Moving, agin

Hah, early on in a pre-test a 4" expandable plug blew out. Luckily only about 10 gallons of water (clean) came out, large air slug. After that 70 lbs of weights were stacked on it and 30 lbs on the 2" plugs.

Things are moving forward to purchase the 38 acres behind us.

Came to agreeable terms, going through financing motions now.

I'll try and post some pics of the terrain later.

Excellent!

Couple pics

Well that didn't work out so good.
If anyone knows how to rotate these, have at it.

Nice

Thanks!

That's going to be a lot of leaves to rake up.

That looks awesome. I hope it all works out for the best.

Thanks, I'll post more pics.

Think I heard Rich volunteer to do yard work......

I'll do it like I do my yard, ride on the mower, suck up the leaves and dump the leaves out back.
I haven't done my own yet. The leaves on my oak trees have usually fallen most of the way by now but this season the trees are still pretty full.

Update on the property: Everything was moving forward until the scheduled day of closing, we had allowed for a extension if need be due to the holidays. Well anyway, 3 title insurance companies refused to write a policy on the property without a new survey. Seller refuses to survey unless they are going to subdivide. So back to working on the main house.

Now today, follow up with Dr. on MRI for elbow pain. Suspicions confirmed, partial tear in bicep tendon. Surgery will have me not using a hammer for 4 months so I continue to live with the discomfort for now. Hell, been like this since early summer last year.

2nd floor mostly drywalled now, running venting pipes for HRV system then can drywall staircase and on to first floor. Mudding has to be done yet.

Going to pick up a new air compressor probably today.
Guy has 15 scratch & dent Kobalts that came from the factory in KY.
I'm getting a 80 gallon V-4, high volume, single stage for $675. Normal price is $900+tax, not too bad a deal. He also has the 60 gallon single stage that retail for $500, selling for $350.

So some pictures:
Before sheet rock on 2nd floor added rock wool insulation to all walls, interior and exterior.

Master bedroom had a long(24') ceiling run so leveled roof trusses with furring strips every 16", screwed and glued drywall.

Ran Cat5 and RG6Q to all rooms and brought to central location under stair case.

2nd floor is basically all drywalled, mudded and primed. Here is one of the small bedrooms basically finished.
So far installed one of four energy efficient vent discharges. This one for kitchen range hood, others will vent out the gable end in the attic.
Need this one done before I blow cellulose into the wall cavities on first floor.
Recent pic from down the hill.


Next time I hire someone to draw up actual house prints including all utilities.
Spent a LOT of time altering/adding stuff as I go.

Edit: like recessed speakers in the kitchen for the wife, 6 channel surround sound wiring in the walls, more can lights in the living room etc.

Looking good !

Looks real good.
My wife designed and sealed the plans for our second floor addition. Too bad the builder did as he liked. He was short a few feet on the end and sides. I would say that cost him some money but he screwed us in other ways to get more money.

Any recommendations on tile roof underlayment? The options are:

1) one layer Boral SPS 40# (10 year warranty)
2) two layers Boral SPS 40# with a 7.3% price premium
3) one layer Sharkskin Synthetic (50 yr warranty) with a 3.7% price premium
4) one layer Sharkskin Synthetic w/Radiant Barrier with a 12.7% price premium

The Sharkskin warranty sounds good with 50 years but the fine print says otherwise.
Boral's warranty says they will cover labor for underlayment replacement.

I'm not planning to live here too long - leaning toward option 1.

I did standing seam metal roofing with synthetic underlayment.
No experience with tile, sorry.

No worries. Sounds like synthetic made sense.

Was told by a supplier once that 30lb felt is ok in northern climates but in hot southern the tar paper will start to bleed over time and drip.

A couple of years ago when I worked for the utility, I had a few small roofs done on our well pump houses (1500gpm). It would get so hot in there that even with 8'X8' automatic wall vents that the 30lb paper melted into the roof. I had to have the plywood taken off and replaced. This time we used the Ice Dam.

Diesel Dan wrote:

Was told by a supplier once that 30lb felt is ok in northern climates but in hot southern the tar paper will start to bleed over time and drip.

I believe it. It's a tough environment.

They are pushing 40# polymer modified fiberglass. It feels pretty tough. They say it's UL class A fire rated.

I'm amazed the 30# felt lasted 25 years with only two repairs needed. We milked it for all it's worth.

Cabinets going in.

Looking good!

More pics

Looking good.

Waiting on final electrical inspection.
Picture of the panel for living quarters.
Breaker with light on is a whole house surge breaker, something I've never used before but think is a good idea.
Wire coiled at top is feed for electric range if so desired, has LP currently.

Passed the final electrical inspection on first visit.

Tomorrow we are pouring a approach pad for the garage.
Doing in sections, this one is 13x36, 5-6" thick, #4 rebar 3' grid, pinned to main slab, 3500 psi.
Will be a learning experience, bunch of old rookies from work, daugher/boyfriend. Nice and cool so it won't get away on us.