The plumber has worked to finish his stuff today and yesterday (7/30 and 7/31). He's brought two issues to my attention: First, the dishwasher doesn't fit under the counter now that I've tiled inside the alcove it sits in. He says that, with a countertop lip like mine, they usually lay plywood across the cabinet before laying the countertop. This elevates the slab so that the lip doesn't hand down and hinder the opening. I'm meeting with the countertop people to see what they can do to help. In the meantime, I'm researching to see if a shorter dishwasher is even available.
The second problem is that the pressure for the hot water is lower than the cold water in the master bath. Somehow, the flow is constricted. He guesses that the copper tube under the slab was crimped by the slab workers when they dug out the footing walls. The hot water line runs from the attic down into the half bath. Then underground to feed the laundry and then the master bath. He thought the laundry seemed unaffected, but I think it's affected too. In any case, the only solution he can recommend is to branch off the hot water line in the attic and try to bypass the crimped line by coming down another wall and joining up with the system down the line. This means tearing out a strip of sheetrock to install the new line. It looks like I have no choice here.
On the bright side, my spa tub is now installed along with the rest of my toilets. The plumber got his final inspection. So we're good to go on that front.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Windows Measured, Home Theater Equipment Ordered
Two ladies from Lowe's came by today to measure the windows for the shades. While I waited for them to show up, I laid down a couple more tiles in the foyer. After a couple of days, my measurements will be in their computer system, and I can order the blinds anytime I have an idea about what color my furniture will be.
I also ordered my home theater stuff from Crutchfield.com last night. This is all the speakers, the receiver, etc. I'll keep it safe at my parents' house until I'm ready to install it. I got an e-mail saying it has shipped already. Crutchfield has always impressed me with their level of expertise when you talk to them on the phone. They provide great customer service, and they are thourough about providing you with wire connectors, brackets, etc. to make installation easy for you.
I also ordered my home theater stuff from Crutchfield.com last night. This is all the speakers, the receiver, etc. I'll keep it safe at my parents' house until I'm ready to install it. I got an e-mail saying it has shipped already. Crutchfield has always impressed me with their level of expertise when you talk to them on the phone. They provide great customer service, and they are thourough about providing you with wire connectors, brackets, etc. to make installation easy for you.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tiling Almost Complete
Wow, it's been an entire month since my last post. In that time, I've finished tiling the kithcen floor and both hallways that connect to it. And I've grouted all that space. I'm half way done with the entry foyer, and I've done the walls behind the spa tub. I haven't grouted this yet. All I have left to tile is the TV room and the rest of the walls in the bathroom!
I did a test of my alarm monitoring service. It's a good thing I did, because they couldn't find me in their system until my installer corrected some information with them. They did see it come through when I did the test.
I'm looking forward to getting my window blinds so I can take the cardboard down off the windows. To that end, I've been visiting stores to look at brands and colors. I like the roman shades, but they're more expensive (of course). One Lowe's store wasn't much help because there was no one working who knew anything about shades. At another store, we found a lady who was very helpful. She had good decorating ideas. Lowe's also had a special going on measuring and installing for a whole house. They should call to schedule an appointment within 2-3 days. Before I make color choices for the blinds, I'm going to wait until I have an idea which furniture I'm going to buy.
The plumber is supposed to come someday next week to finish up his work. There are two toilets and the spa tub left to be installed, along with the faucets and trim on the bathtub and garage shower. Oh, and the dishwasher, too. I've been waiting to get the walls tiled behind the spa tub before calling them back. I also need to call the cabinet guys back out. Since the kitchen floor is tiled and grouted, they can finish installing the molding, thr fridge cabinet and the work desk.
I did a test of my alarm monitoring service. It's a good thing I did, because they couldn't find me in their system until my installer corrected some information with them. They did see it come through when I did the test.
I'm looking forward to getting my window blinds so I can take the cardboard down off the windows. To that end, I've been visiting stores to look at brands and colors. I like the roman shades, but they're more expensive (of course). One Lowe's store wasn't much help because there was no one working who knew anything about shades. At another store, we found a lady who was very helpful. She had good decorating ideas. Lowe's also had a special going on measuring and installing for a whole house. They should call to schedule an appointment within 2-3 days. Before I make color choices for the blinds, I'm going to wait until I have an idea which furniture I'm going to buy.
