Pennsylvania New Home Build Thread. An attempt.

[Pixguy]

Have you treated it with ice melt and if so how did it react?

We have used calcium chloride at times just to get it down to the bare deck but it was only to get to the grill because we exited out a garage and rarely used the deck in the winter. We saw no problem using it on the composite materials.

 

[ovrszd]

We have used calcium chloride at times just to get it down to the bare deck but it was only to get to the grill because we exited out a garage and rarely used the deck in the winter. We saw no problem using it on the composite materials.

Good stuff Pix.

 

[MGH PA]

I've framed out our guest bed/bath in the basement. Electric is 95% roughed in as is plumbing (just waiting on my wife's decision on shower hardware so I can rough in the mixing valve and shower head). Then I'm ready for drywall.

We also started dropping trees to begin work on adding the circle to our driveway at the house.

 

[kenmbz]

How are you keeping the dust out. Everything looks so clean?

 

[EddieWalker]

I've never lived in a house with a basement and the few times that I have actually been in basement, I was just a kid, so my memory of them isn't very good. How do you finish off the ceiling in there with all your plumbing lines hanging below the ceiling?

 

[MGH PA]

How are you keeping the dust out. Everything looks so clean?

My cut station is just outside the sliding door from the basement

I sweep and vacuum a lot since my kids play down there all of the time. I don't want them stepping on a cable staple or other sharp objects.

 

[MGH PA]

I've never lived in a house with a basement and the few times that I have actually been in basement, I was just a kid, so my memory of them isn't very good. How do you finish off the ceiling in there with all your plumbing lines hanging below the ceiling?

Luckily this is the only area of the basement where we have a lot of plumbing hanging down. You can use a drop ceiling, but I personally don't care for their looks, so I'm going to frame out my own drop ceiling with ~2' x 4' drywall sections that are removable.

Kind of like this:

 

[EddieWalker]

That's going to look really nice. I never thought of a drop ceiling.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

you've been busy! That drop ceiling will look nice.

 

[MGH PA]

Other than some wiring, framing in an office for my wife, and two sheets of drywall hung, the basement project has been put on hold until lumber prices stabilize. Attention is being moved to the outside. I spent some time this winter downing some trees on the property to allow more morning sun in as well as open up a spot for a future garden. I dropped the trees in the winter, limbed them, and let them sit for the deer to browse and I'm glad I did as our winter was bad here. Now that the snow is gone, I spent a day and skidded everything and pushed the tops into a pile to be burned.

 

[Sigarms]

Luckily this is the only area of the basement where we have a lot of plumbing hanging down. You can use a drop ceiling, but I personally don't care for their looks, so I'm going to frame out my own drop ceiling with ~2' x 4' drywall sections that are removable.

Kind of like this:

GREAT idea on the drop ceiling.

 

[EddieWalker]

Very nice view!!!

 

[oosik]

I built our house from scratch here. I know the hard work and headaches. You have built a very fine house. You and your wife should be very happy and proud of all the work. It will be a very fine place to build lasting memories.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

That is a spectacular view. I have family in Luzzerne. Spent a lot of summer vacations there in the 1970’s

 

[MGH PA]

So a side question. My driveway is still the original shale base from initial construction of the road two years ago. It's holding up fine with the exception of two spots during heavy rain. In the pictures below you can see where water is pooling on the side. I'm wondering what my best approach here would be. A pipe? The road will eventually be built up as budget allows (6" of compacted sub base on top of Geo), but hoping to address this issue now if I can.

 

[kenmbz]

Maybe a runoff trench or wide swale since it looks like a down slope right where the pools are.

 

[EddieWalker]

You need a ditch. Wide and shallow.

 

[MGH PA]

My plan this summer was to wrap all remaining posts and beams in 3/4" cedar, but given how much prices have risen, I'm thinking of postponing. A lot of things I'm reading are saying to expect a retreat in prices in about 18 months, but other experts claim that we most likely won't ever see pre-covid pricing on building materials. It's a tough spot, because I hate the unfinished look, but I also don't want to spend a fortune just due to price gouging. The picture below was from last spring when I was finishing the deck.

I had wrapped the main deck roof posts/beams with Timbertech fasica, but it's super $$$ and I don't have the budget to wrap everything else in it:

 

[Steppenwolfe]

That is a spectacular view. I have family in Luzzerne. Spent a lot of summer vacations there in the 1970’s

My wife is from Luzerne County; Harvey's Lake area... in the 70's as well!

 

[Steppenwolfe]

My plan this summer was to wrap all remaining posts and beams in 3/4" cedar, but given how much prices have risen, I'm thinking of postponing. A lot of things I'm reading are saying to expect a retreat in prices in about 18 months, but other experts claim that we most likely won't ever see pre-covid pricing on building materials. It's a tough spot, because I hate the unfinished look, but I also don't want to spend a fortune just due to price gouging. The picture below was from last spring when I was finishing the deck.

View attachment 695755

I had wrapped the main deck roof posts/beams with Timbertech fasica, but it's super $$$ and I don't have the budget to wrap everything else in it:

View attachment 695756

That's sweet. What manufacturer did you use for the decking? I'm ready to re do mine.