rewiring, blocking, drywalling, mudding, taping … and a door

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Boarding (drywalling) the long bathroom wall was an issue as much of the framing is non-standard – some 12″o.c., some 24, some 16.  All original studs in the add-on are crooked by 3 inches top-to-bottom.  We thought of pulling the toe-nails at the top to move them over, but the living room side of the wall is already boarded which means all the drywall screws will be screwed up. 

As well, because of the “compromise” when levelling the house (we stopped raising the 2nd floor joists 1/2″ away from absolute level for fear of tearing the house apart), I found that half inch along the new section of bathroom wall when boarding.  The drywall sheet was levelled to the ceiling.  We found a 1/4″ gap from top-to-bottom.  As a 4×8 sheet is twice as long as it is wide, a quarter-inch gap along the side equals a half-inch discrepancy along the top. 

Backing was added to the 8-foot mark, and the bathroom switch wiring was moved. 

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grass shrubs

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The day started at 7:30 with a trip to Home Depot to get some screws for the ceiling fans.  Costco is close by.  Their parking lot has tall grass shrubs.  This is what I would like for the boulevard to dress up the front of the house. 

weed and tree control

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The boulevard is covered in weeds.  I would like to plant some of the same blue flowers (a wild flower) that both neighbours have, some sunflowers, and a type of tall bushy grass (I see these in the Costco parking lot).  I also trimmed one of the trees. 

But the priority for my time is getting the house suites complete.  The outside will have to wait. 

Sonopan for bathroom

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I spent most of the morning cleaning up and organizing the place.  I bought a new exterior light a bit ago but found, at home in the garage, another one.  Hmm.  I’m disorganized.  It gets expensive buying and misplacing and forgetting about building supplies. 

I also completed the mudroom / exterior lighting switch wiring. 

This afternoon, when Dave showed up, we added Sonopan soundproofing boards to the bathroom / living room wall. 

Some cuts were made with a utility knife, and some were made with the table and mitre saws.  Using a power saw makes one appear like Kermit the Frog as they are covered head-to-toe with green. 

Next: drywall. 

kitchen seepage

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Because of the rains in the past few days, I found that the window installed by the previous owner leaks.  I have water seepage on the floor from the window framing.  I have to reframe now.  Not sure if I have to take the window out completely.  Knowing me, I will.  I can’t take chances.  In the mean time, the neighbours have to look at a wrapped window. 

3-way rewiring

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This is what happens when you do wire-as-you-go electrical without first drafting.

Yesterday, I thought I could ‘borrow’ the hot (live) black wire from the mudroom 14-2 to run the exterior light, use the black wire from another 14-2 as a traveller, and use the white wire from that same wire as a common.  It seemed like it would work at the time. 

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rear wiring, spray-foam insulation

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The blue arc-fault wiring dangling from the 2nd floor is now connected.  I had to wait for the upstairs bedroom / stairwell wall to be relocated before connecting this up the receptacle. 

The kitchen 3-way light and fan switches are now connected – or, at least, one end of it.  Yes, I know, one switch is a different colour.  I’ll get on that as well as stapling the wires down. 

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flood during rains

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As none of the weeping tile, run-off mitigation, waterproofing, etc. has been done yet, the heavy rains in the past few days have caused some difficulties. 

The mudroom leaks.  None of the flashing or sealant between the four-square house and the mudroom has been replaced yet, so the mudroom leaks. 

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