe money is the motivation. ;) Somethings are better left to the professionals to save time.
When they were pouring the walls the three guys were working flat out non stop for an hour and 40 minutes
There is no way I could have done this myself even if I was 30 years younger
It went like clockwork
first cement truck was scheduled for 1:00 and he was driving in at 1:00
just as the first truck was empty the second drove in and they finished the pour
worth every penny !
Meyers Concrete The best !
Thanks to Mike, Dennis, and Brian
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6403.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6414.jpg)
done !
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6418.jpg)
Looks like really nice soil....
soil..
never covered by glaciers, south west Wisconsin (driftless region)
heavy red clay about 4 feet down
top soil, rich black prairie - Glacial till according to USGS
This is a better perspective for the Garage elevation
This will be in the fore-ground
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6265.jpg)
of this pic
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/CopyofCopyofIMG_6392.jpg)
View from the top of the dirt pile of the front of the house with foundation poured
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6417.jpg)
Wondering how you are going to make that transition from the old to the new with the roof line. ???
Good question Red
the old house roof will be removed and a new 12/12 pitch roof with dormers like the garage will be built.
the ridge lines will be at right angles and meet at about the center of the new garage roof
we added 8 feet between the old house and the new garage
The old house is basically 34 feet square -- so now it will be 34 X 42
here, hot off the drawing board, is the first floor lay out
There may be a few tweeks yet, but basically we're pretty happy with this
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6428.jpg)
Your going to remove that nice old standing seam roof huh? Seems a shame... Does it leak?
It leaks a bit in some places
but basically it needs to be replaced to make way for the new upstairs
The foundation walls with the forms removed
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6434.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6437.jpg)
this window area in the center will be framed in and is the future home of the woodstove
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6430.jpg)
Here is an interesting picture of the foundation that will be under the breakfast area
Just below the window on the left is where I fell last night twisting my right knee
today the knee is trying to resemble a soft ball -- orthopedic doc visit Friday
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6465.jpg)
Quote from: Windpower on October 03, 2012, 04:08:47 PM
.... I fell last night twisting my right knee
today the knee is trying to resemble a soft ball -- orthopedic doc visit Friday
Sorry to hear about the knee; a poorly designed joint, but we are stuck with it. Hope they can advise on some exercise and some "do not do this" sort of thing rather than say they need to go in there with a knife.
same page there, Don
it's a dirt bike legacy....
nice project !
the knee issues yep got two of them ! just had a week in the house with the mellon knee.
I had it checked last time xray - mri the works
yep you have a busted tendon and the others are torn- but we'll wait for the ACL to break and do both at the same time !
So now I'm just waiting for my lower leg to fall off - so that they can bolt me together again !
Sorry to hear the problems UK
I hope to avoid surgery if possible
this is the third time I have twisted the knee backwards -- I know it will take at least a year to get back to 'normal'
bad timing
So just sitting here waiting for the knee to get better (MRI Monday)
I just did some ebay shopping for 3/0 copper wire.
Gulp, copper is expensive these days ! I bought 500 feet of 3/0 THWN It should work for the solar panel/charge controller to battery run
It seemed like a pretty good buy --- not cheap, but free shipping
Anyway in the below picture to the left is a small building with a red door (old Pump House) -- this will be the new battery house. The solar panels will be behind the gray (40' X 80') pole barn visible behind the battery house.
I think the wire run will be something under 90 feet so I should be OK with the 150 Amps @ 48 VDC from the panels according my calcs (maybe Don could confirm that) But I will have to put the charge controllers out by the 4 strings of panels in a protected building of some kind -- maybe a corner of the pole barn.
worst case I'll double up the wire with 2 strands of 3/0 per + and -
I can also use the wire in the gray conduit, another 90 feet of 2/0 that used to feed the wind generator batteries (it is that thin gray curved line in front of the Battery (old pump) house
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6291_zps9860c086.jpg)
My EDR program gives me the following:
For 48 VDC, 150 amps, 3/0 copper wire, 90 foot one way distance = voltage drop of 4.31%.
Less than the 5% the power company uses as a cut off but more than the 3% that is regarded by many as best for alternative power systems.
Other data:
90 feet wire, one way distance, 48 VDC, 125 amps = 3.59% voltage drop
90 feet wire, one way distance, 48 VDC, 100 amps = 2.87% voltage drop
90 feet wire, one way distance, 48 VDC. 105 amps = 3% voltage drop.
But the wire won't be transmitting 150 amps all the time. Anytime there is less than 100 amps you would be under 3%.
That said, I have a question...
Why place the charge controllers out by the modules? If you ran higher voltage through the wires and had the charge controllers by the batteries it would seem that would lower the percentage voltage drop. Of course the maximum cold weather voltage would have to be within (less than) the maximum voltage rating of the controllers.
In any event the Vmp of the modules should be at least 60 VDC in order to take advantage of MPPT... the controllers will be MPPT won't they? So, if the module voltage is 60 - 72 VDC that will lower the voltage drop too.
Good luck with the MRI!
Thanks for the input Don
According to the Xantrex string sizing tool each of the 4 strings of panels would need their own contoller (Xantrex MPPT 60 - 150 60 amp maximum at 150 V max). I thought the output from each of the contollers (7500 total panel watts / 50 V = max 150 Amp on a cold sunny day) would then be bussed together to feed the batteries through the 3/0 wire run to minimize wire cost and simplify the set up
The alternate would be four runs of wire (one from each string of panels to the contollers near the batteries ) -- this would be another major wire purchase that I was trying to avoid --- although I could reduce the wire size for the approximate 40 A for each string it was still more money for wire (4 runs of #2 would do it)
ebay for 750 feet of 2 conductor 2 gauge ( albeit more than I need )
http://www.ebay.com/itm/750-2-2-Gauge-AWG-Type-W-Round-Portable-Cord-Super-Cable-Wire-Flexible-RHH-RHW-/150859407345?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231febdff1
$3765 ouch !
about twice the 3/0 wire
I am starting to think there is no one best answer to what should be a simple problem but that rapidly gets to be rather complex
Quote from: Windpower on October 07, 2012, 04:49:31 AM
I am starting to think there is no one best answer to what should be a simple problem but that rapidly gets to be rather complex
Right on that Many ways to skin the proverbial cat! No matter what or how lots of power requires lots of wire and as the distances grow it is more complex.
