Day 440 - Just When You Thought You Were Making Progress: Waterline Breaks

Wow  --  another setback. You can't really tell from these photos but we had a water line break in the master bathroom. We left the house shortly after 10pm and shortly before midnight ADT was calling. The water got into the basement ceiling and set off the glass break alarm in the basement. Thank the Lord it did. The water all ran down into the AC duct  -- none of it got on the hardwood floors!! We are so fortunate. Bryan and I spent the rest of the night (early morning hours) vacuuming up water then cutting open places in the basement ceiling and walls to let it dry out.

The plumbers came first thing the next morning and they are going to get it all fixed.

They will have to replace part of the AC duct.

I'm disappointed in the setback but it could've been so much worse. 

We are praising God for that.

Building Progress: Toilets, Central Vacuum, Security

Celebrate the little things, right? So I am celebrating - we have some toilets that flush, some faucets that work, central vacuum that works and all the cabinet hardware on.

On Labor Day Bryan and I worked on finishing up a few things and getting conduit ready for the security system, then we had a cookout.

On Tuesday, September 4, the central vacuum installer came out to finish that system up and he found that he wasn't getting enough suction which meant we had a leak somewhere! Bryan and I poured over pictures from before the drywall was up and figured out where all the pipes were.

Then Bryan dug into things to find it. Not pretty.

That feels like we are going backwards!!

Good thing I have been procrastinating on the fireplace tile!

But he found it and Friday they repaired it and it all works great now. And wow, is there a lot of suction in this system! Be careful with children and small animals.

Wednesday and Thursday the guy from ADT was there and got the whole security system all hooked up.

Wednesday night the plumbers came and worked until about 10:30 to get some toilets and sinks hooked up but they are not done yet. And Thursday the painters were also there doing touch up.

This is the one of the shower doors that were recently installed.

 So all in all we keep moving forward. And sooner or later it will all get done.

Gravel and Waterlines -- January 20 -- Day 192

The weather is very unpredictable! Last Monday was 64! I cleaned up out at the house and it was very warm. Today I was out there with the security system guys and it was 19 degrees!

A few more days and we should be ready for drywall. I am working on trim, doors, light fixtures, sinks and faucets and flooring. Plus the layout for the pantry and the laundry room.

I have ordered the kitchen cabinets and the bathroom cabinets.

Some days it just seems frustrating that we are not closer to moving in, but other days I feel overwhelmed with decisions I still need to make!

A few things that are being worked on:

Bryan put some gravel on the driveways to help with the mud.

The plumber has been finishing up the septic lines. 

(you can see we had our first snow but it wasn't much!)

And installing the water lines.

The stone masons put some of the capstones on the columns before the weather turned cold.

The framer built the tub surround. . .

 and put in the pocket door hardware.

 We have 7 pocket doors!

Believe it or not there are 4 of them in this photo!

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.

Ground Source Heat System -- November 15 -- Day 126

Some days I wish things were moving faster but there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it. I think everyone's calendars include holidays I don't know about.

There is a little more of the siding done and you can see 3 of the arches across the front.

The ground source heat system is coming along

The plumbing keeps moving along

And a few of the lights on the porch are laid out.

The fireplace was installed yesterday.

I was wondering how the outside vent would look. It is barely noticeable.

Siding and Plumbing -- November 7 -- Day 118

The weather is starting to change and it can be pretty cold out here when the wind is blowing. We have had some beautiful fall days, though. This was taken during one really beautiful walk. I scared up several deer this day as well.

The roof is on and the siding is on the upper part of the house. The plumber has been working on the inside and the outside. The HVAC guys have been out here some as well.

plumbing supplies

plumbing up in the trusses

basement bathroom framed in

septic tank is in

lines for ground source heat pump started

HVAC going in

The cabinet maker was out one day and we went over the kitchen cabinets. I spent a morning with the plumbing fixture lady and went over all the faucets, sinks, showers, toilets and tub once again. The fireplace has been selected and bought and should be installed soon. The electrician was out several times last week and we discussed all the power and light. I think we have 72 can lights!

 "One for every day that Kim Kardashian was married." 

We had a very big weekend with a big party -- mostly surprise party -- for my hubby and love of my life, Bryan. It was a great party and I do have pictures! But that will be my next post so watch for it!