Al B's House rework

[AlanB]

As with many things that are going on right now, I am rethinking a bit about how I am doing things (like the Windows I returned to HD this morning, that I bought last night) so what I think I will do is just put all this stuff in this one thread, then those that are interested, can see what is happening.

It will jump around a bunch, as that is the way the work is going. One thing seems to lead into another that also needs to be done.

I will try and get pictures of stuff, but often, when I am doing it, pictures are not my primary concern.

So, today's project was to get the rotten subfloor out, and the new subfloor in, in the bathroom.

Side projects involved, cutting off another water line and capping it, getting the dump trailer unstuck when the wife backed it into the "gooze".

Spread 5 tons of 2/3 rock in the drive.

Fixed flat tire on borrowed spray unit.

The DW worked a bit right behind the garage to get me some 2/3 rock in there so my feet would not get wet each time I walked out the door.

Scheduled to get my Propane system inspected and filled tomorrow.

Hung out on the phone waiting to speak with the Water department, never did.

Measured for new culvert.

I cut out a chunk of skin about 1/2" by 1/4" on the palm of my hand at the start of this adventure, and man, it is not healing up at this rate.

Some things are going great, and some things are just kind of dragging and hanging.

Favorite tool of the day was the 19.2 Craftsman Sawzall followed closely by the 1/4" impact driver.

The brand new Craftsman shopvac switch died, just got stuck and would not turn on again.

I was ready for a big argument, but the sears folks were great the wife said and gave her a new one. We emptied the old, BUT, man had I vacuumed up some junk.

So that is the DW operating HER tractor, you can tell it is hers because it is running at the moment. Now let that thing break and it will instantly become MY tractor

Pictures of bathroom floor a bit of before and after, and some of Hanna doing the Tractor work.

Next post will be the tractor work.

The electric company also showed up and put up my new street light near the house.

 

[AlanB]

Hanna on the tractor pics.

 

[AlanB]

On todays installment, we got some stuff done as well. Of course I left the camera on the counter at the new house, so no pictures tonight.

We filled in a big sunken spot in the drive with some 2/3 and then top dressed with crusher run.

I called the water department, and asked about an extension for the water box as I want to run my drive over that, my water meter also sits under water.... So the guy came right out and was very helpful, we lifted the box, and played around with it some, then decided we should go ahead and put a meter riser in, so we dug everything back out, raised the meter a foot I think then repositioned the box down on it. So now my meter is out of the water, and my box is about where I want it, we locked it in place with some 2/3 stone.

I then wanted to clear the thorns and debris away from my propane tank. The Gas Check folks were coming out today to inspect my system. So I am clearing the stuff away with the tractor, small tree's etc. leaves and such piled up on the side of the tank, being carefull not to hit the tank, I put the bucket down, looked to make sure that the gas line was on the other side of the tank, and as I was pulling back, the gas tank came with me............. OH CRAP! Turns out, they ran the gas line down the far side of the tank, then under it, and out across the concrete on the side I was working, so I moved the tank by pulling the gas line............... NOT COOL. The wife was pretty amused though that I had destroyed something, and it does put a special spin on it when I do it with the tractor.

So now I am debating what to do, the gas company is on it's way, my system is broke, I have to pay $100 for this inspection and I have an inop system.. Thinking honesty is the best policy I call them, and they are just, oh, no big deal, we are almost there, but they did not have any 1/2" in the truck. I volunteer to go get a roll of 1/2 and they say great, they have everything else. They show up, I have it dug clean etc. I have the tubing, they splice in and do the check. No extra charge and they are happy with everything. So my oooppps cost $17 cash, and provided some good entertainment for the wife to see me squirm.

Got the floor crack sealed in the basement.

Got the wall crack in the morter ground out and sealed with latex morter caulk.

Got the motion light on the back installed and working, just need to caulk it.

My buddy came over and helped dig around the basement windows.

Removed all the primestar junk off the house.

