When I got here this morning, the scissor lift was still there, waiting for work to begin.
The bedroom window rough opening needed to be framed before the window went in.
However, it didn’t go up past 10′ or so. I moved the plywood back and forth hoping to give a level ground. Maybe the error 18 was because it was tilted sideways? I texted Aaron at United Rentals. A technician would call me back.
In the mean time, I wanted to add a wire for a future water heater located under a cabinet somewhere. (red 14-2, 15A 2P breaker)
The technician called me and explained what I already knew – that the stabilizer bars weren’t deploying, or holding, properly. He came by and told me that the plywood was the issue. We rode the machine up on two 2x4s extracted from other parts of the house (which are actual two-by-fours and strong as steel), and it worked.
However, with my fear of heights, the sway of the lift, and both of my arms suffering from tennis elbow, it was nearly impossible to get the window in. We put a ratchet tie-down around the window framing to stop the thing from swaying. Nonetheless, I couldn’t hoist it up into place.
You know when things go so sideways that, when you give up, you don’t say, “I give up!” or even throw your arms up in disgust – you just walk away. I was at that point.
In the end, this is what happened. I…
- moved the window upstairs by hand
- cut the top and bottom nail flanges off
- removed the right jack stud
- moved the window into place from the inside
- went back outside and screwed the left nail flange to the framing
- went back inside and hammered the right jack stud back into place
- went outside to screw the other nail flange
- came back inside to mount the right jack stud to the existing sill plate, header, etc.
All this took a total of 10 minutes. Previously, I stood on the scissor lift for 1.5 hours stressing about lifting the *#(%)! thing into place!
Next, I used Sopraseal tape flashing (not Resisto – good name for it – it resists sticking) to seal the window to the framing, and remounted the top trim using DAP caulking and decking screws.
The living room window is slightly tilted to match the framing. Democracy – everyone inside and outside thought it should match the framing. I was outnumbered. Now it sits straight in the framing but slightly crooked. No one can tell with the naked eye as it is only out about 1/4″.
This scissor lift has a platform that can extend out.
It makes it easy to wash the windows.
So that is done, except for inside and outside trim.
Now the windows match the rest of the house and don’t leak water, wind, dust, etc.