Not to make the problems more complex, but did you look at Midnight Solar's charge controllers? They have models that go as high as 250 volts.
I think I will try to stay with Xantrex so the parts can talk to each other over their Xanbus network
Xantrex just came out with a 600 volt model but at 80 Amps and $1000 makes it hard to justify verses the $400 XW60 - 150
Although the latest Evergreen panels I got from Sunelec are rated to 1000 VDC system voltage (my first 12 panels are 160 V max IIRC), I have some concerns about safety at 600 VDC (600 VDC can be quite lethal) -- I would have to fence and/or lock up things very securely from tiny curious 6 year old fingers since the first stage will be ground level mounts as opposed to out of reach roof or pole mounts
Hard to plan for the future when the products are a fairly fast moving target, I guess
maybe for the next setup in 10 or 15 years
Ok, I was just catching up on this tread and I want to pass along a little bit of irony.
Windpower talking about solar panel instalations...
Just saying that was too easy not to pass up. Besides that the foundation looks great!
It does make sense in many ways to stick to the same brand of equipment within a system. :)
Re DC voltages. While I doubt anyone will argue that high voltages like 440 and 600 can easily be lethal not everyone may realize that 48 volts is also getting into the lethal range. OHSA, NFPA and other organizations consider 50 volts as the threshold where certain safety regulations take effect. And as you know when talking about a 48 volt DC system, the voltages are frequently going to be higher. So the 48 volt system should be treated with the same rules and respect as those very high numbers. Lockable enclosures will be your friend for life.
Good one, Colchester
The wind turbines are late next year or spring '14 hopefully.
I am working on a time frame for getting the 'bones' down first
depending on when I retire so I can work full time on this (speaking of irony ;D
it looks like this is a 2 year project into phase one (House done, garden started, solar operational, tear down old garage (the shed roofed gray building behind the back hoe in the last posted pic) and get the shops functional -- not necessarily in that order. Oh, and somewhere in there we have to sell/rent our house and move.....
I think the shops are a top priority after the house is done and then the solar. I may work on the shops during the garage/house construction. There is one off the side of the barn (needs work) and the new one in the new garage when it gets done (hopefully before the snow flies this year. Eventually it would be nice to build a 40 X 40 'dream shop' in half of the pole building with concrete floor and heat (it would be so good to have a warm shop next winter) There is a functional (I think) wood stove in the basement that was used to heat the house by the last tenant -- should work for the 40 X 40 shop I think
more later ......
Good points, Don
I work on lab instruments -- most are 220 in from the mains (as the UK reps call them)
inside voltages run up to about 10 to 20 KV for certain circuits
one instrument has a 550 VDC power supply and although well protected, we sometimes have to read it with a meter when troubleshooting, as the EE that designed it said in training
"Well you have to be careful, it will knock you on your ass"
Another precaution around batteries is to insulate wrenches that are long enough to span pos to neg leaving only the working end bare metal and also not wear any jewelry or rings
I have not worn a ring working on instruments for 25 years and rarely a watch
I'm an instrument engineer
The only things i've ever worked on at 10-20kv although battery supplied equipment were gieger counters !
I did my aprenticeship at an atomic research center in the UK - the site is now mostly moth balled and rented to tech companies
we had over 50 active reactors when i was there- from submarine fuel cells to full reactors supplying the grid
and the favorite machine----the worlds biggest air gun !
used to test reactor wall structures- and various others things during lunch !
Sounds like a fun toy, UK
I shorted 5 KV once due to a bad ground --- quite a wake up -- fortunately low current -- uA
not interested in 600 VDC from panels for me or other visitors -- you only have to forget once
Finally finished the front elevation -- lots of time here lately waiting for the knee to work better
MRI showed a torn ACL hopefully the PT will get me operational without surgery
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6476.jpg)
A picture of the house before. The window in the center of this pic is the window drawn to the left of the front door in the front elevation, the front door is about where the window on the right is now
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_0389.jpg)
Your place is going to look really great, Windpower!
Thank you very much, Sassy
We are going up tomorrow to meet with the carpenters on the materials list and spec out the doors and garage door
weather permitting the floor for the garage will get poured
It is now a race with the weather but the carpenter says he should have the garage framed and dried-in in a week or so after they start about Nov 1
Apparently they are known for rapid builds -- he has one house to frame in before ours and 'well somewhere in the next few weeks we have a pole barn to put up too but that is only 2 or 3 days'
November is an unpredictable month up there --- It could be very nice in the 50's, I remember one deer season (thanksgiving week) that was so warm we had to ice the deer after field dressing them or one year it snowed 4 inches in the second week and stayed till April -- *fingers crossed*
on a side note we got delivery of the 3/0 wire for the panels -- all 300 pounds of it --- fortunately I had a heavy duty 4 wheel dolly my wife used to push it down the driveway while I hobbled along behind
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6481.jpg)
Meant to mention your knee - hopefully you'll get by without surgery - I've had a tear in my right knee for a couple years - caught my foot on some strapping tape that had been buried up by the shop & fell onto a pile of plywood - hit my knee pretty hard >:( My next surgery will be getting my right hip replaced - I've put it off as long as I can... not looking forward to that.
Hang in there, Sassy
it is amazing how your life can change in split seconds
*hug*
wife and I are going up there tomorrow -- there is so much to do yet
Update
we didn't go up last week because the weather was rainy and they didn't plan to pour
So I just checked the weather for next week and -- rain rain rain.
Wunderground weather predicts rain for the next 10 days with some snow in there too
So I was getting concerned because the there are 2 support pads needed for the second floor supports in the floor -- no floor -- no garage
I called the concrete guy today asking him what the plan was
To my relief he said -- "We poured it yesterday" (Saturday) He even cut off the old cellar door and refitted it (I was going to do that )
Then he said he was going out to score it today (Sunday)
I feel that we really picked an extraordinary contractor
What a relief !
What a relief !!