The plumber is supposed to come someday next week to finish up his work. There are two toilets and the spa tub left to be installed, along with the faucets and trim on the bathtub and garage shower. Oh, and the dishwasher, too. I've been waiting to get the walls tiled behind the spa tub before calling them back. I also need to call the cabinet guys back out. Since the kitchen floor is tiled and grouted, they can finish installing the molding, thr fridge cabinet and the work desk.
Monday, June 22, 2009
New Fridge Arrived, First Front Retaining Wall Built
On June 19 & 20, we formed and poured the first of two concrete retaining walls in my front yard. There will be a short wall on on each side of the yard between me and each neighbor. The walls will span from the end of the privacy fences to the street. We've completed the one on the driveway side of the house.
After two full days in 95+ degree heat, I have to wonder if I've lost my marbles! Why are we doing this? Well, I want to make sure that the parish can't use that as a last-minute holdup on my final inspections. Without these walls, they could see potential for rain water to run off onto a neighbor's yard. In addition, the one we just completed will help hold the edge of the driveway in over the years.
On the 19th, they delivered my new refrigerator. It's plugged in and working! So we can now stock up on water and stuff at the house without bringing ice chests all the time.
On the tiling front, I haven't done any more since I started inside the kitchen island. This evening, we're going to remove the form from the first wall and continue tiling. I'll work on the tile until Friday and Saturday, when we'll do the wall on the other side of the yard. Those are the first days we expect any kind of break from this relentless heat. And by "break", I mean that it may be in the low 90s instead of the high 90s!
After two full days in 95+ degree heat, I have to wonder if I've lost my marbles! Why are we doing this? Well, I want to make sure that the parish can't use that as a last-minute holdup on my final inspections. Without these walls, they could see potential for rain water to run off onto a neighbor's yard. In addition, the one we just completed will help hold the edge of the driveway in over the years.
On the 19th, they delivered my new refrigerator. It's plugged in and working! So we can now stock up on water and stuff at the house without bringing ice chests all the time.
On the tiling front, I haven't done any more since I started inside the kitchen island. This evening, we're going to remove the form from the first wall and continue tiling. I'll work on the tile until Friday and Saturday, when we'll do the wall on the other side of the yard. Those are the first days we expect any kind of break from this relentless heat. And by "break", I mean that it may be in the low 90s instead of the high 90s!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Recent Photos
These are from several days ago. I'm behind on my photos, as usual! I've finished tiling the table area by the bay window since then. I've also tiled where the fridge and work desk are. The orange stuff is now laid all behind the island. One of my next steps is to tile back there.
With these bigger 20 inch tiles, I've discovered that I needed a bigger trowel (1/2 in x 1/2 in) so that the thinset fills consisently under the tiles. Otherwise, there are hollow cavities under many of them when the dry. Unfortunately, I learned this AFTER I tiled all that you see here. A couple of these tiles are really prone to crack or break if I drop something on them over the years. I suppose I'll have a few extra tiles left over in case this happens.
With these bigger 20 inch tiles, I've discovered that I needed a bigger trowel (1/2 in x 1/2 in) so that the thinset fills consisently under the tiles. Otherwise, there are hollow cavities under many of them when the dry. Unfortunately, I learned this AFTER I tiled all that you see here. A couple of these tiles are really prone to crack or break if I drop something on them over the years. I suppose I'll have a few extra tiles left over in case this happens.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Still Tiling
I've been writing software for my oil refinery client during the day and tiling after work and late into the night. This week, I've worked from around 6 to 11:30 every day except today. I've got the orange Ditra underlayment put down across most of the table area and the hallway to the master bedroom. I've also got much of the table area tiled.
I also took time out recently to install video security cameras around the outside of the house. It's a bummer to have to spend the money and time, but I grow more concerned about the house across the street and the people who come and go from there. Did I tell you about the evidence that someone tried climbing a ladder and looking over the cardboard I have up in the windows? Apparently, it happened when they tried to break into the back door a couple of months ago. They stole my extension ladder and apparently used it against the house in the driveway. The evidence is the part of the gutter that's bent outward where it looks as if someone pulled themselves up using the gutter as a handle.
So now I've got three cameras (soon to be 4 once the company sends me a replacement power supply. They're set to record when motion is detected. I feel better knowing I'll have evidence if I need it.
Today, we put wood strips under each kitchen drawer to add reinforcement. We cut them to fit and used contact cement to attach them. The plywood used in the bottoms was thinner than I would have liked.
