Building Update #30 - Insulation, Drywall, and Paint

Since our last blog post, Jake and his assorted related helpers have been busy.  Jake has been working 7 days a week 10 hours a day trying to get the Certificate of Occupancy before we have to be out of our rental apartment!  The succession of work below:

We used mineral wool insulation - it is hydrophobic, fire-proof, and easy to cut and install solo.

Drywall starts going up.  Don't ask how Jake and my Dad got this drywall up in the stairwell.  

My Dad hamming it up for the camera. Notice the proper personal protective equipment.  Safety first. 

Then comes the mudding and taping.  

Sanded, primed, and painted.  Jake decided to paint everything white to save time, and later we will choose colors when we have time and have lived there for a little while.  Jake was going for a Level 5 drywall  finish.  I was not allowed to ask how much time a Level 4 finish would have saved us...

Building Update #29: Siding, Stairs, Wiring

While I have been neglecting my duties as the blog updater, Jake has been working really hard on the house.  Since our last update, the exterior is complete, plumbing and wiring is roughed in, and this weekend Jake installed the stairs.  Once the stairs are complete, the next step will be a rough-in inspection by the City, and if we pass we will be able to start insulating and drywalling!

The view from the North-West corner.

The view from the South.

The view from the South-East corner

The view from the North-East Corner

The stairs going in.

The kitchen sink plumbing.

The upstairs bathroom plumbing.

Our Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) that constantly brings in fresh air and heats it with the exhaust air.

Building Update # 28 - 3 Walls Sided

Jake has been working literally non-stop until this weekend to get the siding on before the Spring rains start.  So far he has completed the West, East, and South walls.  The scaffolding is set up on the North wall, so he will be tackling that this week!

The South Side, completed this week.

The East Side.

The West Side.

Building Update #27 - Siding Complete on the West Wall

Jake has been battling "Snowmaggedon" to get the siding up.  His parents were here to help get it started, and my Dad has since assisted when able.  The West wall is one of the more complex sides to do since we have an attic access hatch which had to be installed.  Jake gets all the credit for the unique siding design!

The siding going up, the attic access hatch hadn't been cut out yet.

The attic hatch cut in and installed.

The finished product!

The East wall getting started.