I guess it's been awhile since I've posted. Things have gotten busy and a lot of it doesn't show up well in pictures. Most of the work has been getting the roof and mechanical parts done. I think I'll just section out updates by job.
PLUMBING: Brian and the crew from "The Plumbing Guys" in Anacortes efficiently completed the rough in. There are a couple of hose bibs that still need to be installed, but that only takes a few minutes and they required blocking from the framers. I've been very pleased with the plumbers and am happy I didn't try to tackle it myself. I EVEN HAVE RUNNING WATER. Yep. The city came out, put the meter in, the plumbers connected it and filled the tub with water. If I need water right now I can just hook a short hose to the laundry hookup and turn the valve. I didn't know this before but they fill the tub so that it settles. I guess some tubs have problems of not being seated or settled, and after the tiling is done and the new owner hops in the weight of the owner plus water causes the tub to flex setttle, etc thus cracking grout, caulk, etc.
HVAC: Handy's from Mount Vernon has been handling this part. They let me do the work I want to do, which right now isn't much. They ran the gas line for the combi-boiler, and set up one of the fresh air vents for an example, so that I could do the rest. They also provided me with materials and a bit of guidance for the exhaust vents. They are installing the combi boiler exhaust and hanging the Daikin ductless mini splits we are using to heat/cool the upper floor. They ran the refrigerant lines for the mini splits while I took care of running the electrical for them and the drip lines. Next up for is to install the heat pump once siding completes and to install the combi boiler after drywall.
ELECTRICAL: This is all me. I've pulled over 3000 feet of wire. I sorta stopped keeping track after that. Luckily I started thinking about this part of the project long ago and had most of the circuits and code requirements worked out. I did change a few things on the fly but having a plan going in really helped. 85% of the wiring is done. I still need to do the garage and clean up a few loose ends here and there. I mounted the meter tonight and am really close to getting the panel set. I met with my Solar people yesterday and wanted to make sure I had their electrical requirements squared away prior to get anything too solidly in place. More on Solar and electrical later.
ROOFING/SIDING: Most of the roof is on. Enough to keep me dry. The order from the roofing supplier was missing some of the hip pieces and they were short a couple of sheets for the front. The materials should arrive in the next week and it's probably only 1/2 day of work for the crew. The rest of the windows have been installed, and I have exterior doors. The framers have started to prep for siding and are working on getting the belly band and the water table boards in place. Since I used ICFs I had an issue at ground level most builders don't encounter. When siding ends on most buildings there is concrete from the foundation. With an insulated foundation I don't have this, it would just be foam. A lot of information out there recommends parging with a cement product. To be honest I think this looks horrible. I tried an 8 foot section and took it down. But then there is the issue of what can you have that can be in contact with the ground. Azek has a product that I think is going to work. It's a Trimboard made of PVC, thus it won't rot. That is what the framers are using around the house at ground level and it will be painted to match the house.
Anyways I've rambled enough and there are probably more details to divulge. I'll probably do a post later about the electrical items and the choices we made, and hopefully a separate post on our heating and cooling choices.
Here come the pics!!!
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| Bathtub. You can kinda see the water in it. I put the cardboard back so I wouldn't bang it while installing the fan/and lights |
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| Electrical panel,w ith some wire waiting. I should get this cleaned up this weekend |
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| Mechanical side of the house. In order. Gas line, hose bib, electric meter, heat pump refrigerant lines. Belly band and water table are up on this side too. |
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| front view. Windows are in, junk pile is growing, and a bunch of siding material |
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| Kitchen island plumbing |
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| Main water shutoff |
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| General pic of electrical, plumbing, hvac installs |
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| Back side showing the roof as you really can't see it from the street. |