Yes it sounds like you got an exception to most that are in buisness. :)
We are very pleased, Red
We picked him from Angie's list -- I think he has earned some very good ratings from us
The floor looks great -- Meyers did a great job -- very smooth
Nice !
Notice all the leaves are down now -- the next race is to get the garage dried in before the snow which could come any time
Windows should be there next week ...
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6490.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6482.jpg)
Got the shipment of twenty 235 watt solar panels from Sun Electric
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6495.jpg)
unfortunately one was damaged --- called sunelec and they said they would take care of it
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6502.jpg)
Went up Sunday to get generator power to the house so we can run the well pump
Heavy rain and 60 degrees turned the place into a mud pit -- made getting anything done more difficult
Monday morning 21 degrees and windy -- 10 degree wind chill -- but at least the ground was frozen making walking easier, oh and snow too
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6506.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6505.jpg)
but by early afternoon -- power to the people house
The reliable (so far *fingers crossed*) China diesel lives and is very quiet --(not "Silent" as claimed in the bottom right corner blue decal) just a low barely audible hum inside the house. The well pump powers up just fine from it, too
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6509.jpg)
and is hooked into the house
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6507.jpg)
Went up for deer season friday and there was a stack of material waiting
28 TJI's and 3 38 foot long beams
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6513.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6516.jpg)
10 minutes after season open my nephew bagged one of the local bucks
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6511.jpg)
me --- still have my tag
We went up over the weekend --- I still have my deer tags :-[
The concrete is poured in the crawl space and the trusses are to be delivered Wednesday
The carpenters are starting tomorrow.
exciting times .....
I'll post pics later this week
Drove up and back yesterday -- quite nice day for late November 43 degrees and sunny
A deer stopped by to check it out here's a print next to my size 10 boot
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6522.jpg)
a pic of our 'front steps' for the week end with power hook up -- crude but functional
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6521.jpg)
here's what they have done in the last two days
no more 'front steps'
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6526.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6531.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6525.jpg)
This will be the door to the house from the garage
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6528.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6524.jpg)
They got the garage door wall up before they left for the day
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6532.jpg)
next we have to get the tub for the apartment upstairs before they frame in the stairs -- glad the carpenter reminded me
trusses for the roof should get there today
More progress on the garage
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6542.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6533_1.jpg)
Stairs are in
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6538.jpg)
Looking out the south west window (the one over the single garage door)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6536.jpg)
Gray day at Bricolage Farm
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6537_1.jpg)
The trusses arrived Friday but they decided not put them up due high winds forecast for the weekend
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6543.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6541.jpg)
hopefully the weather will cooperate tomorrow and they can set the trusses
With the cold coming in rapidly we/they decided not to shingle the roof since it won't get hot enough to seal them down and we run the risk of them blowing off (we are on a windy ridge top and Mike said it wasn't much fun replacing shingles on an icy 12/12 roof ) instead we are going to put down ice and water shield until next spring.
Hopefully you can get it dried in before the serious weather arrives. Seems that our colder weather arrived sooner this year than usual. But that is always the way when you have things to get done that are weather dependent. ;D
The weather is starting to change ....
Today here in N IL it is a beautiful 60 degrees and sun
According to weaher underground we should see a couple of days like this in WI over the next week or so
*fingers crossed*
Trusses going up
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6552.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6548.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6551.jpg)
45 Foot long TJI's to deck the second floor were delivered -- they will go from the garage to the other end of the original house
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6553.jpg)
This 'orange monster' really speeds up the job -- the double trusses for the second floor door to the house were extremely heavy but the machine made quick work of it
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6555.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6589.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6587.jpg)
More pics later
they are trying to get the deck done and the ice and water seal down before the bad weather predicted for next week hits.......
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6595.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6596.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6598.jpg)
The flatness of the truss/OSB roof is remarkable
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6590.jpg)
Almost sealed in
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6606.jpg)
Looking good. I would imagine depending on the weather whether you breach the old structure this year to tie the two together.
Long range weather from weather underground (which has a pretty good record so far) says next week is wintery/ snowy thene the following week back to the 40's
Mike says he can get the old farmhouse roof off and the second story decked then covered with plastic and tarps for the winter.
*fingers crossed*
We went up saturday to check things out
It is supposed to hit ten degrees tonight so we wanted to get the canned stuff into the basement where it won't freeze
got a good fire going saturday night then went to a motel
here is the latest progress -- Dried in, windows set
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6627-1.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6626.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6622.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6612-1.jpg)
REC ran the new underground electric service (the black loop in this pic)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6614-1.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6612-1.jpg)
Then Sunday morning 3 inches of wet slippery snow --- we were not able to make it up the hill -- the plow truck didn't either
so we went home -- hoping for the best -- at least we have the structure ready fo winter -- made it with one day to spare
On the way home we saw this pair of bald eagles waiting for the storm to stop
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6633.jpg)
Well that was frustrating and a waste of gas and time
Weather report said 30 percent chance of light snow --- wrong, we had near white out in places and black ice on the main highway two cars off the road and one poor soul with a
jack-knifed 40 foot disk trying to go up a hill
Was to meet up with the insulation removal contractor
could not make it up the hill -- the plow truck had not gone through yet and it was very slick -- I would not have tried it with 4WD -- there is a 60 foot drop of on one side of the road
I called and we resheduled the inspection to next year
Oh well .......
Went up and back today (340 miles)
Moved all the perishables into the basement -- lowest temp in the basement so far 43 degrees
everything is battened down ----- good thing too, storm coming --- 15 inches of white and 40 MPH wind
8 degree tomorrow - 20 degree wind chill
it is almost like winter :)
Great progress in spite of the weather - that's gonna look really nice - lots of extra room, for sure!
Love the pic of the bald eagles!
Thanks Sassy
The eagles looked almost cartoonish sitting there -- we were really glad the camera was in the car....
Last night they got 14 inches of snow and 45 mph winds, tonight they are predicting 1 degree
we didn't get it dried in a moment too soon
Went up to meet with the insulation removal contractor
A little snow ~ 12" - plus drifts the snow shoes came in handy
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6715.jpg)
I have to admit it was a pretty day, if a bit cold
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6719.jpg)
Did some snow plowing with the tractor
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6724.jpg)
Met with the contractor and drove home --- they will get a quote to me
oh and check out this hornets nest in the attic over 2 feet wide
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6722.jpg)
WOW, hadn't seen knob-n-tube service in years. Enjoying the updates.