Hanna laid in the Hardy board for the tile and got it all joined and mortared in so they can start tiling in the morning. They also picked the sink unit out and think they found the tub unit she wants.

Cleaned the trash up in the basement.

I need to talk with the county about imporving my access, not sure if they will help with that or not, but figure it could not hurt to ask.

Tomorrow at lunch makes me the owner for 1 week.

We are moving along ok, wish it was faster, but that is life.

Still have some water seepage in the basement, may end up digging yet.

UGL drylock is on it's way tomorrow to start on the painting.

Picked up the copper plumbing supplies at Lowes tonight, just going back copper, wanted to go PEX, but there are a myriad of versions out there, heck, Lowes has two clamp types in one line..............

Picked up a genuine Sloan flush valve, for $3.30 marked DOWN from $65, I just could not pass that one up. My shop is going to have a NICE toilet

 

[EddieWalker]

Alan,

You're wearing me out just reading about everything you're doing. Share the secret, what type of coffee are you drinking? and how many gallons a day is normal for you? hahaha

Seriously, the extiement of a new home is unlike anything else. The hours go faster then you realize and I bet you're having the time of your life.

Eddie

 

[mudcat]

Alan,

You're wearing me out just reading about everything you're doing. Share the secret, what type of coffee are you drinking? and how many gallons a day is normal for you? hahaha

Eddie

Eddie, I was thinking the same thing.LOL
Alan B, Please don't forget your camera tomorrow. Got to have some pictures!

 

[rox]

Alan,

Did you take some vaction time from your job? You could not possibly have done all this and worked a paying job at the same time.

Can you even paint the basement walls if they are moist?
Hopefully you remember my story which I have shared a few times here on TBN about my neighbor who had a leak in the lateral to his house from the water main in the street. He didn't even know about it until the water company dug up numerous (mine included) lateral connections looking for the leak. They knew how much water their pipers were outputting but it never made it to the water meters, so they knew there was a leak somewhere. My neighbors sump pump ran 24/7 keeping that water out of his basement. As you tackle the water problems jsut keep this story in the back of your mind.

 

[AlanB]

Yes, I have taken vacation, but am going back to work today. I have been in a sprint to make a little headway.

I certainly cannot maintain this pace, burnout would be just around the corner, but while flush with new and exciting and different challenges, I am going pretty hard.

OK, here are some pictures.

This is the big trackhoe I can borrow.

We are laying harde board for the bathroom, then Tiles. Hanna got these at the closeout place for 50 cents each.

She told me yesterday I was putting in new windows. I think I will have her wait on the tile till I replace that window so I am not working over new tile.

I ground out the crack in the concrete, and filled dry parts with concrete crack sealer from quickcrete. I wire brushed off any remaining mold so I could start going with the UGL drylock. UGL drylock can go over damp, not wet areas, matter of fact in the summer when applied to new block, they will wet the block to slow down the block sucking in too much.

I do not have a main pipe water leak, we have been looking for that, I think I just have several problems most of which is they built the **** garage about a block lower then they should have.

Will add more text later, let me post some pictures.

 

[AlanB]

More pictures

 

[AlanB]

More Pictures
Thats me in 1881, I said nobody would believe I did anything because I was not in any pictures, and we all know the women do all the work

 

[AlanB]

My dozer guy showed up this morning, so progress is being made on that. Hopefully my diesel fuel shows up today as it was promised yesterday, the delivery guys lied to my salesman and told me they could not reach me. Thought it was odd that I could tell him where his delivery guys were and what they were doing at 2:30 yesterday, yet they said they had not spoken too me They promised it there today.

Called Window world again, and they will be out Tues to evaluate the window replacement. They do have that $180 any window.

I did get in my dehumidifier from Allergy buyers club, they had already shipped so rather then pay two shippings (here and back) I have it. It is one of those things that will eat me up that I spent an extra $100 to get this one then the one in Lowes. Not sure if I just missed the ball, (I looked) or it came in after or whatever. It has been working overnight, I wonder how much moisture it is pulling out.