6.30.2017

Jim worked this morning on insulation...he got the fiberglass batts both above and below the bedroom window...

And the kitchen window...

And over the top and around the light fixture in the other kitchen window.

He also got the last Pex attached to this manifold.

In the afternoon, we headed out to work on siding.  But first, Jim moved up all the planks that he uses to hold all his tools and materials.

Finishing up the last section on these rows...

Then Jim moved up his platforms and started marking for the next rows...

We got to work about 1-1/2 hours outside before a good rainstorm moved in, so it was back to scurrying to get all the tools and equipment inside.

So we regrouped and went back to insulation.  I went back to making more loose insulation for Jim to use...

And he started stuffing it at the sides of the windows in the bedroom.  By the time he came home, he got both bedroom windows stuffed - one more window to go!

High 80/Low 63

6.29.2017

Jim spent time this morning taking apart the valves in the shower connection - the hot water appeared to be slightly leaking.  This was not an easy task since the Pex was connected on the other end, crimped and everything fit perfectly.  But he got it apart and it appears to be holding.  However, at the end of the day, he shut off all the valves at the manifold, pumped the air up to 70 psi, and is going to test the manifold.  He'll basically start all over and retest the system.

This morning, he also worked on attaching the radiant floor heating Pex to the manifold.  This is bigger and thicker Pex so it was difficult to bend it to where it needed to be.

This afternoon, we went back to siding.

Jim was making great progress - just about done with another 3 rows again when it started raining.  So it was another scramble to get all the tools and siding pieces inside. 

We had planned to leave about 4:45 to head to Lowe's to pick up Jim's latest order.  The rains came about 3:30 so it was a little discouraging that we couldn't continue on siding.  And there wasn't that much time for Jim to get involved in another big project.  So he worked on insulation for a little bit.

At Lowe's, we picked up our flooring for the bathrooms - exciting!  Jim also got a different kind of loose insulation to use in certain areas.

 

High 70/Low 63

 

6.28.2017

These are some pictures from the work Jim did yesterday after I left...he got the fiberglass insulation above the windows in the living room.

He also got one of the batts put underneath one of the kitchen windows - you can see how complicated this one was to go behind the blocking and make provisions for the outlet.

 

This morning, he did a little loose insulation stuffing by the apartment door...

 

But he worked on finishing up the cold line from the refrigerator - he got it all spliced in.

Plus...he took down the other manifold for the radiant floor Pex and installed a new one because he decided to configure things a bit different.  Then he cut the Pex tubing, got the plastic all off from the bottom and everything cleaned up and ready to put together!

 

All of the connections have tested perfectly - except the hot line into the shower.  It holds air but has a very, very slow leak.  Today we made sure where the problem was with a spray bottle of soapy water.  Unfortunately, it's in the worst spot - not the Pex connection but the brass fitting.  So Jim will have to take that all apart - groan.

After lunch, we got busy back on the shingles. 

Moving up so time for more marking...

Three new rows finished!

Progress is great but that means it's time to move all the platforms higher.  Since this is such a big tower, Jim has 3 platforms in the front that he works on that all had to be moved up.

Then he had to move up all his working platforms where he stores tools and shingles...

Time for more marking...

Back to shingles...

End-of-the-day picture...good progress!

 

Jim knocked off a little before 5:00 to do some mowing.  Some days, nothing is easy - the battery in the mower isn't holding a charge.  Jim doesn't think it's the battery so that will require some time to explore - which of course he doesn't have.  Thankfully, we have a battery charger so he'll try and keep the battery charged and hope that works until he has time to investigate.

 

High 72/Low 53

 

 

6.27.2017

Now that Jim is confident that the lines are holding pressure, he decided to work on the lines for the dishwasher and refrigerator.  You can see the new blue Pex running from the refrigerator valve box and the red Pex going from the dishwasher box.  He had to undo a couple of brackets to make sure he could get a tight crimp, but the lines look so elegant!

