These forums are so informative!! Desirae in Atlanta, GA

Plugging Along

Posted by Don & Kathy in Afton, VA on 6/18/2008 6:59:35 PM

We're still plugging along, juggling the myriad of things to be done...some days better than others! Our plumber finished up the first of last week, but we have had a few leaks when testing the DWV system, so he'll be back this Friday to hopefully fix those. The water pipes are good to go, but the DWV has been a pain! We've fixed (or tried to) and tested several times, but still not to 100%. Hopefully this weekend! Don did the acrobatic work of getting on the roof to put in the vents while Kathy nervously watched and tried not to watch at the same time. We bought a 20' extension ladder from someone in Lynchburg who was advertising on Craigslist and that was really a monster to try and maneuver into place. As Don put it, "this is a two-man job and you're not a man..." that sort of says it all!

We spent the weekend installing a central vacuum system which really wasn't too difficult once we figured out where to put everything. The only pain was trying to work around the ducts, plumbing, etc., but it worked out pretty well. The kit didn't come with enough low voltage wire though, so we still have to get some of that to completely finish it off. Seems kind of odd that you wouldn't get the same length of wire as you do pipe in the kit!

Our electrician who is doing a few things for us after his regular workday is here as we speak, wiring the generator. That will be a big item to cross off the list for sure. Now the only cables left to pull are for the telephone, TV, AV and thanks to the extreme helpfulness and generosity of an old friend, we should be able to get that all pulled by the end of the week. Talk about a small world, one of Kathy's childhood and teenage buddies (who she has not seen in about 30 years), happened to read this blog since he has just started his own O-B project, and after reading that we were starting to think about AV stuff, emailed to offer his help. Kathy put two and two together, and could not believe the coincidence! Although we're very thankful for the help of course, the greatest blessing is reconnecting with an old friend. THANK YOU, VICTOR!

We found someone to help refine the grading on the driveway side of the house... Don called him this morning, he showed up an hour later and after talking it all over, said he'd be right back with his backhoe... and he was! He did a fabulous job and will be back on Monday to do grading around the front. The timing has worked out really great on this, since the gas company is coming next Tuesday to bury our propane tank and run the line to the house.

We've also been getting some bids on the insulation and drywall this last week, trying to get that lined up. Hopefully those bids will all be in within the week so we can make some decisions. Just trying to stay ahead of the 8-ball.

Photos

Mr. Cash checks the pressure on the water line.	Don the acrobat on the roof.	Don works on the vent.
Grading between the house and the driveway to make a swale.