This Sunday, I'm starting to host a book study group on the book Liberty and Tyranny by Mark Levin. Even though I'm not living there yet, I plan to host the group at my house! So before then, I hope to make more progress on the tile, begin to work on landscaping in the front yard, and put up toilet paper and towel hangers in one of the bathrooms.
My replacement fridge still is not here. They called again yesterday to let me know it still hasn't arrived. No word on how long it will be.
I also took time out recently to install video security cameras around the outside of the house. It's a bummer to have to spend the money and time, but I grow more concerned about the house across the street and the people who come and go from there. Did I tell you about the evidence that someone tried climbing a ladder and looking over the cardboard I have up in the windows? Apparently, it happened when they tried to break into the back door a couple of months ago. They stole my extension ladder and apparently used it against the house in the driveway. The evidence is the part of the gutter that's bent outward where it looks as if someone pulled themselves up using the gutter as a handle.
So now I've got three cameras (soon to be 4 once the company sends me a replacement power supply. They're set to record when motion is detected. I feel better knowing I'll have evidence if I need it.
Today, we put wood strips under each kitchen drawer to add reinforcement. We cut them to fit and used contact cement to attach them. The plywood used in the bottoms was thinner than I would have liked.
This Sunday, I'm starting to host a book study group on the book Liberty and Tyranny by Mark Levin. Even though I'm not living there yet, I plan to host the group at my house! So before then, I hope to make more progress on the tile, begin to work on landscaping in the front yard, and put up toilet paper and towel hangers in one of the bathrooms.
My replacement fridge still is not here. They called again yesterday to let me know it still hasn't arrived. No word on how long it will be.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Operational Pause in Tiling
After a good week making progress on the tiling, I've started another job as an independent software developer for that local oil refinery. So this week, I'm starting to put a majority of my time into that.
In the last two weeks, I've finished grouting the master bath and the spa tub deck (I still have to tile the walls in there), and the hallway between the guest bedrooms. I also put tile as the baseboard in the laundry room and grouted that. The only floors I have left to tile are the big rooms: the kitchen and the TV room. That should go fairly quick once I start.
I can't remember if I mentioned that all my sinks are hooked up. The plumbers have those and two of my toilets in. So now I can reap the benefits of my $9,000 sewer hookup! We moved the washer and dryer into the laundry room and hooked up the dryer before we left the other day. So the laundry room is finished except for the eventual cabinets that will go in.
Best Buy was originally scheduled to deliver the new fridge and take the damaged one today. But the new one has been delayed in shipping. No problem! No hurry there.
I can't wait to start tiling the rest of the house! I'm hoping to finish the big rooms before I start hosting a small group for my church next month. Even if I'm not living there, it will work for holding a meeting.
In the last two weeks, I've finished grouting the master bath and the spa tub deck (I still have to tile the walls in there), and the hallway between the guest bedrooms. I also put tile as the baseboard in the laundry room and grouted that. The only floors I have left to tile are the big rooms: the kitchen and the TV room. That should go fairly quick once I start.
I can't remember if I mentioned that all my sinks are hooked up. The plumbers have those and two of my toilets in. So now I can reap the benefits of my $9,000 sewer hookup! We moved the washer and dryer into the laundry room and hooked up the dryer before we left the other day. So the laundry room is finished except for the eventual cabinets that will go in.
Best Buy was originally scheduled to deliver the new fridge and take the damaged one today. But the new one has been delayed in shipping. No problem! No hurry there.
I can't wait to start tiling the rest of the house! I'm hoping to finish the big rooms before I start hosting a small group for my church next month. Even if I'm not living there, it will work for holding a meeting.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Another Tiling Update
We spent all day on Saturday tiling in the master bathroom. First, we finished the deck for the spa tub. That part takes so much time because every tile needs to be cut to fit. And then laying the tile is something that takes time because you want to get it as level as you can for the rim of the tub to sit on.
Laying out the tiles ahead of time, I saw how tricky it is to tile around an opening like that. When you're laying tile in a grid on a continuous surface, all the pieces lock together and you can easily keep the pattern going. When you have a big hole in the middle, you don't have that and the pattern can get out of square on the other side of the hole. I had to use a laser level to keep everything in line. Even then, I had to leave larger spaces between some rows on the back of the deck so that things would line up ok with the front of the deck.
