New House Build in WV

[Buppies]

Coming along nicely hope the snow coming next week does not slow you down

 

[TnWV]

Coming along nicely hope the snow coming next week does not slow you down

Trying to get as much outside stuff done as possible before it arrives. Since my windows are still MIA, there will only be so much I can do in the snow and freezing temps. Going to try and seal things up as much as possible and order a natural gas bullet heater.

If it doesn’t dry up enough to fill and drag the yard, I will just cover all the mud with straw for the winter. I’ve about had enough of the mud......

 

[s219]

My 7 year old son has been working on a house of his own lately. It gets sturdier every day!

View attachment 677929

I think it will be fun to let him go with the flow and see what it looks like in the end. Kids are very creative when they get to tinker by themselves.

 

[TnWV]

I think it will be fun to let him go with the flow and see what it looks like in the end. Kids are very creative when they get to tinker by themselves.

That is for sure, I think he mentioned using the composite decking cut offs for flooring. Only problem is that every time I lay a tool down, it disappears into his hands. Still can’t find two of my hammers.....

He has said for years that he wants a black Ram dually, a goose neck trailer, and a skid steer when he gets older. We bought him a toy set a couple years ago and below is how scraps get moved around.



Last week when we were hauling rebar for the garage, I later found he had cut tie wire into straight lengths, stacked it on his toy trailer and was hauling rebar around the house. It’s fun to watch for sure.

Two and a half more rows of decking done this morning, now off to have thanksgiving diner with a select few of us at the in laws, we will be having it outside around a fire pit.

Then to Home Depot for a couple more boxes of trex fasteners and hopefully finish the decking, even if I have to move lights out there.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Neat your son is involved.

 

[TnWV]

Neat your son is involved.

Definitely, I try to get both my kids as involved as possible. One of my goals is for them to see that with a little hard work, anyone can accomplish whatever they want to.

 

[TnWV]

Got all but one row of decking down when I quit at midnight. Today’s agenda is finish decking, install front door, and get the meter base and disconnect installed.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Definitely, I try to get both my kids as involved as possible. One of my goals is for them to see that with a little hard work, anyone can accomplish whatever they want to.

I wish all dad's were like you.

 

[s219]

Definitely, I try to get both my kids as involved as possible. One of my goals is for them to see that with a little hard work, anyone can accomplish whatever they want to.

Yeah, my dad tried that with us kids back when he was a builder. On the one hand, I learned all about building houses, especially the dirty jobs (when you are a skinny kid, the guys like to send you into crawl spaces, attics, etc). On the other hand, I realized I would never want to be a builder! Good set of skills to have though.

 

[EddieWalker]

...On the other hand, I realized I would never want to be a builder! ...

I thought you where a contractor?

 

[TnWV]

Yeah, my dad tried that with us kids back when he was a builder. On the one hand, I learned all about building houses, especially the dirty jobs (when you are a skinny kid, the guys like to send you into crawl spaces, attics, etc). On the other hand, I realized I would never want to be a builder! Good set of skills to have though.

I have always been, and still am, the skinny one, so I can relate. I worked as an electrician through college, so I’ve had the pleasure of being in many Attics and crawl spaces that a person was not meant to be in. That’s is why I have a basement, no more crawling under the house!

 

[civilian]

That’s is why I have a basement, no more crawling under the house!

I can agree. Our new house has a full basement, no crawl space. And water heater is set up on some blocks so you can drain it easily. One house I drain for the winter has no floor drain, water heater is set on floor, and you have to pump the water out the basement window. Getting something short enough to drain water heater into is hard to find. (I use owner's submersible pump.) Pain in the butt. Jon

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I can agree. Our new house has a full basement, no crawl space. And water heater is set up on some blocks so you can drain it easily. One house I drain for the winter has no floor drain, water heater is set on floor, and you have to pump the water out the basement window. Getting something short enough to drain water heater into is hard to find. (I use owner's submersible pump.) Pain in the butt. Jon

My 2nd water heater got set up on blocks.

I have one space I’m a little too big to get into. I get claustrophobic thinking about it.

 

[TnWV]

I wish all dad's were like you.

I just do the best I can, that’s all we can do. I read the good morning thread regularly, from your posts there, I have no doubt you do the same.

 

[TnWV]

I can agree. Our new house has a full basement, no crawl space. And water heater is set up on some blocks so you can drain it easily. One house I drain for the winter has no floor drain, water heater is set on floor, and you have to pump the water out the basement window. Getting something short enough to drain water heater into is hard to find. (I use owner's submersible pump.) Pain in the butt. Jon

I plan to use a tankless heater, but if that changes, I’ll definitely set the tank up for easy draining. I put a drain line under the concrete, so I can tie into it for a permanent drain if I want to.

 

[TnWV]

Decking is finished. Below are some pics. Composite decking is a real pain and slow process compared to wood, but I’m happy with how it looks. Will try to get the dirt all cleaned off tomorrow before bad weather moves in on Monday.



And a shot of the hay field and sunset off the left side.



Also got the front door installed, definitely happy with it. Will have to paint it, all the pre-finished doors were out of my budget, unfortunately.





After that, we did a lot of cleanup, and started nailing up outlet and switch boxes. Didn’t get the meter and disconnect installed, so that’s first on the list for tomorrow.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm dying to see what your window above the front door is going to look like!!!!

 

[s219]

Decking is finished. Below are some pics. Composite decking is a real pain and slow process compared to wood, but I’m happy with how it looks. Will try to get the dirt all cleaned off tomorrow before bad weather moves in on Monday.

That decking looks great. I've had mixed experience with the first generation products but the newer products seem pretty good. The test is how it looks 4-5 years from now! I haven't kept up with the cost -- has that stuff blown up with lumber pricing during Covid?

 

[s219]

I thought you where a contractor?

I do misc. jobs on the side, but I'd probably go out of business if it was my day job!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Decking is finished. Below are some pics. Composite decking is a real pain and slow process compared to wood, but I’m happy with how it looks. Will try to get the dirt all cleaned off tomorrow before bad weather moves in on Monday.
View attachment 678158
View attachment 678159

And a shot of the hay field and sunset off the left side.

View attachment 678161

Also got the front door installed, definitely happy with it. Will have to paint it, all the pre-finished doors were out of my budget, unfortunately.

View attachment 678162
View attachment 678163


After that, we did a lot of cleanup, and started nailing up outlet and switch boxes. Didn’t get the meter and disconnect installed, so that’s first on the list for tomorrow.

I've had some composite decking for about 15 years, much of which gets full exposure. It still looks great. I believe you will be happy in the long run. In fact, I've recently had to rebuild the wood underneath my composite decking. It was treated, but I did not stain it. This time I stained it.