Rock On

For the past several weeks, John has been working on installing the sheetrock. It seems endless. Attaching it to the studs is just the beginning. Taping and "mudding" (a.k.a. applying joint compound to smooth the edges, seams, and nail holes; then doing it all over again...and again, then sanding, and touchup), has been his daily activity for a while now. Let's just say that he knows every inch and corner of our walls very well ;-)

The good news is that it's finished! Better yet, we have saved thousands of dollars doing it ourselves versus hiring a subcontractor, which was our original intent to save time. Two of our wonderful neighbors (you know them well by now), Paul and David, helped out. Once again, many thanks to you guys!

Paul and John started with the upstairs ceilings which had to be done prior to insulating. After insulating was completed, John and David, with the assist of a drywall lift, started the drywall installation. Here's David pulling another 4x12 foot sheet to cut:

He seems to be enjoying himself...

This piece goes on the kitchen wall where the sink will be:

John and his screw gun in action:

John and his RotoZip rout out the excess sheetrock around a window:

Remember John "contemplating" the skylights last January? Here's a follow-up photo. It looks like he's figured what to do with them now:

Sheetrock defines the rooms and walls:

Eileen helps fill nail holes:

Meanwhile John has been rotating through the house applying joint compound to smooth the edges, seams, and nail holes; then doing it all over again...and again, then sanding, and touchup. After the first week, he dreams of being a carpenter again....

Finally it's ready for a "mud roll" (sounds like Woodstock). A mud roll is watered down joint compound that is rolled onto the sheetrock surface with a paint roller. It's then immediately troweled off. This creates a consistent smooth surface that's ready for paint. Paul returns to help John finish this final prep of the sheetrock:

Now the walls are ready for primer and finish coats of paint.

Meanwhile During March & April... (continued)

Where were we? Oh yes, we're still catching up on the progress during March and April while the heater was being built. We've covered plumbing, HRV, electric wiring (actually this wasn't covered, but it was done), flood management, numerous decisions (i.e. where to put lights and switches), etc., etc.
John took the soffit boards that Rachel had painted, created a custom design and drilled ventilation holes in them. The holes then needed painting on the inside. Our dear friend Sarah, (remember "Tired of that 'cooped-up' feeling? Try Sarah's Fresh Air Eggs today!"), took on the challenge as she really wanted to contribute to our house building. Sick and weak as she was, she was determined and painted over 600 holes! Then with the help from her six year old son, they stapled screening to the back of each board. Well done! (BTW, Sarah is feeling much better now.)
Here's a view of the installed soffit vents:


Some spots were tight so John folded himself up to fit in the corner:


The cellulose insulation crew arrived:

This is the hopper/blower machinery in the rear of the truck that blows the cellulose through a large hose into the house:

Before insulating, the walls were prepped with fabric and furring to hold the cellulose:

One of the installers fills the stud bays

The attic has 18 inches of cellulose. These pipes are for future solar hot water, wiring, and radon mitigation (if necessary).

The walls are finished. They have 8 inches of cellulose.

Spring arrived and the tree canopy is budding:

During a break, Mr. Bean (shown viewing a beaver lodge), and Ei enjoy a nature hike.

The next post will cover a favorite: SHEETROCK and JOINT COMPOUND!