rear walkway nearly complete

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We (finally) resumed work on the rear walkway for the house.  We picked up 3/4 yd. of gravel from Lethbridge Landscape Supply and spread it out along the walkway area.  This is what it looked like over time. 

20240607 root problems with last post hole
20260616 new back fence line
20260623 main rear walkway stump removal
 

20260623 main rear walkway almost leveled
20260829 main rear walkway with gravel

So today’s work was to add more gravel, level everything with a slight slope, and put in the paving stones (basically concrete blocks 24″x24″).  The existing ones needed to be moved to line up with the new ones, so the steps were temporarily removed.  The pavers were not quite lined up with the house because the patio area slab (formerly gazebo slab) was slightly askew.  We straightened them all out, and now I think it looks alright. 

3795333 520 12C St N Lethbridge AB prop 20261105_163045 main rear walkway complete, no step.jpg
3925393 520 12C St N Lethbridge AB prop 20261105_170736 main rear walkway step.jpg
3373077 520 12C St N Lethbridge AB prop 20261105_170800 main rear walkway nearly complete.jpg
3119663 520 12C St N Lethbridge AB prop 20261105_170804 main rear walkway nearly complete.jpg

Next is to straighten the edge of the gravel with a form, fill in the remaining edge with soil, and plant some sort of vegetation – small shrubs maybe.  But at least now the tenants can shovel the walk of snow without digging up the gravel. 

However, the gate still isn’t up yet, so I guess that would be next. 

baseboard heater fixed, faceplates added, stairway storage completed

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The baseboard heater works now. 

According to my electrical engineer friend, the thermostat was arcing.  When dialing it up and down, one can hear a kind of buzzing or hissing sound, the sound of a small arc going on within.  Likely the contacts are dirty.  He thinks it’s fine, but I think I will replace it anyway.  Arcing leads to carbon building which leads to more arcing. 

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faceplates, baseboard heaters

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More finish work was done today.  I added faceplates to most of the outlets and switches.  Double outlets / switches aren’t done yet because I bought the wrong ones.  I’ll pick up the right ones tomorrow. 

Seam sealer, normally used in vinyl flooring, was used to seal the butt joints in the countertop. 

The baseboard heaters were all installed except in the bathroom.  The heater does not work. 

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organizing

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Today is organizing day.  I brought home much of the building materials, supplies, tools, etc. from 1403 and put it in the garage at home.  Now comes the sorting, storing, cleaning, throwing away, recycling, and … the big one … inventorying.  Why make an inventory?  As workdays went on, stuff became less organized and more chaotic, so, when something couldn’t be found, a new one was purchased.  This was the case for everything from a box of screws to a laser meter.  If only I had stuck to a method of accounting for all of my stuff, my accounting wouldn’t be in such a state.

The upper suite at 1403 is not yet complete, but they are moved in, any my arms are sore, so I will spend the next while organizing. 

the other half day outside

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Another trailer load of junk. 

The rear light, previously used at the rear of 520, was malfunctional (yes, it’s a word), just as my tenant attested.  The neighbours here at 1403 said the damned thing flashed all night long.  After changing the settings, it still flashed.  “Cheap is cheap”, as a long-forgotten person would say.  So I picked up a motion sensor light from Rona along with a 2-pack of 15-Watt bulbs.  Dave held the ladder and handed stuff up to me while I scrambled up there in the wind.  I’ll have to go by the house at night to see if it works. 

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microwave, toilet light, baseboard heaters, cabinet door pulls

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After working outside for a while, the microwave was installed today.  It took a while to get it installed because of the same problem as the rear suite at 520 – the cabinet bracket screws are almost lined up with the microwave mounting screws, forcing the mount to be slightly off-center. 

However, there is a little flange that sticks out at the top left, preventing the cabinet door from opening. 

It seems to have no purpose, so…

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half day of work outside

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My arms are still sore, so today was just a half day.

I noticed some gaps in the first floor bedroom window framing where the wood wasn’t taped with flashing.  I sealed as much as is showing in preparation for window trim.

Meanwhile…

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security, cleanup

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Smile, You’re On Camera! 

Maybe this will make a difference. 

The new upstairs tenants left many of their belongings outside to sort through when they had time, but one thing was taken.  I have a video of the thief, and it is now in the hands of the tenants. 

In the mean time, more of the construction stuff is being cleaned up. 

I wonder why no one has tried taking the stove.  Or the fridge dolly that has been sitting in front of the garage for a year.  Or the ladder.  I guess because all of those things represent real work. 

shared hot water, more finishing touches … and a microwave

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Because the entire property only has 100 Amperes (80A main floor, 50A upstairs), the upstairs suite cannot handle the on-demand water heater I had planned … yet.  As well, there is no room in this small suite for a water heater of any decent size.  (I have a 6-gallon, but for two people it should be minimum 15-gallon.)

So, they will share the main floor hot water tank.  To do this, they need a flow monitor to measure how much hot water they use and pay the tenant downstairs. 

The work begins.  These valves are for the upstairs. 

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missing pieces

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Over time, things get swept up, boxed, misplaced, or outright lost.  I have no idea where the cover for this window crank went.  I’ll have to order another, after I have a Thanksgiving weekend. 

The kitchen blind was finally put up.  When I get the measurements, I’ll go empty out Home Depot’s stock of blinds again for the remaining windows. 

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