Last week (September 12-18, 2021) was unfortunately the slowest progress week to date. Gravel was spread under the new house deck location and some more asphalt was removed there as well. We also got our first plumber visit and a lot of action is happening that is not actual construction.
For example, we were able to get a visit from Door Systems of Worcester so that we could evaluate options and order a garage door. The bad news is that that door will take 3 months to arrive. COVID-19-related delays are a factor beyond anyone’s control.
The Victors measure for the gravel.The gravel is placed.
This week should prove to be more active – Andy Cormier is back from vacation, so digging will recommence on the sewer line and the driveway. And much electrical work will be happening, with our service upgrade (needed for the new building demands and more) as well as some plumbing too.
Thanks for staying with me. I turned 59 this week, so I still believe that this project will get done before I turn 60!
Tabitha got me some practice foam golf balls – her favorite color – purple. Well, she also likes pink, but I’m glad she didn’t go down that route!
The project continues into week #8. This week, with Labor Day on Monday, was a short one, but work did get done. If you remember, this project also includes work on our back yard, driveway, and back deck. This is the deck attached to the house – as opposed to the one attached to the garage. It will be bigger and more functional than the current one. Foot traffic into the house will be rerouted and the driveway reconfigured here.
A longitudinal view of the existing house deck on Tuesday. Access will be rerouted as you will see below.Lateral view of the existing house deck on Tuesday. We had some flowers here but did not really do much gardening-wise here this year as the renovation was coming. I say “we” but that is Lynn’s purview – not mine…she does that work (as she would tell you). She’s actually superb at landscaping. And mowing the lawn – but that’s because she forbids me to do it. Seriously! The plan for the house deck as seen from a CGI view of the new deck off of the new garage building – though the decking color plan is for gray not brown. In addition to the new access means to the back door, we also will be adding paving stones to make walkways connecting the two buildings (not shown here).
Given the amount of previous work done, there was a need to reorganize the site a bit on Tuesday September 7th and Wednesday September 8th. Excess materials were returned for credit and site trash and leftover pieces of “stuff” (shingles, lumber, plywood, etc.) were picked up and carted away.
Tuesday morning saw Ready Installs loading up the excess roofing shingles for credit.
On September 9th, work on the back deck went into high gear. It was removed and carted away.
Rail removal on the house deck.The decking is removed and now the joists and end plates are ready to go.Deck is gone!
Surprisingly, there was an old asphalt landing under the dirt here that I found while removing a decades worth of leaves that had blown through the lattice found a home under our mudroom!
Cleaned up and ready for the piers. Note the old found asphalt landing.Lateral view with deck removed.View towards the new garage building.
On Thursday September 9th, the father and son team from Ready Installs (Jon and Jonny Victor) measured for the new piers for the house deck. Later on Thursday, it rained a lot – AGAIN.
Measuring for the house deck piers. Care had to be taken to avoid the outgoing septic line.
Meanwhile Mike Astrella (electrician) was busy getting light positions chosen, as well as working on the rough electrical for both the upstairs and downstairs of the new building.
Selecting light locations and rough-in wiring
On Friday, I made a few supply runs to Home Depot in Auburn and EW Electrical Wholesalers in Worcester to get overlooked electrical supplies and materials.
Hitting Home Depot!
Also on Friday, the house deck piers arrived.
Piers being moved to the back by Cormier’s crew. This view is from the new building so you can tell it’s quite tall.
On Saturday, September 11th, the piers were installed and backfilled.
Some asphalt removal, and the piers are in.
That’s the progress for the week of September 5-11. We are getting there. Hope that you are enjoying these summaries!
Wow – we are almost two months into this building project now. This week (August 29 – September 4, 2021) was REALLY busy as you’ll see below. My photos focused on the more active stuff – so I hope you find them and the continuing saga of this project interesting.
First, I was able to get some shots on the interior work on the second floor.
Braces on rafters
Our ceiling with no roof – yet
View towards the future front window
View towards the future 16′ x 16′ deck
A few shots from the second floor
Jon and and Jonny Victor (the father and son team of Ready Installs) showed up early to check out the project’s progress.
Jonny checking out door height.
Next, the first order of business on Monday, August 30th, was to get the deck header up. This involved installing an ice-water barrier (which the crew decorated with a muscle-man drawing of Raphael as it will never be seen again), and nailing the header.
Ice water barrier up
Header nailed in over barrier
Getting the deck header in
Inside the garage, work on installing furring in the ceiling went on.
Early furring work in garage
At this point, we had a need to get some construction synchronized dance going. To start the deck we needed get the piers in for the deck – which required excavation and careful measurement. Also, the septic line needed to be started. Andy Cormier returned with his excavator and crew to do this. There were quite a few roots in the ground from a previously removed pine tree.
Staking out the deck location
Andy begins digging for the piers
Checking depth
Jon Victor watches as the hole depths are verified by Andy and his grandson
View of the excavation
Getting ready to exactly place the piers
Pier excavation activities
Once the trench was right, each 600-lb. pier was put in, and checked for accurate placement.
Picking up the first pier
All three piers moved to the last chunk of asphalt in the driveway.
Moving the first pier
Guiding the pier in
Last of the 3 piers going in
Pier installation for the deck
After this, Andy backfilled the trench.
Monday August 30th progress.
On Tuesday, August 31st, work continued apace. The framing of the deck began as well as work on a septic line and more.
Deck framing beginning.
Septic line excavation
Septic trench
Septic line into garage floor
Septic line work.
When Andy was safely done, work could get going on the deck supports. Temporary supports were used and then the main deck supports were attached to the piers.
Temporary deck supports going up
Raphael and crew making it happen
Permanent column attachment next to a temporary support
Getting the deck supports upThe sun sets on Tuesday’s progress.
Wednesday saw more of the same – deck progress. I was out so I did not get as many photos. The crew had to wrap it up early as the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida were coming with heavy rain predicted Wednesday-Thursday.
The crew here is framing up the deck roof overhang as Jonny gets the stairway landing area identified and cleared.A shortened day (Sep 1st) with progress on the stairs and the deck area clear here.
Ah, but the rain came heavy – BUT – it was only overnight and gone by the morning of Thursday September 2nd – so happily work could continue on the deck and second floor in preparation for Saturday roofing.
Yay – work can go on!Interior framing progress.View of the stair stringers and temporary cross bracing.Thursday mid-day progress was strong – deck roofing overhang was nearly done.End of day Thursday had the roof all enclosed and ready for the roofers. The boards on the deck are temporary supports for the crews.
No construction happened Friday as the roofing crew was going to hit the ground running on Saturday. And hit the ground early they did at 7 AM!
Sun coming up on the roofing crew on Saturday, September 4th.
The roofing crew was done in 4 hours – and now we are ready for another good week. We did also work o Saturday with one of Jon’s patio specialists to define what our patio would look like and that should be very exciting and gorgeous – but you’ll have to wait to see that (like us).
All roofed in!
Thanks for taking a look here – and what do you think of the progress so far? We have a good ways to go, and as the Starks (and EVERY New Englander) says, “Winter is Coming”…so we are certainly wanting sooner than later.
For those of you who are wondering if I will EVER get back to hobby stuff, I will. I am using some time to rewrite and add onto my Aztec supplement for Buck Surdu’s Feudal Patrol™ in Mesoamerica (Civilizations Collide). New and improved (I hope).
Also, I am writing a good number of scenarios too. Plus, golf season is winding down in the next six weeks, so that’s happening too.
Mark A. Morin 