After that was done, we moved back down to the floor. I had bought another box of the 12in tiles thinking that would be enough to finsih the floor. It's a mix of 12in and 6in tiles. Well, not only did I run out of 12in tiles again, but now I'm out of 6in tiles also. We used a lot of 6in ones on top of the spa tub deck. I'll be ordering another box of each. In the meantime, I have different tile I can be laying in the other parts of the house. I'll be working on that tomorrow until my dentist appointment at 4.
Laying out the tiles ahead of time, I saw how tricky it is to tile around an opening like that. When you're laying tile in a grid on a continuous surface, all the pieces lock together and you can easily keep the pattern going. When you have a big hole in the middle, you don't have that and the pattern can get out of square on the other side of the hole. I had to use a laser level to keep everything in line. Even then, I had to leave larger spaces between some rows on the back of the deck so that things would line up ok with the front of the deck.
After that was done, we moved back down to the floor. I had bought another box of the 12in tiles thinking that would be enough to finsih the floor. It's a mix of 12in and 6in tiles. Well, not only did I run out of 12in tiles again, but now I'm out of 6in tiles also. We used a lot of 6in ones on top of the spa tub deck. I'll be ordering another box of each. In the meantime, I have different tile I can be laying in the other parts of the house. I'll be working on that tomorrow until my dentist appointment at 4.
God and Best Buy Come Through in a Pinch
I've had my appliances since New Years Eve, and I did open them to take a quick look at them. On the fridge, I took off the cardboard box but not the plastic bag and styrofoam pads. I left them on to protect the unit from dust and bumps, etc.
On Thursday, we took off everything and found a damaged corner of the unit. The top left corner looked like someone hit it with a forklift or something. The door is damaged, but so is the main case of the unit. When you open the door, you see plastic parts broken and the metal bracket that holds the hinge is bent up.
I know Best Buy's return/exchange policy is 30 days. So I was afraid I was going to have to eat this as a loss and buy another refrigerator. I was definitely at their mercy on this one. I was praying that God would give me favor in the eyes of the store management and that they would help me out. And that's exactly what happened! After some back and forth with the manager, he agreed to exchange it. The model I originally bought was discontinued, so I'll have to pay the difference to get a different one. But they are going to exchange it for me.
Whew! God has been so faithful to me. And Best Buy is awesome, too.
On Thursday, we took off everything and found a damaged corner of the unit. The top left corner looked like someone hit it with a forklift or something. The door is damaged, but so is the main case of the unit. When you open the door, you see plastic parts broken and the metal bracket that holds the hinge is bent up.
I know Best Buy's return/exchange policy is 30 days. So I was afraid I was going to have to eat this as a loss and buy another refrigerator. I was definitely at their mercy on this one. I was praying that God would give me favor in the eyes of the store management and that they would help me out. And that's exactly what happened! After some back and forth with the manager, he agreed to exchange it. The model I originally bought was discontinued, so I'll have to pay the difference to get a different one. But they are going to exchange it for me.
Whew! God has been so faithful to me. And Best Buy is awesome, too.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Tiling Update
Two of the bathrooms are completely tiled and grouted, as well as the laundry room. The master bath floor is almost tiled. I ran out of 12in tiles and had to order more. I'm picking them up today. Yesterday, we started tiling the spa tub deck. That's excrutiating because almost every tile needs to be cut to fit.
The plumbers are supposed to come out today and install some toilets and sinks for me.
Also yesterday, we finally unpacked the refrigerator and found some bad news: the top corder looks like it was beaten up in shipping. The metal body and the door are badly bent, and when you open the door you can see the damage continues inside. I had the appliances delivered from Best Buy at the beginning of the year so I would know how big to have my cabinet openings built. I know that I should have checked them all thoroughly before now, but other work was occupying my time. I'm hoping they don't give me a lot of trouble trying to exchange it. I still have a house full of electronics to buy, and they'd be saving a good customer by accomodating me.
The plumbers are supposed to come out today and install some toilets and sinks for me.
Also yesterday, we finally unpacked the refrigerator and found some bad news: the top corder looks like it was beaten up in shipping. The metal body and the door are badly bent, and when you open the door you can see the damage continues inside. I had the appliances delivered from Best Buy at the beginning of the year so I would know how big to have my cabinet openings built. I know that I should have checked them all thoroughly before now, but other work was occupying my time. I'm hoping they don't give me a lot of trouble trying to exchange it. I still have a house full of electronics to buy, and they'd be saving a good customer by accomodating me.
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