This was a big day in terms of re-construction. Four rafter ties were cut and reinforced by the new 2×6 balloon framing studs.
Before 2×6 bridging:
1403 3 Ave N upstairs
This is a house built in 1906 at 1403 3 Ave. N., Coalbanks (later to become Lethbridge), AB, Canada. I bought the house in Dec. 2021 as a rental property. It has a 3-bedroom suite on the main floor and a 1-bedroom suite on the 2nd floor. This is the story of the upper suite (“up”).
weld practise continues, new wall erected
More odds and ends were completed on the framing of the 2nd floor entrance.
(This post is categorized in both “main” and “up” of 1403.)
More practise with the welding was done, as well. I bought a new spool of flux core wire from Princess Auto, replacing the Benchmark wire bought at Home Hardware.
Yes, I know – the welding looks like crap. This is my first time welding – ever. As the day went on, and Brock came by to guide me through it and practise his own welding, things got a little better. However, I am still unsure if the stairway will be made of welded metal or wood. We’ll see.
In the mean time, the new kitchen / entrance wall separating the two suites is up. We started by taping Shane’s level to a 2×4, extended to the rafters, in line with bottom plate, to find where the top plate will sit. I marked it, then Dave and Floyd held the 2×6 in place with some sticks while I fastened it to the rafters.
We then measured the length and angle of these new balloon studs (114 5/8″, 29°) and cut them. This took fiddling about because the roof has a certain amount of sag (about 3/16″) from where it is tied to the house to the middle of the kitchen.
Studs are placed under each rafter (24″o.c.) and one in between (making about 12″o.c.).
As for the stairway itself, …
mudroom trapdoor framing
In preparation to build the rest of the mudroom floor (the floor platform and trapdoor leading to the basement), finishing touches must be done to the floor framing. Blocking was adjusted, and a spacer to get the right elevation was added to the ledger against the house.
Finally, the 3/4 plywood was fitted. (Note to self: When measuring for holes to cut in plywood, always measure from the same place, not from two different places (i.e. left side & right side) or you will end up having to move the framing to match the plywood hole rather than the plywood hole matching the framing.)
new, new, new
In an effort to scrape the lipstick off the pig, the bathtubs were removed from both suites, and the old gas stove from the 1940s was brought to the dump. So what do I put in as replacements?
The new range for upstairs arrived. I’m not unboxing it until it is upstairs. Since I have no stairs, it remains downstairs. What does it look like? Wayfair.ca sold it to me.
vanity plumbing done, hot water warning
Finally getting the necessary bits and pieces together, the vanity (commonly called the bathroom sink) plumbing is finally done, as is the shower plumbing.
I’ll leave water in the P-trap to see if my plumbing skills hold water.
wiring, wiring, and more wiring
I finally got some more 14-3 wire for the smoke detectors. The last of three is in the entrance, on the first floor. Why there? ‘Cause it’s a separate floor.
The new breaker panel is now wired through the old via the back. I had to get some new cable connectors to fit.
moving bathroom window, caulking, flashing
I made a mistake in … I was going to say in my drafting, but the mistake was from lack of drafting. The window opening was 1-1/2″ too low. This, after flashing it all in Blueskin butyl flashing tape – expensive stuff to waste! HFT and I talked about whether to fix it or just live with it. I, in my stubbornness, decided to fix it. Because of the framing style, it wasn’t too difficult to fix. New window opening:
After moving & reinstalling:
proboard for sale
I can’t use this proboard (high density fibreboard – like MDF but smoother). The flooring will just be glued to the GOS plywood. Now I have to sell it. I’ll find a buyer on Kijiji.
insulation, Stucco, flooring, vapour barrier
Installation of the insulation. Say that five times. Anyway, no one likes a cold shower. This Rockwool insulation is so easy to work with. It cuts like a loaf of bread. It is fire retardant and soundproofs really well. Plus, it doesn’t make the installer itchy like that fibreglass stuff does.
2x4s, shower base, flooring
One doesn’t usually get too excited about 2x4s, but these are actually 2 by 4, or close to it. Plus, they’re fir, not just SPF. What do I need these heavy monstrosities for? I need to replace four tie beams (bottom chords) tying my rafters together. Some crackpot notched one badly, two more are split and compromised, and one more has been drilled through it so many times that there’s no way it is actually holding structurally anymore.
Thank you, Windsor Plywood, or bringing these in!