Day 13 -- Pump it, Pump it

Okay, first of all, Andrea and Layne both wanted more detail on what's going on in the kitchen. I guess I should have made it clear that we don't have a roof, but we still have a ceiling. The most damage that has been done to the kitchen is that the canned lighting is starting to pop out. So as far as cooking and things go, the kitchen is still perfectly equipped for it. The problem is that for the past few days, our AC has been disconnected. 84 degree weather and no AC is not conducive to cooking. We've done pizza, Chinese, Olive Garden and today we went to Leatherby's.....mmmmm.....chocolate peanut butter ice cream.


As far as the work today goes, they kicked butt! We had a ton of people here today. They were able to finish framing out the bond beam mold in time for the city inspector to come by and not only inspect the mold, but also the footing holes in the basement. Then the pump truck showed up. I've never seen a pump truck, so maybe they're all this big, but this thing dwarfed our already tiny house.

They pumped the concrete into the basement to finish both footings and also finished the bond beam today. We really have to hand it to DAYT, D-Construct, and Badger Construction for all the great work they've done so far and so fast. I hope they can keep working as fast this week -- there's a chance of rain on Friday.

Day 11 -- Opinion Poll: Exterior Colors

Saturday: no work today. Brian and I were thinking about exterior paint colors, though. We really like the initial drawings that RDC did. This is pretty close to what the final plan will look like from the North. The brick stays the existing color, the new siding and shakes are tan, the windows are brown and the window trim and other trim is white. The roof shingles are a brown similar to what we have now. This is the color pallette we're thinking about. The only other alternative I'm thinking of is a lighter yellow for the siding and shakes. Anyone out there have any other ideas?

Day 10 -- A Size 9 Skylight

Today wasn't the best day so far. First, we were unable to make our goal of pouring the bond beam today. The new goal is Monday. We also heard that the plumbing that was found right in the middle of where the second footing is supposed to go is not going to be easy to get around. They're talking with Ed from RDC and the engineers at Canyons Engineering to figure out Plan B. They're hoping to pour the footing a foot lower and just extend the post that is supposed to be there down to it -- we'll see. The last event of the day was that we found a new skylight in our bedroom closet :). It is nice to have some light in there.

Day 9 -- Bond Beam Basics

Today they started framing for the bond beam. I got a couple questions on what exactly a bond beam is, so I'll try to explain it here. Since our house is brick masonry built in 1937, it's not exactly earthquake-proof. The bond beam is one thing that will help stablize it in the event of an earthquake. It is a concrete layer poured around the perimeter of the house on top of the bricks. This will help hold the house together. We will also be adding a few supports in the existing walls to help stablize it latterally. We're hoping the framing will be complete by tomorrow so we can pour the concrete tomorrow afternoon. That way it can cure over the weekend and we don't have to waste time waiting for it next week.

In addition to the framing, another footing was dug today -- this time in our lovely downstairs "master bedroom". Since our interim bedroom is a little dusty, we're going to Grandma's house for the night.

Day 8 -- There's a hole in my basement, dear Liza

Today they started digging the holes in the basement for the new footings. It is amazing how much dust gets everywhere during a renovation. We had to clean all the floors in the whole house just to keep the dust down. This morning we met with Cody from Pella windows and decided on the windows and french doors for the balcony. They are wood with a brown aluminum casing exterior (to match the existing windows).

They also were able to take down the south gable without having to demolish the chimney -- yea! We also got some materials to start framing tomorrow. The goal is to get the framing ready for the bond beam tomorrow, have the bond beam and footings poured on Friday so they can cure over the weekend and then start framing the addition on Tuesday. I can't believe how fast these guys are moving! And they are being extra, extra accommodating to help us stay living here while all this is going on.

Day 7 -- Was that supposed to happen?

I came home today and when I saw the progress, my first thought was "Was that supposed to happen?" The front gable over the door is now gone...it's not supposed to be. We're guessing that they had to take it down in preparation for the bond beam to be poured.

I just wasn't expecting it. We have enough bricks from the demolished gables that it won't be a big deal to rebuild it. The east gable came down today as well as the chimney in the center of the house.





I climbed up on the roof of the back porch to get a view from above. I can already tell that our view from our balcony is going to be pretty cool. I can't believe how much progress DAYT has made in one week!

Day 6 -- No Turning Back

Whoa. We're past the point of no return....gulp. They got quite a bit accomplished today. Two of the 4 brick gables that need to be demolished have come down. We now have nothing that even resembles a roof.

Lucky for us, the 10 day forecast looks pretty dang good!
Can you believe that? I know...I know...I shouldn't count on it, but that's pretty awesome, don't you think?