New Home Construction
- Thread starter bmac
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<font color="blue"> I like to keep the stink and the flamable stuff away from the residence </font>
The workshop is pretty well encased in concrete (3 walls + ceiling are poured concrete). Only the end wall that has the doors is framed. However, I will check the common wall between the workshop and gameroom and make sure it is sealed well at the ceiling and that the connecting door is tightly weather sealed.
Your comments make alot of sense. I'll keep an eye (nose) on these things.
The workshop is pretty well encased in concrete (3 walls + ceiling are poured concrete). Only the end wall that has the doors is framed. However, I will check the common wall between the workshop and gameroom and make sure it is sealed well at the ceiling and that the connecting door is tightly weather sealed.
Your comments make alot of sense. I'll keep an eye (nose) on these things.
FaC,
I think I've heard the term "future proof" used to describe what you are talking about. Running extra conduit for uses that may not be recognized or budgeted for at the time of construction.
While I plan to run cat-5 to a number of rooms in the house, I may heed your suggestion and do a little "future-proofing" with some extra conduit myself. Thanks for the suggestion.
I think I've heard the term "future proof" used to describe what you are talking about. Running extra conduit for uses that may not be recognized or budgeted for at the time of construction.
While I plan to run cat-5 to a number of rooms in the house, I may heed your suggestion and do a little "future-proofing" with some extra conduit myself. Thanks for the suggestion.
When you pour the driveway make sure that you either have a good slope away from the bottom of the framed wall or a good drain. My dad's place is a similar setup and they did not get the slope right on the drive to keep the water away from the bottom of the framed wall. He ended up having to tear up the driveway and also replace all of the drywall on the inside when it got wet...
FWIW - FaC
FWIW - FaC
Another good point. However, this basement workshop space will not likely have a poured driveway. Instead, I'm thinking something natural like pea gravel or something similar for the basement access. Proper grading of this will be important to prevent what your dad experienced and I'll keep your comments in mind when I do this.
The main garage above this workshop will have a typical concrete drive and your recommendation certainly applies to this one. I'm confident that my builder will take care to ensure I don't have water intrusion into the garage.
The main garage above this workshop will have a typical concrete drive and your recommendation certainly applies to this one. I'm confident that my builder will take care to ensure I don't have water intrusion into the garage.
No new photos, just a progress report. The framing crew is done until the windows arrive. Tomorrow, the plumbing rough-in begins. Met with the builder and plumbing rep tonight. Went through the house and marked all the fixtures, drains, etc. Many of you are probably wondering why these details aren't on the plans. Well, we've made so many on-the-spot changes that the plans have become almost worthless. Still refer to them for some things, but much of this is now by the seat of the pants.
One issue I had to decide tonight was the hot water supply. I have been hearing and reading about the Rinnai tankless hot water system. I had been planning on using this product for the endless supply of hot water and because there is no tank of water to keep heated during the many hours per day when there is no demand for hot water.
In the end, I decided to go with 2 conventional propane-fired water heaters with a circulating pump. The tankless units will save on energy costs, but there is alot of wasted water while waiting for the hot water to arrive at the faucet. In other wards, it is not "instant" hot water like you get with the small under counter units. Also, the cost of the tankless units would be about double that of conventional tanks + circulating pump. So I opted in favor of lower upfront equipment costs for a system that will have hot water at the faucet almost instantly instead of a system that will save energy costs but have a longer lag time in delivering hot water to the point of use.
I hope I made a good decision.
One issue I had to decide tonight was the hot water supply. I have been hearing and reading about the Rinnai tankless hot water system. I had been planning on using this product for the endless supply of hot water and because there is no tank of water to keep heated during the many hours per day when there is no demand for hot water.
In the end, I decided to go with 2 conventional propane-fired water heaters with a circulating pump. The tankless units will save on energy costs, but there is alot of wasted water while waiting for the hot water to arrive at the faucet. In other wards, it is not "instant" hot water like you get with the small under counter units. Also, the cost of the tankless units would be about double that of conventional tanks + circulating pump. So I opted in favor of lower upfront equipment costs for a system that will have hot water at the faucet almost instantly instead of a system that will save energy costs but have a longer lag time in delivering hot water to the point of use.
I hope I made a good decision.
Cowboyjg
Silver Member
bmac...you may have already thought of this in your conversation with your builder and plumber but I'll bring it up just in case. Have a switch placed in the master bath and/or other locations you deem necessary that will turn the re-circulating pump on and off when you need it. The theory is this.....In reality the need for hot water will generally exist at fairly consistant times during your day. Chances are that you could realistically map your daily usage. The point here is that the savings you may achieve not having to wait for hot water will be lost during the time your not using the hot water because the heater constantly works and the pump constantly pumps.
