Connections

Drilling in the water line

The day came when the house needed to be connected to the outside world.

Sunday Progress Update

Mechanical Room takes shape

The past week was mostly about Heating and Ventilating.
The framing crew did a fair amount of misc tasks, but hard to take a photo of.

Overheard on the Jobsite

G1: "So what I don't understand is why Narcissists like to riot on May Day."

G2: "Anarchists.  I think you mean Anarchists."

Ladder Pile

This is not even all of the ladders currently involved.

Sunday Progress Update

We have a Fascia! 
(the boards that define the edge of the roof)

Observations from the Field:

Most of your clothes will quickly become 'project clothes'.

No Comment

Ahem

Air-sealing

The Roof AIr-barrier Sandwich, prior to cutting, folding, and taping

We are trying a fairly unique method for air-sealing this house.  If you are interested, details follow below.

Trash Enclosure

mmm...concrete

The trash enclosure was poured yesterday, and revealed today. 

Eventually gates will be added to hide our bins.  But for now, revel in the glorious board-formed concrete.

The south massing anchor

Roof Deck Drainage

Sweet looking sleepers

A roof deck over living space is always a complicated bit of design.  Here is our scenario.

The underlying structural decking is flat, since it was installed on floor trusses.

Since we want the roof to drain well, we needed to add some slope to the surface.

I carefully cut a lot of sloped 2x framing lumber ("sleepers") to create a sloped structure.

(Yes, I actually took this on - not sure why the framers didn't think it was in their scope...  #GCproblems)

All are nailed and screwed down to the structural floor.

Note that they all slope to one corner of the deck where the drain will be located.

3/4" plywood decking is cut to follow the new sloped surface.

3/4" T&G plywood cut to fit - dry run, prior to insulation

Then the cavities between the sleepers are filled with insulation.

A bead of adhesive is applied, and the decking is screwed down over the insulated sleepers.

Now when the roofers apply their roof membrane, it will drain all to the drain in one corner.

We are using a TPO membrane.

Atop the membrane will eventually be placed a finish surface of concrete pavers.  They are supported by leveling pedestals to make up for the sloped surface beneath them.

Until the roof membrane is installed, this roof deck is a source of worry - it is basically a swimming pool that we've waterproofed with a tarp, and we hope very much the tarp won't leak.  I've had to deploy and remove this tarp a dozen times now as I work on this.

Drainage slope works!  Hopefully the tarp keeps doing so as well.

Jobsite Dog

Cairo Posing Regally

Meet Cairo, the friendly jobsite dog. 

He greets passersby, and digs the same hole over and over again.

Carport / Entry Canopy Takes Shape

Friendly Carport Carpenters

The final major piece of framing is taking shape. 

The carport wraps the front of the house, creating a covered entryway.

Also visible is the LACK of roofing underlayment.  A piece is visible peeking over the ridge, where the roofers decided to call it quits.  It is now raining again.

Front Entry and Kitchen Windows

Entryway Canopy Cantilever