Windpower looks like you timed that about right (winter or early spring) . Those hornets would have been nasty to deal with in the summer. ;D
Yeah, the knob and tube is a bit scary
I am not sure if it is powered or not but it is definitely going away
I saw the hornets going into the facia over the summer and used probably 5 cans of bug and wasp killer on the entrance -- it did not seem to slow them down.
From what I have read the nests die off over winter --- still not sure if I want to try dragging it out myself or not.....
Quote from: Windpower on January 05, 2013, 02:16:43 PM
I saw the hornets going into the facia over the summer and used probably 5 cans of bug and wasp killer on the entrance -- it did not seem to slow them down.
From what I have read the nests die off over winter --- still not sure if I want to try dragging it out myself or not.....
I would say that you would be OK. Even if they are alive I am sure they would be a little sluggish and you can out run them. ;)
Not sure if I could out run them or not these days ...... ;D
Finally got the weather and insulation contractors together
It was muddy but not so cold
overall took about 6 hours to get it all vacuumed out and bagged
they did a very good job and did not make a mess
They ran the hose out a window. (yeah it really was that foggy)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6730_1_zps8715ab50.jpg)
The vacuum truck and trailer
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6729_1_zps0eb8219c.jpg)
Off topic -- it seems there was a post about grain bin houses some where here
this is a few miles from the farm -- even has a grain bin garage
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6726_zps5ded3d59.jpg)
Finally May 6 there is a stretch of predicted 3 days in a row of sun-- so off comes the roof
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/019_zps19372bc7.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/019_zps19372bc7.jpg.html)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/017_zps66b03414.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/017_zps66b03414.jpg.html)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/042_zps75785104.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/042_zps75785104.jpg.html)
and the 'flat roof' old kitchen area on the right in the above pic
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/057_zps468e6a07.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/057_zps468e6a07.jpg.html)
this is what we had left
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/026_zps94f43431.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/026_zps94f43431.jpg.html)
after talking it through we decided there was only going to be 45 feet of out side walls left -- a mix of 2x4 oak studs that were rock hard and none of the window areas matched up --- and none of them were any too straight either
took all the walls down and put up new 2x6 walls that could be insulated and made straight. Overall it ended costing about another $1000 in materials and saved at least 2 days of reframing the old walls
And we now have nice straight well insulated walls for those cold WI winters
True to their word the walls were up in a day
viola !!
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/059_zps9219dc66.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/059_zps9219dc66.jpg.html)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/067_zps04095789.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/067_zps04095789.jpg.html)
the next day they had the second floor decked -- this is the cutout for the stairs up
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/111_zpse157422c.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/111_zpse157422c.jpg.html)
and the rains came again -- note the tarp ---- we pulled about 300 square feet of maple hardwood flooring (much milled from trees on the farm I understand) to be reused later (my back may never be the same)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/113_zps80e89e84.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/113_zps80e89e84.jpg.html)
and since it was wet and rainy we lit the debris pile
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/095_zps7ae1677c.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/095_zps7ae1677c.jpg.html)
Do you plan to backfeed the grid or are you going to go offgrid? I ask because I see the power pull and the run from the power co.
We are offgrid but if running power wasn't so expensive I would have a feed just to charge my battery bank on dark days instead of relying on a generator.
Great build -- thank you for documenting!
Thanks PCM
initially we are going on grid
BUT
when we get the 7.5 KiloWatt solar panels running the grid is going away
I think we should be self sufficient -- at least that is the plan
Lilacs are out
View from the future master bath south
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/005_zps0190d0a3.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/005_zps0190d0a3.jpg.html)
waiting for windows and roof trusses
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/001_zps9b7f4cb5.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/001_zps9b7f4cb5.jpg.html)
view from future master BR window looking east
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/004_zps93534fed.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/004_zps93534fed.jpg.html)
view from north bedroom dormer window
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/006_zps28c28b6c.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/006_zps28c28b6c.jpg.html)
Probably a wise decision on the old part. I am sure that you now have it framed more to your liking than what was there. So basicly you now have a completely new house. That in itself is worth the extra money knowing that there will not be any problems mating up to the old and the new lay out. Thanks for posting.
Thanks, Red
the old waqll would have been near impossible to insulate well
that and the sill plate were off level by almost 4 inches from one room to the next in places
the carpenters estimated that the extra materials were going to offset almost completely by saved labor (I am doing this time plus material)
It is great working with these guys --- the actual tear down was done in less than a day total --- their SkyTrax machine is amazing too
trusses should be there late next week or early the following -- then they will probably rent a crane -- they are going to be some big trusses (they came in at about 7 K total but will save at least a week of labor according to Mike -- a good deal
A quick visit Sunday showed real progress.
The trusses and windows are on site and the second floor framing has begun
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/054_zps489fac2e.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/051_zpsb37ba541.jpg)
Looking down the upstairs hallway from the garage
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/055_zpse4ff0558.jpg)
They found and fixed an error in my plans that added 20 inches to the width of the 'sewing room'
nice to have carpenters that think things through -- he did call me after he corrected the error to ask if I wanted the window moved over -- yes, thank you
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/056_zps9d941079.jpg)
Master bath framed in -- this is the window in the tub alcove
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/057_zps3f6a407e.jpg)
east wall -- the peak will be about 4 feet higher than he garage peak seen way in the back of this pic
the headered off section in the center first floor will be the bump out for the wood stove
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/052_zpsb09c7ade.jpg)
I almost forgot
we found a few morels
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/003_zps2800a0a7.jpg)
Think you need to overnight them to me so I can test them for toxicity. ;D Nice progress on the house.