He is splicing into the other lines going to the kitchen faucet for these connections...you can see that he cut the hot water line, put the T connection in and has that line connected.  The blue will be next.

 

He spent the rest of the morning boring these giant holes out of the sides of the window frames so that he can use them to stuff insulation!  These holes take a long time to drill but at least that step is all done.

We got started on siding this afternoon.  Unfortunately, we weren't able to be out too long because of another pop-up shower.  Makes it difficult - there are a lot of tools and shingles to be taken in/out.

So we went back into the apartment and started working insulation - Jim started filling up the sides with the loose insulation while I continued to comb and make more.

The rain didn't last long at all so we decided to head back out again.  Unfortunately, I didn't get an end-of-the day picture because we once again got caught in a shower.  This time, we had enough warning - the wind really kicked up and the sky got dark.

 

I headed home and Jim went back to insulation work - this time cutting the fiberglass batts for placement.  The rain didn't last too long - it went back to bright blue sky before long!  Looks like it may just be that kind of week.

 

High 66/Low 50

 

6.26.2017

Jim worked this morning on making the additional steel underneath the overhang - this will be support for the knee braces.  We also have to figure out light placement here so Jim marked a couple options.

Then he started working insulation.  For the side of the kitchen window, there was no way he could reach the middle section - he ended up having to take down one side of the insulation batt in order to be able to stuff the loose insulation in the middle.  On a positive note, he said the glue really sticks - no chance of it not holding!

After lunch, we started moving tools outside to work on scaffolding, but just as we did, there was a pop-up shower.  It continued that way on/off all afternoon - it would go from bright blue sunny sky to a brief shower.  So we abandoned the thought of siding and continued working insulation.

Each of these window frames is different and presents a unique challenge.  For this living room window, Jim had to loosen the house wrap from the side of the window.  Then he was able to access the holes in the steel and use them to get the insulation in.

Stuffing insulation...

On the other living room windows, there was a track piece on the side.  So Jim had to use his hole saw to create a way to get the insulation in.

Meanwhile, I continued combing the insulation and kept Jim supplied with pails of loose insulation.



As of now, the living room, kitchen and bathroom windows are stuffed for the most part and ready for insulation batting!  Great progress!

Even though I'm sure he was completely sick of insulation, Jim started working on cutting the batts for underneath the windows.

 

This bathroom window/wall is all done!

Underneath all of the living room windows all finished too!

 

Not a real glamorous day, but making good progress which is all that counts!

 

High 70/Low 51 - on/off showers

 

6.25.2017

First thing this morning, our upstairs neighbor at the apartment was outside working on his truck.  Jim took the opportunity to go out and ask him if he would consider helping Jim move the band saw.  Not sure how convinced he was that he wanted to - he's supposed to let Jim know.  It's frustrating that the guy who promised to help never got back with Jim - he's not going to bug him anymore.  Hopefully this guy can help soon.  Jim needs the band saw to make the knee braces for the overhang.

At the end of the day yesterday, Jim did a little touch-up painting...look how nice this looks.

He also painted around the window - looks amazing!

Jim opened up another valve on the plumbing manifold - the washer and dryer.  Everything is still holding great.  So that only leaves the shower to be tested!

 

He then worked on more insulation - stuffing the loose insulation in the windows.  He was a little discouraged to realize that a lot of the windows have triple studs on the sides - which means that there is a hollow stud that goes all the way to the floor!  So that just means a lot more work stuffing insulation.  I spent more time today combing the insulation into fluffy piles that he'll continue to work with.

 

But the big news is that we were able to move around to the back of the house to start siding there!  He first made and installed a piece of flashing for next to the trim board.

 

Then was the spacer at the bottom...

Then the first piece of starter board...

Next piece up in place...

And the last piece to reach to the flashing.

 

Jim put up one piece of siding just to say that he started!  Before he came home to get ready for church, he did another pail of loose insulation.

 

High 73/Low 51 - beautiful!