projects on the go
The living room add-on walls are scraped of all rotten sheathing.
I got some spray foam insulation from Canadian Tire and filled the cracks between the stucco and the studs. Very sticky stuff. Next, the insulation went up. We used what came out of the walls but doubled it up (R12, yellow) and filled in the rest with new (R22, pink).
The living room support stud was there, right where I left it.
I got some long drill bits from Canadian Tire again for pilot holes – #6 and #7, I think. The first five wore out from fatigue (or misuse).
The second support stud went in. I used 3½” screws to mount the first and second stud to the existing balloon studs.
Dave arrived shortly after I did, and we kicked the front forms from the footing.
Before putting the beam in, I inspected the balloon studs and floor joists. One is badly worn, rotted. The rot should be cut, and a shim should be added.
The beam I was going to use fell short. It must span five studs / joists.
I added 2×2 furring strips to the SE and E living room walls.
The new window framing must be complete first, so I removed the old window. Some kind of insect had made its nest in there a while ago.
Corners are always a small issue when furring. This time, I fastened a 2×3 to an existing 2×4 and a 2×2 to the 2×3. This allows for drywall attachment.
Dave showed up. After we temporarily fitted the new living room window in, we looked at what used to be the porch (soon to be the veranda) and how it was constructed and added to over time. I tore off a bunch of superfluous wood used to frame in the old windows.
Whoever changed the original veranda into a covered in porch carved up what used to be beautiful pillars. There are four in total. I wonder if there is someone with a lathe who wants to turn a 6×6 post. It doesn’t have to be fir – that would be expensive. But it should be 8 feet long.
I’ll start the insulation and replacing the header king studs next.
I got some pink insulation, drywall, and a piano hinge from Home Depot today.
Two sheets had damaged corners, so I got them for $10 a piece rather than $23.
The steps leading to the landing were cut and put in place. The area underneath will be storage when a hinge is put in.
I reattached the bathroom door. I need to know in real-time how the door swings against the staircase leading upstairs. Plus, it’s a nice thing to have privacy.
The globe on the new living room light fan fixture broke when changing light bulbs. I believe this piece was the reason. It ground against the glass when loosening. Canadian Tire gave me a new one. To prevent this from breaking again, I put a bead of silicone (the second time) along the edge of it. We’ll see.
The stringer for the steps leading to the mid-landing were done. Now I have to find the right hinge to access the storage below.
I ordered a few of these online, but they will not work. Maybe a piano hinge instead.
The plumbing for the laundry was finally completed. Since moving the washer box from the north wall to the west wall, the plumbing inside the wall also took forever, but it had to be done before the drywall could be put up. Dave patiently waited for me to complete that, but there was no time to complete it down below.
Also in the bathroom, the toilet shelving was run through the planer and router. They were 120-year-old wood planks used in the basement as a retainer wall. Now they are repurposed. I’m not sure if I’ll use polyurethane or resin to finish them.
They are not mounted yet. Just a dry run.
Now, on to the next task.