You are invited up next year for testing, Red -- and the accommodation should be better too
we're having asparagus soup with morels tonight
Progress even in the Wisconsin monsoon season (it has been a record month for rain in WI)
trusses are up -- second floor mostly framed in before the rains hit
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/003_zps9e3b3062.jpg)[/URL]
front elevation
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/023_zpsf465fb19.jpg)[/URL]
bedroom windows
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/016_zpsffaa10d0.jpg)[/URL]
bedroom/bath
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/008_zps0f31af81.jpg)[/URL]
east gable end
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/001_zpsa36e6fab.jpg)[/URL]
hopefully the rains will stop soon and they can get the roof on
it rained most of last week so the tire ruts from the sky trak are almost 2 feet deep in places
(We are going to landscape all this anyway so no big deal)
but we are dried in -- not a moment too soon, more rain for the next 3 days
ruts in the back yard
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/014_zps9a735191.jpg)
front elevation
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/009_zpsa43167d0.jpg)
back
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/005_zpsc4207ea8.jpg)
The house peak is a few feet taller than the garage but they framed it nicely matching the pitch of the garage roof
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/007_zps95f546d4.jpg)
our morning east view from MB
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/013_zps62f00491.jpg)
(this hotel internet is a pita --- I'll post more pics later
quick visit yesterday
almost shingled
talked to mike this morning -- they got 3 1/2 inches of rain last night --- they are working inside today
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/032_zpsc1802828.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/040_zpsf1d0531b.jpg)
this is the bump out for the woodstove
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/035_zpsbccf8606.jpg)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/039_zps126145b0.jpg)
You might consider a couple of things concerning your stove location. It wouldn't be a bad idea to wire a recepticle someplace close. In the future (or now) you may have a blower on the/a stove. If at some point you get too old to cut firewood ( I am almost there) ;) you may upgrade to a gas unit in place of the woodn burner. Be nice to have a nippled pipe close for that purpose. On my cabin I burn the wood fireplace now but plumbed it with a gas line "just in case". Just a couple of thoughts.
Thanks Red I'll take that under advisement.
Interior framing and shingling is 98% done -- probably finish 'stage one' today
Then the 'fun' starts with the mechanicals .....
pics later
Soooo a lot a has happened in the last few weeks
I just saw June 17 for the last post WHOAAA
here's the cliff notes version....
We sold our house in CL
We moved out into storage and a camper
The county decided to stop construction on the house because --why --- "just because" Really it is because they need the money --- just keep writing checks.....
We now have a permit
We now have started construction again
did I mention we are living in a 25' borrowed camper.....
did I mention the flash flood 6/26 --the day before the appraisal for the home sale .....it worked out
Dump truck number 11 just left its load for the septic tank fill (it is 7:15 PM and I just had my "solar shower" since we have no running water
some pics:
the new septic field
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/009_zps489d2b83.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/009_zps489d2b83.jpg.html)
Front elevation (the colors look way better than this --(thanks to my dear wife)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/011_zpsde00ca57.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/011_zpsde00ca57.jpg.html)
This was a very busy week
We now have an approved septic system
The inspector approved the garage for power
the power company connected the power and we now have the well pump operational (without the generator)
Running water is nice !
the next two weeks we hope to have the plumbing and Heating and AC mostly in
the same contractor that put in the POWTS (that's Wisconsin for Privately Owned Water Treatment System) is doing the plumbing and HVAC
They did a good job so far and even dug out the stump from the spruce tree I had to cut down last fall
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_6259.jpg)
The only problem the inspector saw for the rough-in was that the front bedroom upstairs was deficient in window area (this is the one with the dormer) The area was fine for ventilation but deficient in light ::) --there is no place to put another window
there are 4 remedies we discussed: a skylight (NOT going to happen), remove the closet (thus making it a "non bedroom"), put in a transome opening from the master BR to the front BR (conveniently located over the master bed) or leave the doorways open to the front bedroom and the master bedroom thus allowing more light to enter the front bedroom from the master BR ::)
I think we'll leave the doors off ;)
Things may slow down in September as the carpenters will be elk hunting in Colorado
I asked them if they wouldn't rather be hanging drywall -- they said 'no'
I said "then at least bring me back some elk meat"
So I guess this will be home sweet home for another couple months (at least there is plenty of light and window area for our 55 sq ft bedroom)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/001_zpsb04d93f2.jpg)
Plumbing and H/AC starts tomorrow -- not a moment too soon --the same sub is doing both so hopefully they will play well with each other. we are trying to get the downstairs bath functional so we can have real showers and the luxury of a flushing toilet
A couple weeks ago I woke up about 5 AM to thundershowers that lasted to about 7
when I went out to the pole barn I looked down to see a partial track about 3 1/2 inches around
there have been sightings of cougars in the area (about 80 mile west of Madison) and an 80 pound wolf killed about 12 miles from here last week (farmer had lost several calves this spring and obtained a permit from the DNR)
So I took several pics up close in the mud
According to what I have seen on the internet the tracks have all the characteristics of a mature cougar
more round than a dog track, the hind leg pads show a definite longer inside toe, the tracks were falling atop each other as well
So with the 45 pound grand son visiting here we took appropriate 3 1/2 inch 12 GA buckshot precautions and put out a game cam
nothing on the game cam yet (except deer of course)---last year we saw lots of tracks inside the pole barn (it looked like it was squeezing under a sliding door that has about 15" of open space under it -perhaps the unoccupied pole barn gave it a nice dry den -- no one has lived here for about 20 years -- just occasional week- ends
anyway here are the pics:
that is a 6 inch Hanson square for reference
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/007_zps034353c8.jpg)[/URL][/img]
Here is the length of stride referenced to a 4 foot level
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/004_zps3ed0e596.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/004_zps3ed0e596.jpg.html)
this is not too easy to see in th epic but it is one print on top of another
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/006_zps44c064bc.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/006_zps44c064bc.jpg.html)
Wonderful progress. That looks like one big cat!
Lots of folks have seen cougars around here -- officially the DNR says there aren't any
still waiting to get him (or her) on the game cam...........
I can see why the DNR does not recognize them -- if they do they have to put policies and procedures in place for dealing with them. If the population is small then it could create a waterfall affect of regulations/laws for a small population of animals.
Do you all have a specific timeframe for moving in? Also, do you have your offgrid plans solidified yet? Your house and land look great.
