I’ve Become a Flasher

Okay, electrical is still not done…but we’re not going to talk about that right now;-)  It is moving along slowly but surely and we are continuing to finish up miscellaneous tasks that need to be done prior to siding being installed.  That would include my latest project — window flashing.  Our window installers did an okay job of installing flashing but I wish I would have been on site to see the entire process.  After watching the link below, I’m not completely sure they caulked the windows in addition to applying the flashing.  I also know for sure that it was “damp” the day they installed windows which is NOT a good idea when you are applying peel and stick.  They did a great job on 90% of the windows but the other 10% were just sloppy and rushed.

I got to hang out on the roof again and reflash windows where the peel and stick either wasn’t sticking adequately or where we had some windows that were moved and the house wrap had been damaged.  It was actually pretty fun and I know that my windows and home are better protected if water happens to get under the siding/trim.  Check out the link below on how to be the best flasher you can be…

Peel & Stick Window Flashing – HGTV Pro Best Practices

Side porch windows properly flashed with peel & stick window flashing

HINDSIGHT IS 20/20:  I have learned to add 2-4 weeks to everyone’s estimate as to when something will be done…at least.  Just when I think this thing is going to take off, we get stalled on the runway.  This home has been dreamed about and prayed for and I simply want to live there;-)

Digging Right Along

Right Side of Basement Midweek

Excavation is rolling right along thanks to some great weather towards the end of last week.  The basement walls went into production on Friday and should be installed late this week (weather dependent of course).  We decided to go with precast concrete walls for many reasons — Rusty has done extensive research regarding this decision.  If you Google it, you will find good and bad — but you will find good and bad with any foundation system you decide to go with.  I will do an entire blog post on the foundation once we have pics of the installation.

Right Side of Basement - Friday 3/18

A soil engineer will be performing a soil density test tomorrow, gravel will go in after that, so on and so forth;-)  I learned last week that drier is better when it comes to performing a soil density test.  Basically what the engineer will be looking for is that we are building on undisturbed soil that can support the weight of the house.

Left Side of Basement - Midweek

HINDSIGHT IS 20/20:  We should have ordered our windows earlier…I think.  We were delayed closing on the sale of our home and we were hesitant to place any large orders until that was signed, sealed and delivered.  We didn’t have control over this one so we’ll wait and see;-)

Left Side of Basement - Friday 3/18

Basement From Lower Drive - 3/20

Will Dancing