I try to encourage my homeowners to install a switch in the master bath so that they can turn on the pump while they prepare for thier shower/bath and when they actually get in, the water is there. Conversly, when they get out it gets turned off. Typically the master suite is the room that is furthest away from the water heater and provides for the most waste. I would also ask your plumber about the real advantages of a multiple heater set up vs a single larger tank....1 80 gal vs two 40 gal could save you some $. With a recirculating system there should be no need for more than an 80 gal tank unless you're housing a small army. Chances are you could get away with one 50 gal tank.
I had the good fortune of being able to centrally locate my water heater when I rehab'd my house. The furthest away I have need for water is 30' so recovery time is not a real issue. With 4 kids and a dog (who thinks she's really a person) there are two things I can speak to with authority....Laundry and Trash. God knows we generate our share of each. I have never had a need for anything more than a 40 gallon tank. I do have two curb side trash cans though...... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
I try to encourage my homeowners to install a switch in the master bath so that they can turn on the pump while they prepare for thier shower/bath and when they actually get in, the water is there. Conversly, when they get out it gets turned off. Typically the master suite is the room that is furthest away from the water heater and provides for the most waste. I would also ask your plumber about the real advantages of a multiple heater set up vs a single larger tank....1 80 gal vs two 40 gal could save you some $. With a recirculating system there should be no need for more than an 80 gal tank unless you're housing a small army. Chances are you could get away with one 50 gal tank.
I had the good fortune of being able to centrally locate my water heater when I rehab'd my house. The furthest away I have need for water is 30' so recovery time is not a real issue. With 4 kids and a dog (who thinks she's really a person) there are two things I can speak to with authority....Laundry and Trash. God knows we generate our share of each. I have never had a need for anything more than a 40 gallon tank. I do have two curb side trash cans though...... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Nasty135
Veteran Member
bmac, I don't know if youv'e decided on your front elevation issue or not but you could consider a slight victorian flair that you could put one or two rows across the front of the house above the windows in a contrasting color with the front gable done to match... that would break-up the wide open space look that is concerning you.
There are different manufacturers with variations of style from the half round ,dog eared ,shake etc. depending on the manufacturer some panels have four rows in one section..
There are different manufacturers with variations of style from the half round ,dog eared ,shake etc. depending on the manufacturer some panels have four rows in one section..
<font color="blue"> Have a switch placed in the master bath and/or other locations you deem necessary that will turn the re-circulating pump on and off when you need it. </font>
Cowboyjg,
Excellent idea! But, now you have me thinking (dangerous, I know). Can we take your suggestion a step further and put the recirculating pump on a programable timer (something with a manual over-ride, perhaps)? As you mentioned, with little effort, we could probably determine when 90% of the hot water is used and set the timer accordingly. Heck, something as basic as a pool pump timer might work. But being the geek that I am, I'm now thinking digital - maybe like a programable thermostat with weekday and weekend modes. As my father-in-law like to say, someone please step in an protect me from myself. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Your main point, though, is well taken. Does not make sense for the pump to run continuously when no one is home or when everyone is sleeping.
Also, I'll check with the plumber about 1 large vs 2 medium heaters. Your arguement, again, makes sense.
Cowboyjg,
Excellent idea! But, now you have me thinking (dangerous, I know). Can we take your suggestion a step further and put the recirculating pump on a programable timer (something with a manual over-ride, perhaps)? As you mentioned, with little effort, we could probably determine when 90% of the hot water is used and set the timer accordingly. Heck, something as basic as a pool pump timer might work. But being the geek that I am, I'm now thinking digital - maybe like a programable thermostat with weekday and weekend modes. As my father-in-law like to say, someone please step in an protect me from myself. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Your main point, though, is well taken. Does not make sense for the pump to run continuously when no one is home or when everyone is sleeping.
Also, I'll check with the plumber about 1 large vs 2 medium heaters. Your arguement, again, makes sense.
Nasty,
Thanks for the suggestion. We did consider something like you mentioned and opted to forego the Victorian look. I do like Victorian homes but we are trying to get a more farmhouse look. Having said that, as things have progressed, I'm not sure we are going to end up with the look we originally had in mind. The tall facade is making it appear a little more "stately" than I had hoped. Maybe when the lap siding goes up the appearance will revert to a more simple-looking structure. My guess now, though, is that it will be an attractive home with no identifiable architectural style. Hind of a mongrel or mutt home.
Thanks again for the tip.
Thanks for the suggestion. We did consider something like you mentioned and opted to forego the Victorian look. I do like Victorian homes but we are trying to get a more farmhouse look. Having said that, as things have progressed, I'm not sure we are going to end up with the look we originally had in mind. The tall facade is making it appear a little more "stately" than I had hoped. Maybe when the lap siding goes up the appearance will revert to a more simple-looking structure. My guess now, though, is that it will be an attractive home with no identifiable architectural style. Hind of a mongrel or mutt home.
Thanks again for the tip.