We still hope to have our occupancy sign off by end of Sept -- we may not have everything done though
solar is on hold 'til spring I think -- it is a very big project and we have to have a decent roof over our heads first
right now we are 24-7 getting the house done
we do take time to enjoy the evenings -- the stars are very bright and it cools off nicely
September update (almost exactly one year from breaking ground last Sept)
Drywall is nearly complete upstairs
plumbing nearly done
paint, flooring, cabinets and trim left
We may start the paint upstairs this weekend
I have lots of pictures that I'll post later today if I get time
Did you get your occupancy permit?
No occupancy permit yet
we need the wiring and pumbing complete (at least a working sink toilet and shower --I think heat maybe too :-\
another 3 weeks I think
Quote from: Windpower on September 27, 2013, 01:42:55 PM
--I think heat maybe too :-\
another 3 weeks I think
Here the place has to be ready to occupy; completed in all respects. I have seen small exceptions made for something like the floor tile. The homeowner was wanting to tile the entire house and had a delay. The city gave him the certificate without the floor being finished. It was a concrete slab.
Here it depends on the inspector
I am not sure how to take this guy yet ---- I think he will cut some slack but then he was psycho about window room light in one bedroom ???
anyway we continue to soldier on
off to home depot and lumber liquidators this morning
Quote from: Windpower on September 27, 2013, 01:42:55 PM
No occupancy permit yet
we need the wiring and pumbing complete (at least a working sink toilet and shower --I think heat maybe too :-\
another 3 weeks I think
Pretty much the same here. Working sink, toilet and shower. BTW it has to be a shower. It can be a bath tub shower combo of course but it has to have a working shower. Our new neighbor three miles away just found that out. I think up here you can be ten fifteen miles away and still be a neighbor up here. ;) Electrical has to have J boxes covered or plated as well as outlets and switches.
We are planing to make a real run for that as well. We really do no want to have to skirt and fight the snow in the fifthwheel and in the new construction as well. Would like to be in there for the winter doing the finish work and the this and that.
Finally got some pics (and a wee bit of time to post them)
first some pics of grandson hanging out -- a 6 yo doing what 6 yo's do
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/018_zpsdba5ced1.jpg)[/URL][/img]
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/030_zpsbbf953e2.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/030_zpsbbf953e2.jpg.html)
visited a cave
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/021_zpsb2ae8af0.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/021_zpsb2ae8af0.jpg.html)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/069_zps9b4f0f02.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/069_zps9b4f0f02.jpg.html)
drywall going in Note semi-circle window in garage, too)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/046_zps5a570d2c.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/046_zps5a570d2c.jpg.html)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/036_zps028c564a.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/036_zps028c564a.jpg.html)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/045_zpse2149fca.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/045_zpse2149fca.jpg.html)
master BR -- sure looks different with drywall
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/058_zpsbf1ed224.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/058_zpsbf1ed224.jpg.html)
light deficient BR closet
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/065_zps0d2cfbc1.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/065_zps0d2cfbc1.jpg.html)
more later, have to go to work
So is your lack of windows an egress situation or is the inspector telling you how your house has to look aesthetically?
No problem with egress no problem with ventilation (it has a 4' X 3' ) casement window
it is strictly a 'sunlight ' issue
d*
Just wonder what that inspector would do with an underground house. ???
Quote from: Patrick on October 01, 2013, 08:04:24 PM
So is your lack of windows an egress situation or is the inspector telling you how your house has to look aesthetically?
I have had an inspector tell me the very opposite I handed in a set of plans to our inspector two years ago. A real Arts and Craft - Craftsman Style home we designed. Today - I still love that plan (We never built it after it was engineered and drawn.) $3,000 down the [toilet]. It was just too expensive to build.
The inspector red lined the windows in the bedrooms big red X over each one. They were double hung egress windows. He wrote we had to change them to sliders. I went in to orbit with him - his stand was it was so a fireman could get through them with an air pack. (I could see his concern.) However building it on the ranch as we would be. And being so the closest organized fire district is an hour away and they cannot even come up here............ Further I doubt we would / will ever have an organized fire district up here with a hand full of families and at best two hundred people on the week ends around the forth of July. We might have fifty full time people and they are scattered more than a hundred square miles. There are no air packs I doubt there would ever be any air packs. So I asked him per code show me where I have to use sliders. He said something like that was my job to research it. He wanted sliders. I demanded he show me the code in Elmore County, State of Idaho or IRC I have too use sliders. And they look like crap in that type home. He would not back down but kept using phrases like - I want you to do this. I don't care how it looks it is how it should be.
The the inspector would come back to the slider issue every time I would see him around the country or in the Planing and Zone office zoning office he would come back the window issue. Latter he got fired or quit before he got fired jury is still out on that one. We had another plan engineered and are building it now and it has single hung bedroom windows the new inspector never has said a word......
The IRC is specific with rules on that. I know WI does there own thing and may differ.....
IRC R303.1 Habitable rooms.
All habitable rooms shall have an aggregate glazing area of not less than 8 percent of the floor area of such rooms. Natural ventilation shall be through windows, doors, louvers or other approved openings to the outdoor air. Such openings shall be provided with ready access or shall otherwise be readily controllable by the building occupants. The minimum openable area to the outdoors shall be 4 percent of the floor area being ventilated.
http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2012/icod_irc_2012_3_par081.htm
There are exceptions listed as well
So then his 3x4 window should be good for 150 sq. ft. room? I dont know about everyone else but I only use the bedroom to sleep and the darker the better .I think me and this guy would not get along.
room darkening shades
rough in plumbing is done (including the rough in for the - maybe someday- future apartment)
So we are "waiting for the 'inspector' or someone like him" (-- any Firesign Theatre fans here ;D
A little 'theater of the absurd' seems apropos when dealing with building inspectors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I2PjLna4C0
but I digress......
anyway the tile is going in upstairs in the laundry and bath
we have ordered the flooring (6500 pounds of bamboo hardwood) but haven't picked it up yet since they want it to acclimate for a week in 70 degrees of heated (or cooled I guess) space to eliminate warping or expansion or shrinkage etc and the upstairs furnace is not hooked up and working.....but the propane hook up is coming today too
a busy day and since the sun is coming up I am 'burning daylight'
more later..........
