Pushed by Unwelcome Visitor

Two (2) days before Halloween, Zelda again entertained an unwelcome visitor. This time, the air conditioning line from the future, upstairs unit (being installed in the attic) was stolen. Appears that the visitors knew when no one was at the house and walked in, unplugged the motion detector lights and proceeded to rip out the lines causing additional damage to the ducting. This all appears to have happened on Sunday night.

Brent was at Zelda Monday evening and noticed that the doors to the storage shed appeared to be out of whack. Upon closer inspection, the hasp had been broken loose and placed back into position to appear to be locked. At 9:00 pm and realizing he could not repair the hasp all the tools and materials were emptied out of the storage building and brought back to the rent house. This took about two (2) hours to load and haul, but thankfully the thiefs had decided to return later and take the tools. No tools were stolen.

The visitors have pushed us to completely close up the house with the installation of the final doors and windows. We are also have a monitored alarm system installed. Sure hope the unwanted thiefs are found/identifed as we will purse their arrest.

Reframing and insulating the subfloor

The rough-in plumbing did pass on Monday, October 22nd. We are still waiting, for the hvac contractor to finish hanging the ducting exhaust in the floors before the subflooring is laid. Brent has contacted him several times, and he did show up and work a couple of hours last week, but did not finish. He lacks only a few hours.

We did purchase all the insulation for the walls and flooring on the first floor. Timing was right again as Lowes's had R-19 insulation on sale at 25% off. It makes for a big bill, but in the long run it does save money. Brent did install the 6 mil plastic sheeting for the vapor barrier in the crawl space for the majority of the house. He has one (1) room and a few touch-up spots to finish. Also, he was able to insulate below the floor of the pantry and lanudry room. He is stapeling chicken wire below the floor joists to hold the insulation in place.

On the back side of the house, it was discovered that part of the walls supports were not touching the base plate. Brent decided that the entire back should be removed inspected and reframed. We hired our roofing contractors to perform the work, which was to remove the existing aluminum siding, original siding and then reframe and install OSB and house wrap. We are also having them install a couple of new windows and a set of french doors which will open onto the patio. We are going to install the cement board siding over the OSB which will last longer and replicate the original siding.

Inspection Day

Thursday, October 18th is a building code inspection day for Zelda. On the agenda was the first floor joists, the rough-in plumbing and the rough-in hvac. The inspection of the floor joists passed and the installation of the sheeting on the ground and the subfloor decking can begin.

The rough-in plumbing did not pass as there were a couple of leaks found. The system had been pressurized but looks like there were some leaks in the drains. This will not be a hill for a stepper.

The hvac contractor did not show up to attach the ducting to the floor joists so, the rough-in hvac did not pass.

Lots of Framing

On Monday night, Brent worked alittle later than normal as he was "in the zone" putting up the ceiling joists for the downstairs bathroom. He likes to quit working at night around 9:00 pm so he will not disturb the neighbors with the sound of power tools and air compressors. But he finished his cutting earlier and the remainder of the night dealt with the drill and joist hangers at an elevation of about ten (10) feet.

The old bathroom had been an add-on within the original house floorplan, so there are a few items, such as putting in a few more studs and a header over the doorway to bring the construction up to the required code. Not sure if the inspector would classify as a "grandfather" issue, but Brent wants to ensure the work is up to code regardless.

The plumbing work continues with a small amount accomplished each day as the inspection looms overhead on Thursday. Brent plans on doing a few more framing tasks on Tuesday night and will focus more on site clean-up on Wednesday night. He will be on vacation next week from his regular job and will install all the first floor subflooring such that the tearing down of the ceilings can start. Exposing the second story floor joists is required so that the floors can be stiffened prior to the electrical contractor running wiring.

Attached are pictures of the ceiling joists in the downstairs bath as well as, the removal of one of two kitchen windows ready for the outside siding and the framing of the expanded wall for the upstairs bathroom to accomidate the clawfoot tub.

Three Months at Zelda

Another weekend has come and gone and the work at Zelda continues to progress forward. The plumbing work (rough-in) is very close to being ready for an inspection on Wednesday, October 17th. The roofing is complete and the floor joists for the first floor are 98% complete. The two (2) existing windows in the kitchen area were removed, framed and boarded up to allow the siding to be installed. The HVAC contractor should be back at site on Monday to hang all the ducting off the floor joists and make necessary repairs to the ducting.

We are still undecided on brand, type and style of new windows to install. We did come to a decision of not replacing all the existing windows right now but this will be performed over time and after we are in the house. The enlargement of the upstairs bathroom has been framed to accomidate the clawfoot tub. The previous bathroom had a shower but no bathtub.

Let's hope the inspection this week on the plumbing is a success as well as the approval of the floor joists so that the subfloor sheeting can be installed. The termite and pest spraying is schedule for Tuesday, October 16th.

We have now reached the 90 day or three (3) time period since we began the remodeling process. We have had alot of lessons learned and met alot of good people during this short process. We will contact Lowes and move the kitchen cabinet delivery back to December 1st.

Wall is Framed

The wall between the pantry and laundry room has now been framed. Also both of the entrances from the kitchen to each room have also been framed. The pantry door has been sized for a 34" wide door and the opening to the pantry will be able to accomidate up to a 36" wide door, if we choose to install a door. I don't expect us to install a door, but after living in the space, we may decide to install a door. The current vision (which changes daily) is for the door(s) to have glass, but not clear. Either a slight frosted or distorted view, that will allow light but not a clear view.

The plumbing is progressing but typically there are always a few delays. Brent talked with the contractor on Tuesday and expects to finish by Friday but promises no later than next week to have the inspection. This plumbing contractor is working out very well, as he contacts us on a regular basis to make sure he is not impeding progress. He currently is not, but once the floor joists are in, then that would be a different story. The plumbing has been connected to the sewer and the water connection soon will be installed.

Brent had a great weekend in Gatlinburg and Knoxville, as the Vols played their best game of the year. He did do some work at the Chalet, including installing a mailbox. No bears were spotted, but he did see a group of wild turkies on the road leading to the Chalet.

"Bailing Out" in a Drought

The work continued last night as the dividing wall between the pantry and laundry room is nearly complete. The issue of running out of nails and the debate to stop or continue and make a late night run to Lowes was resolved with a decision to knock off around 8:00 pm and look forward to a weekend in Gatlinburg and a Vol football game. Finished framing the doorway between the kitchen and pantry and the outline of the doorway from the laundry room to the kitchen is drawn on the floor. The exterior doorway to the laundry room had to be moved six inches to line up with the new doorway. The main reason it was moved was because on the load bearing wall, two (2) existing 4x4 matched up perfectly to provide support for the pantry doorway but this meant moving the existing exterior door. Only two (2) more studs need to been installed to complete the 10 ten foot diving wall between the pantry and laundry room.

Today marks the 80th day since work began on the house. During this time period we have been in a drought in Kings Mountain, and the crew from Holly Springs has hit the wall and decided to bail out. Meatball dinners are on the menu this weekend.

"Weak-End" Work

Over the weekend, we celebrated Lynn's birthday and her parents arrived from bayou land. We have installed the tub in the masterbath and the plumbing work continues. Inital indication was that the plumbing inspection would be done on October 3rd, but work has not progress as quickly as planned and the inspection will be delayed about one week.

The roofing was completed on Saturday, September 29th and once all the floor joists are in and have been inspected, the subfloor can be installed and the electrical work can begin.

Looks like a new tradition has started for family female visitors that view Zelda. For some reason, presenting a clothed full moon is popular as demonstrated by Lynn's mom.