At Home In The Woods

[Obed]

This evening I glued on the remaining PVC pipe to one of the sleeves in the waterline trench.

Then I worked on the pile of brick and concrete debris below the culvert. I didn't like having this pile of ugly debris sitting right beside the driveway. So I tossed the bricks downhill a bit into the gulley for rip-rap. The broken bricks will still be visible from the driveway but will not be as noticable as before. I plan to dump rocks from the waterline trench where the pile of brick debris was. The natural rocks used as rip-rap aren't as ugly as the brick and concrete debris.

I just found out that the county wants to inspect our driveway before they will give us an occupancy permit for the house. The beaurocracy never seems to end. I shouldn't complain because some areas like the north east and California have it much worse than we do. Anyway, I wasn't expecting a driveway inspection. Our driveway needs some work. I haven't maintained it much at all since it was installed. The waterbars across the driveway have filled themselves in and aren't moving water across the drive like they need to. We are getting some washing along the uphill side of the driveway because the water isn't getting diverted to the other side of the driveway. I knew I needed to do some maintenance but was postponing that until we get into the house. However, it looks like the driveway maintenance will need to happen sooner than later.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Really smart move on the dual water lines Obed...you are one clever builder...hang in there..

I agree. The little things you are doing now will make life much easier down the road if ever needed.

Chris

 

[Obed]

This morning the correct meter panel got installed at the pedestal. The state electrical inspector passed the electrical and so did the county inspector.

This evening I backfilled the electrical trench at the pedestal. Tomorrow the county electric utility is supposed to install the power meter at the panel.

The well guy says he needs our electrician to install a breaker and run a #8 wire in the basement to where the water pressure tank will reside before the well guy comes to install the waterline from the well to the house and the pressure tank in the basement. The electrician says the well guy should run the wire from the panel to the pressure tank.

My wife is getting stressed dealing with the electrician. He's not good at returning calls. Next week the porch concrete work is supposed to start. Before the front porch concrete can be poured, I need to fill in the waterline trench. Before I can fill in the trench, the waterline and water pressure tank need to be installed by the well guy. Before the well guy can do his work, the electrician needs to run a wire for the well. The electrician doesn't want to work on the well electrical until the H&A guy is on site so the electrician can also provide a breaker for the H&A unit at the same time.

 

[Obed]

The trim carpenter installed some 2x4's around the garage doors in preparation for when we hang the doors. Check what he did to the 2x4's around the doors!

He sanded them with palm sander and used a router to put a design on the outside corner of the 2x4's. The trim guy has made a good first impression!

 

[tony Cecil]

Aren`t ou using the well right now, for the trailer? I appreciate your frustration....Tony

 

[mikefromnh]

The trim carpenter installed some 2x4's around the garage doors in preparation for when we hang the doors. Check what he did to the 2x4's around the doors!

He sanded them with palm sander and used a router to put a design on the outside corner of the 2x4's. The trim guy has made a good first impression!

I have not seen this detail before, Looks good. I take it the door track will be mounted directly to the 2x4? Would apprecate more pics when door is done -- might just use this on the my next house!

 

[brin]

Obed, That detail on the 2x looks great...Our trim carpenter did the same thing on our 2X6 pressure treated rails for our decks and porches...it really makes a difference as opposed to just a plain board...You might want to have him do the same to your deck and porch rails on the edges of the boards..

 

[eepete]

My plumber said he just gets the septic drain pipe to the edge of the house. My septic guys said he just puts in the tank, plumber does all the 4" PVC from the house. I ended up doing the 4" pipe from the house to the septic, called for the inspection, etc. Told everyone I know the story, no one I know has hired either of them for any work since.

Seems like whenever the trades intersect there is a boundary dispute. Part of the homeowner is a general contractor role is to break the log jam and keep it all going. Run a rope or tape measure to get the amount of #8 you need, run it, buy a breaker that's the same brand as what's in your box, and keep things on schedule. Ask your well guy if he wants an 8-2 or 8-3 wire. If you think you might have water conditioning there, I'd also run a 14-2 w ground for a 120V outlet for that stuff too. You could also just run to the closest existing outlet since you're tight on breaker space. Be sure to check the bill from the electrician- he might just count the breakers and bill from there forgetting that he lost an opportunity to make a buck and keep you happy.

Building a house is like standing in the corner and biting a hole in your lower lip while tradespeople come over and kick you in the face. But then your face heals and you get to live in a cool house that's done right.

Pete

 

[jayste]

My plumber said he just gets the septic drain pipe to the edge of the house. My septic guys said he just puts in the tank, plumber does all the 4" PVC from the house. I ended up doing the 4" pipe from the house to the septic, called for the inspection, etc. Told everyone I know the story, no one I know has hired either of them for any work since.

Seems like whenever the trades intersect there is a boundary dispute. Part of the homeowner is a general contractor role is to break the log jam and keep it all going. Run a rope or tape measure to get the amount of #8 you need, run it, buy a breaker that's the same brand as what's in your box, and keep things on schedule. Ask your well guy if he wants an 8-2 or 8-3 wire. If you think you might have water conditioning there, I'd also run a 14-2 w ground for a 120V outlet for that stuff too. You could also just run to the closest existing outlet since you're tight on breaker space. Be sure to check the bill from the electrician- he might just count the breakers and bill from there forgetting that he lost an opportunity to make a buck and keep you happy.

Building a house is like standing in the corner and biting a hole in your lower lip while tradespeople come over and kick you in the face. But then your face heals and you get to live in a cool house that's done right.

Pete

Kindly put this could be called a "Trades People Urinating Competition"!

 

[radioman]

I agree with eepete. If no one wants to deal with the work themselves without citing reasons for liability, then do it yourself just for sake of sanity and keep things moving along. I agree the electrician should be doing the work since its electrical and well guy might do something wrong as per your local code since he is not certified in electrical work.