Lots of milestones this week so far
Sunday we picked up the 6400 pounds of bamboo flooring --- that was a job to unload but I did have a neighbor to help
All the drywall is mudded and ready for paint
Upstairs is nearly painted (all by my hardworking wife)
the wood-stove is operational and warming up the downstairs quite nicely during our brisk fall weather (the valleys got frost a couple nights and ago we were in the mid 30's)
Anyway the stove is drying out the drywall mud ---
New propane tank hooked up and operational
the second floor furnace is working (via a jury rigged extension cord ::) ) but heat none the less
I got the water heater hooked up and running yesterday
last night we were really looking forward to a nice hot shower
but guess what-- the water coming into the shower was only slightly warm even with the water heater turned up near its maximum temp-- no adjustment of the Kohler 'rite temp' mixer made any difference ???
I even read the directions !!
I gave up finally and we ate a late dinner and no shower (since the health club was closed by then too
So this morning at 3:30 I woke up determined get the *$##^& shower working
turns out he downstairs shower does the same thing
!!!! two defective mixers ?!?!? ??? ???
At this point I was thinking I hooked up the water heater wrong somehow
Then I saw it --- the plumbers that were here to 'help' get the water lines working, instead of capping the stub-outs for the first floor vanity they coupled the hot and cold stub-outs together --- this equalized the hot and cold line pressure so that no hot water would mix in the shower valve
d* d*
thanks guys
thanks alot
so I installed shut off valves on the hot and cold stub outs for the downstairs vanity ( like they should have done) and viola the showers work -- man is that going to feel good this morning
Next I am going to learn how to do hardwood flooring
Oh I almost forgot -- we took delivery of the custom cabinets Monday -- they look beautiful even just sitting in the garage
Sounds like you are nearing the home stretch. ;)
There does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel (hope it isn't the headlight of the on-coming train)
We may be able to 'camp out inside the house this weekend
I am going to jury rig a kitchen sink (since ours is on back order)
the inspector hinted that he might give us a sign off with a kitchen sink
Temporary kitchen sink is working
I has been really nice for cleaning the paint sprayer since it has been in the 20's every night with highs in the low 40's during the day
We fininshed the interior painting yesterday ! thanks in large part to my wife the painting maniac
(I think the total was 30 gallons primer and 22 gallons of finish coat) most sprayed on with the Graco sprayer but a lot applied the old fashioned way with brush and roller
it looks great
doors delivered yesterday
after this brief paint delay I will be back at the flooring today
good thing the wood stove is working downstairs since the downstairs furnace is still in-op (heck it is still sitting in the garage)
The furnace guy showed up for a couple hours tues and hooked the gas line into the new clothes dryer --- but did not have the vent pipe --- needed to go back to the shop (isn't vent pipe a normal thing to have for a dryer hookup ?!)
maybe he'll show up today ::)
Sunday morning, sunny and beautiful
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/003_zps6838cc38.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/003_zps6838cc38.jpg.html)
We have finished the dry wall priming and painting
(we joke that we would get the downstairs primed 'if it kilz us') --it didn't (quite)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/015_zps4c8d9702.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/015_zps4c8d9702.jpg.html)
We have started on the flooring -- we like it but it is slow to put down -- (OK I am slow)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/006_zps22cbb2ae.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/006_zps22cbb2ae.jpg.html)
Our venerable wood stove has been keeping the house warm (for a while it was heating the whole house but now we have the upstairs furnace operational but not complete
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/019_zpsfa04acd7.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/019_zpsfa04acd7.jpg.html)
The HVAC guys finally completed the installation of the downstairs furnace yesterday
not a moment too soon either as it was down to 12 degrees F last night
also we have fully functioning bathroom now -- (well the door isn't on ...)
electricians should be here this week to finish the power downstairs....it will be nice to get rid of the 5 or 6 extension cords and multiple power strips
we are doing a Green Acres "You can't plug in a 2 with a 6" re-creation here
We can't plug in the microwave with the toaster oven....
I should get some pics .....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL5z3UXcMK8
AHH Green Acres back when TV seemed to be a heck of a lot more entertaining - well that was if you had enough power to run the TV at the time. As you know it is all based on sevens. A six and a one - six being the small black and white TV and the one the can opener. ;) Thanks for the morning lift... [cool]
By the way we went through a Green Acres moment when we moved the big fifthwheel down to the valley to get it repaired. It was the telephone, grab the phone go over to the drop - check for messages - make the call unhook the phone. One day I got sidetracked and forgot the phone. A driving rain and snow storm hit - soaked the phone. When I found it. It sort of sounded like an aquarium pump and bubbler.....
OK, it isn't pretty, but it works (as long as you don't forget and start the microwave with the toaster oven -- they both must be 7's)
Opening day deer season
in a word cold
12 degrees and 20 mph wind -- wind chill minus 6
I still have my tags .....
Update:
This morning it 'warmed up', the was temp was 4 degrees, wind chill only minus 3
I was just about ready to come in and warm up when a spike horn buck about 120 pounds walked by -- should be good eating
pics later after breakfast and check in
The last couple months have been challenging
I started the bamboo flooring and it is almost done
We are getting the tile finished this week (hopefully)
The new appliances are supposed to be delivered today -- I just barely got the plumbing ready for the dishwasher and ice maker last night
It will be nice to have a real kitchen after 7 months without one
maybe I will have time to post some pics later
We are nearing completion.
A bit of trim, a couple doors, a couple sinks and we are ready for the movers
The floor is done -- this was the last room
(//URL=https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/134_zps7365a201.jpg.html%5Dhttp://%5BIMG%5Dhttps://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/134_zps7365a201.jpg)[/URL]][/img]
Foyer and stairs (that is the kitchen in the back of the pic)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/131_zpsfad99d5e.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/131_zpsfad99d5e.jpg.html)
We have been using the wood stove more since the last propane was $3.88/ gallon (!!)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/128_zpsefd9c138.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/128_zpsefd9c138.jpg.html)
The kitchen for our first Christmas
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/010_zps3afb67e2.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/010_zps3afb67e2.jpg.html)
Our "custom sink'
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/fde7ddf3-b92c-4759-aaad-e3fec83a99c7_zpsb70111be.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/fde7ddf3-b92c-4759-aaad-e3fec83a99c7_zpsb70111be.jpg.html)
Here is the kitchen with a few cabinets ( and another 'custom sink')
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_0274_zps137fdbdf.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/IMG_0274_zps137fdbdf.jpg.html)
This was a pain in the neck. The drain for the upstairs furnace froze (it was minus 24) and overflowed -- I now have heat tape on it
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/038_zps0c6712fa.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/038_zps0c6712fa.jpg.html)
the laundry is done
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/012_zps7323dd85.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/012_zps7323dd85.jpg.html)
The kitchen is almost done. the vent hood and one cabinet to go.
