Finishing up Odds and Ends
and
Starting the Front Porch
This week we finished up some odds and ends. Now that the roofers are gone for a while we had a chance to
complete the sheeting on the garage. The first job was to cut the excess off the Glue-Lam beam that supports
the shop roof. This was the one we left loose when it was installed. We let the roof sheeting crew adjust the
height when they installed the rafters in this area and now that it's permanently installed we can cut off the
excess and sheet this section.
Here's the chunk-o-beam that was cut off.
While we were busy sheeting our excavating crew returned to complete the septic system hook up. Our septic
system had been installed 7 years ago shortly after we purchased the property. We had been advised at that
time to have the septic system installed as soon as possible because constantly changing requirements for
septic systems in the area could make it expensive if we waited. We are very glad we had this work done then
since some people are being forced now to use "alternate" septic systems that can cost up to $25000.
When our foundation crew were laying the block for the foundation walls I installed the septic pipe. This made it
a simple job to lay the remaining pipe and connect everything. A cleanout was also installed outside the porch
area as was required by our local building code. We had this work done now because this pipe runs directly
under the rear porch and it must be in place before the porch can be built.
At the same time all this was going on our roof framing crew came over with their backhoe. There is so much
building going on at the present time it’s very difficult to rent a fork lift. We were lucky and our roofers were
kind enough to take an hour to help us move most of our finish materials into the garage where they will be
protected from the elements.
A set of forks was installed on the backhoe and in about an hour we had all our expensive tongue and groove in
the garage.
After supervising the moving of our finish materials we got back to completing the sheeting on the shop section
of the garage.
The final section that needed to be sheeted was where the rear wall of the bonus room connects with the shop
roof. This had to be done from outside so we cut the materials and then climbed out onto the shop roof to nail
everything together.
With the sheeting complete I needed a way off the roof. I remembered that we had scaffolding set up in the
back of the shop and figured I'd just jump off onto the scaffolding and climb down.
I don't think so.... The scaffolding was a bit too far down to risk jumping so I pleaded with the "boss" to bring
out a ladder. A famous Chinese general once said always leave yourself an escape route, something I failed to
do here. After a fair amount of begging the "boss" relented and brought me a ladder.
When the septic connection was complete our excavating crew began the final backfilling and grading. At the
same time we decided to have them remove a couple small trees. A backhoe makes quick work of this.
It's important even under porches to have a good grade that will direct water away from the foundation. Luckily
we had enough dirt left from the original excavation to fill everything and grad it properly.
With all the odds and ends taken care of it was time to get started on the porches. We decided to mount the 6x6
porch posts using a standard metal bracket bolted to a piece of pressure treated 2x8 that will in turn be bolted
to the concrete support post. Here we are aligning the pressure treated 2x8 in order to mark for the bolt holes.
There are several ways to do this but the easiest for us was to hold the 2x8 in the proper position and smack it
with a hammer above each bolt. This left a nice depression exactly where the hole needed to be drilled.
After drilling the holes the 2x8 fits perfectly.
After fitting the 2x8 pressure treated base plate it was time to install a nailer outside the 14th log course. This
nailer will receive the 2x6 porch ceiling supports later. For now it will receive temporary braces which will hold
the porch posts plumb.
It took about an hour to install and brace these posts. Later a 6x8 header will be installed that will tie all the
posts together.
Each post has a recess cut out for a 2x8 face plate. Outside corner posts need this recess cut on two sides.
Here is one of the 6x6 post brackets bolted to the pressure treated base plate. The post bottom is drilled so the
bolt will recess up in the post and it is then set inside this plate. Once everything is aligned and fits properly the
plate is nailed to the post tying everything together.
Here is one installed. Because the post has a cut out for the face plate the bracket is offset to the rear. This
was simpler than cutting the bracket and it will never show.
With the installation of the first 6 posts we are finished for the week. This was a short week (only 3 working
days) so not much progress is evident. On Thursday we will head to Phoenix for the day to do some shopping
for flooring and kitchen appliances. This will be a full day since it's a 3 1/2 hour drive each way.
That's it for another week. Our trip to Phoenix was useful. We visited a
large Sears and gathered all the information we needed in order to
order our appliances from our local store. Sears had a 10% rebate sale
that will basically result in receiving enough cash back to essentially
pay for our dishwasher. Sometimes you just have to buy "stuff" even
when you're not quite ready for it yet. On Friday we went to our local
Sears store and ordered everything. Thankfully our local Sears (which
is a very small store) will delay the delivery of everything till we have
the house totally closed in and can lock everything up.

Next week we will be talking to a contractor about an estimate for our
garage doors (one door has to be custom installed since it won't open
with a 90 degree turn) and we will continue working on the front porch.


Check back soon.