Day 409 -- A Year of HVAC

We are over 400 days of construction now, and the Wilson's definitely hold the record for the longest time on this job site (besides me of course!).  They started way back last summer. They are doing all the HVAC work. That includes digging the lines for all the geothermal, running all the water lines for the floor heat in both the basement and on the main floor, repairing a break in those water lines, running all the ductwork for the traditional heat and the AC, all the ventilation,  installing the thermostats AND as if that wasn't enough, they cut the sheet metal for my laundry room and pantry backsplashes!

A FEW PICTURES FROM PAST POSTS:

early on they put the tubing in the basement floor

digging the geothermal lines

duct work

 lots of duct work

radiant floor heat lines

that one and only puncture in the line!

AND FINISHING UP IN THE MECHANICAL ROOM . . .

They will be back to fire it all up and of course for yearly maintenance,

but for now they are done!

Thank you for all those many, many hours of work!

AND - stay tuned for pictures of the backsplashes yet to come!

Wilson Mechanical

Radiant Floor Heat and A Little Drama

The floor heat was completed and it looks really nice. Everyone is intrigued and stopping in to see what it looks like. We are all anxious to get it up and running and see how it works even though it will be some time before we need heat. It is a lot of intricate work that will not ever be seen because it all gets covered up by flooring, but it will be much appreciated on cold days.

They still have to install all this equipment in the mechanical room.

So, now that we have that done, we can put in the hardwood. But the hardwood has only partially arrived on the jobsite. Some of it is still on order. Apparently there is a lumber shortage. Building has picked up and supplies are not yet keeping up with the demand.

Hopefully, we have enough to get the kitchen done so we can get our cabinets installed. The cabinets were supposed to be delivered Tuesday. They were not. They started installing the floor Wednesday but barely got started when they hit one of the lines for the floor heat and had to stop. Yes, there is water in those lines. We called the HVAC guys who came back and repaired the damage today. Now we have to wait for the subfloor to dry out to continue laying the flooring. Hopefully this is the one and only time they have to do that.

Now we'll see if we can actually get the cabinets delivered. There is a war going on between two companies involved in these cabinets and we seem to be the collateral damage at this point. They need to get the issue resolved. It isn't our fault they are at odds with each other. I just want my cabinets.

I think there is way too much drama going on around here. Our daughter is currently rehearsing for next week's production of Disney's Sleeping Beauty and I have been working with the props. Believe me, there is as much drama going on with our house as there is in the theater. But in spite of that, I do believe that both companies have the integrity to resolve the issue and get my cabinets to me.

Also this week, Bryan put some backer board in the bathrooms and laundry room
so they can install cabinets in those rooms.

And I planted a few flowers out by the 'gatehouse.' 

DAY 272 -- Floor Heat, Recycled Sinks and Dirt Moving!

The past week has been slow again. Many days Bryan was the only one who worked out there! But we did have a few things happen.

I salvaged some old sinks from my grandfather's stuff. These sinks had been sitting out in the dirt for over 30 years! But they are such cool sinks I decided to see what it would take to save them and reuse them. I had them resurfaced and they look so good. Here are before and after photos:

The other thing that is coming along is the installation of the floor heat.

And Bryan has been busy moving dirt with the bobcat.

There was huge dirt pile here and it is completely gone!

We are having beautiful spring weather. It is so nice to spend time out here.

We had a beautiful sunset over the pond last night.

I love watching the geese and listening to the coyotes!

Tediously Slow

The last two weeks have been pretty slow. I say that a lot, don't I? Anyway I am becoming impatient and I know a few other people are as well. The cabinet guys are ready to deliver and I have to keep pushing them back. But there is always some delay somewhere.

We got the mechanical room drywalled and painted and lights put up so that it is ready for the installation of all the equipment for our heating and cooling system. It looks empty now but not for long.

The painters also painted all the ceilings.

Bryan has been moving a lot of dirt with the tractor and the bobcat. The next thing is to get the floor heat system put down. The materials are here and they have started on it.

Hopefully this next week brings a few more changes.

I am busy making sure I have things picked out and ordered and

ready to go and there is always a hiccup somewhere.

But we have no deadlines except our own so I guess we're on schedule :)

HAPPY 2012! -- Day 175 -- January 3

Things seem to slow down with colder weather and the holidays. But some things are getting done.

The retaining walls have been built.

 And we had them put in a firepit.

The electricians have been working.

 The heating and cooler guys have been here.

These are valves for the heating system.

The central vac system is in.

 The gas lines are in. (propane)

The framer built this arch for me.

I'm really excited about how this arch will look when the cabinets are in.

They are also working on putting up the carsiding on the porch ceiling.

And the plumber has been working on the septic system.

We are talking to insulation contractors and drywall contractors.

We have spent a good deal of time cleaning up inside and out and Bryan has been smoothing and grading the whole area.