The kitchen today:
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_0302_zps3dfccfa7.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/IMG_0302_zps3dfccfa7.jpg.html)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_0310_zps5a1cacaa.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/IMG_0310_zps5a1cacaa.jpg.html)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_0298-Copy_zps37ee7861.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/IMG_0298-Copy_zps37ee7861.jpg.html)
That's looking real nice.
Happy homemaker :) :) :)
Thank you, Don
we are quite happy with it
Minus 12 this morning and I am reluctant to go outside for more wood for the stove --thank goodness for propane (even at $3.88 a gallon) --- next winter I will have the wood supply better organized (I hope)
Wow looks great! I really love your stairs and newel post! Do you mind if I ask how did you attach them to the stair treads? We are getting close to installing finished stairs, and most of the videos show round posts with dowels on them.
Looks great - I have to chuckle your kitchen cabinets look a lot like the ones Ellen picked out. ;)
Floors turned out very well.
Enjoy, please keep us updated.
MW
the square balusters have round ends on them -- they drilled holes into the treads (using a jig) and glued them in place
the Newel post goes through the tread with a square hole and is bolted into the floor joist below
Rick
Thanks, the cabinets are custom built locally (they were cheaper and better than big box off-the-shelf ones) Tam did the design (maybe it is a quilt/sewing thing ;)
It is good to be retiring from the flooring bizz
Nice job, Looks great.
Thanks, NLO
yesterday we got a bit more trim and kitchen cabinets done
still need toe kicks and knobs
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_0312_zps7df34506.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/IMG_0312_zps7df34506.jpg.html)
(https://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/Crockette/IMG_0315_zps71547a95.jpg) (https://s55.photobucket.com/user/Crockette/media/IMG_0315_zps71547a95.jpg.html)
I really enjoy following your build!....looks great!
thanks, astidham, glad you are enjoying the build
it has been a journey
we looked at each other yesterday after noticing that one step was done wrong (again!) and
I said "you know I am getting tired of being patient"
she said "that is exactly what I was thinking"
but we are getting close -- it is interesting when contractors arrive that haven't been here for a month or two -- they are very complimentary about the build and the progress
I guess when you are living with it everyday it just sort of blends in
tomorrow we may get the rest of the trim done and we can call the movers and get our stuff that has been in storage since last July
*fingers crossed*
We have a date
The movers are scheduled to bring our long-in-storage furniture and stuff next Tuesday
yesterday we measured some spaces for furniture everything is looking good
except----
we did plan the master bedroom around our furniture
but when we looked at it yesterday we discovered that while the bed and headboard will fit, the open door will come within inches of the bed side table on one side and covered the trim on the walk in closet door on the other side. This was because the carpenters moved entrance doorway over about a foot (I did not catch this until it after it was wired and dry walled d* d* )
ETA
I just remembered another factor that was changed by the inspector -- I had originally planned a 2' 8" entrance door -- he said it had to be a 3'0' door this cost another 4 inches of clearance for the side tables -- oh well
after a long discussion we came to the conclusion that we really don't like the bed anyway and it takes up too much space (leaving only a cramped space at the end of the bed for a couple chairs and there is no under the bed storage
so we went shopping and found just what we wanted with 6 under bed storage drawers and a well laid out headboard with a few shelves that are just right for our radio alarm and a few books -- perfect, and it is in quarter sawn oak too, that fits in with the rest of our furniture plans
and we now have plenty of room for a couple chairs and a small table near the windows which is what we had planned about 4 or 5 versions of floor plans earlier
So glad to hear we are not the only ones with misplaced doors and clearances. ;)
Wish we were there to share in the excitement.
Rick
I guess there are no perfect houses, even when you try to plan everything out, things change or go out of your control ....
but it is exciting and we are enjoying the trip
it will be nice to take some time off and enjoy a 'normal' life again
Quote from: Windpower on February 21, 2014, 07:42:38 AM
Rick
I guess there are no perfect houses, even when you try to plan everything out, things change or go out of your control ....
but it is exciting and we are enjoying the trip
it will be nice to take some time off and enjoy a 'normal' life again
Being homeless for a couple years now. So looking forward to ??? Gee I don't know - seems almost natural......
I / we have caught a couple places where you wonder why you put the light switch there - why didn't you put one there? Why was there not an outlet put there? Most of those have been changed do to our leaving the bottom bare for wainscot. I do wish now we would have changed the 'center' of the room for a couple ceiling fans.
Hope the weather gets better for your move in date.
single digit temps for move day, but no snow storms so they will likely be able to climb the hill
we are finding quite a lot of things to get done before the furniture arrives
cleaning and cleaning and more cleaning
and emptying a few rooms of tools and debris too (I guess we should get the power tools and tool cart out of the dining room .....)
will it ever end ?
We got moved in on Tuesday
long cold day --they finished up about 9:00 PM after trouble with the truck, getting here at 3:30 pm
it is very nice to have furniture for a change
the house is not 100% yet but hopefully it will be by month end.
Then we can start on the outside -- landscaping, putting in the garden, pond, shop, solar panels, tearing down the old garage, putting up a wood shed....
I have been reading a lot lately about permaculture: Sepp Holzer and Ben Falk
this book is great IMO.
Ben Falk took a 10 acre Vermont farmette that was severly abused by over grazing and abandonment and has created a viable permaculture homestead. Lots of practical hands on experience. He is even growing rice !
http://www.amazon.com/The-Resilient-Farm-Homestead-Permaculture/dp/1603584447/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393688443&sr=8-1&keywords=Ben+Falk