4.30.2016

Kind of hard to tell from this picture, but this is the grading that Jim started working on last night - extending the upper driveway back closer to where the house is going to be.  We need to know where the driveway is going to go because soon we are going to have to run permanent electric and water lines in this area.

Jim continues to work on organization - he has brought 4 cabinets up so far from downstairs.

Then it was back up on the roof...

Getting close...

Just about done!

Jim had to design and figure out how to make some custom flashing to go up and over the peak of the roof.  He made this out of aluminum first to see how it would fit.

Shingles are all finished and Jim tried on the flashing - perfect fit first time!

Then he transferred the design and made it out of copper...

Installing the flashing on the peak...

Finishing up the last shingles!

A big thumbs up that this section is now DONE!

Of course, now there are 8 roof jacks to take off!

Poor Jim went up and down the roof so many times today!

Taking off the last roof jack...

End-of-the-day...these sections are all done and roof jacks off!  Giant accomplishment!

 

We are still loving our steps too...while Jim was making flashing, I walked up into the apartment and started peeling plastic and stickers off all our windows.  Just being able to walk up without a ladder feels huge!

High 63/Low 41

 

4.29.2016 - We Have Stairs!

Jim and I divided and conquered our errands this morning.  He headed out to the lumberyard to pick up more wood for the treads.  I headed to Lowe's to pick up more roof jacks and primer.

When Jim got back, he cut and installed the treads - we have stairs!!!  Jim needs to do a few things on them but it feels amazing to walk up them and go into the apartment - no more ladders!

He also put up the drip edge guides and then the next piece of drip edge on the front.

Then it was back to putting up shingles!

Time for more roof jacks...

This section of roof is steeper - Jim still has to get in some crazy positions to try and make sure everything is perfect - especially on the valley.

Time for more shingles...

Progress pictures...

Time for another roof jack!

The rake boards are wider and easier for Jim to work off when the roof is so steep so we're borrowing it for now!

Measuring to make sure the last rows come out right...

End-of-the-day...we're getting close to the top and it looks great!

 

Jim spent a little time after clean up working on some more grading.  Always a lot of different jobs to take care of!

 

High 59/Low 38

 

4.28.2016

Jim cut and installed more treads on the lower stairs - we are now officially out of wood and will have to make a trip to the lumberyard.  We are getting really close to walking up the stairs to the apartment!

 

Then Jim turned his attention back to the roof.  On the front rake board, he's going to put another layer of wood to make the rake stand out a little more - so he had to make bigger drip edge guides to make sure that the drip edge will be in the right location.

 

Then he put up the first piece of drip edge on the front and got busy putting up shingles!  It took awhile to get the first shingles up since it starts at a point.

 



 

Time to put up roof jacks!

Making good progress...

Scampering up to the top so he can figure out the measurement for the next piece of drip edge.

End-of-the-day - quite a lot accomplished today!

Jim had used up all his drip edge so he had to make the next piece...

Hemming the edges by hand...

 

Once Jim got the drip edge made, he switched gears and cut some grass.  Things are just starting to grow - our hardwood trees are mostly still in buds with a few starting to leaf.  Won't be long!

 

High 55/Low 30



4.27.2016

Jim and I had to start the day with dentist appointments - thankfully we had good checkups, especially since I have to go back in a month or so to get a crown after my root canal.  Always something...

Once he got back to the property, Jim got busy and made up for lost time!  Check out our gorgeous steps!  I'm so excited - they are so sturdy and feel so good walking up them.

Then it was time to work on the lower stairs.  Jim had to remove some of the planking over the lower level so he could work (that big hole made me nervous and Jim put a plank over it!)

Putting up the next stringer...

Cutting a tread...

We have to get more wood for the rest of the treads but it's exciting to see it taking shape!

Jim also got the scaffolding tower down by the stairwell.

Then began the tough job of building up the towers on the front.  Jim really could use another man's help with this job but since there isn't another one around, he just had to do it himself!

It's really hard lifting up the pieces so far off the ground...

Going up higher...

...and higher!  This is crazy high!

Whew.  Glad all that scaffolding work is finished.  Not sure how Jim had any energy left, but he did!  He started putting up the plywood backing for the rake boards.

The next piece is in place and Jim is fastening it...

Last piece...

He had to be on all that scaffolding plus his tip toes to reach the top!

Putting up the bracing to hold the rake boards...

Just bringing the materials up all this scaffolding is exhausting!

Fastening down the rake boards...

Jim had to cut a bevel and angle for the very top - so he put a quick coat of paint on the exposed edges.

Last piece...

Fastening it down...

End-of-the-day shot...

 

High 55/Low 26