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The Log House Project
- Thread starter NancysToy
- Start date
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
A Quick Tour
Today was a State holiday! Well, it was really the opening day of firearm deer season, so two-thirds of the able-bodied male population was out in the woods, and not on our job. The electricians showed, however, and got a lot done with nobody in the way. With the carpenters busy cutting logs and trim in the garage since the floor was poured, and no good place to set their ladders prior to that, the electricians had not been able to rough-in the garage until now. Nancy and I stayed busy with cleanup, ditch repair, caulking, and putting up some OSB so the electricians could wire the well.
I decided it was time to do a quick tour again, so you could see how the overall house is taking shape, and get a feel for how it sits on the land. It is easier to see the lot with the leaves gone. Still a very pretty view from the deck. The only drawback is that we can see our neighbor for six months of the year.
Today was a State holiday! Well, it was really the opening day of firearm deer season, so two-thirds of the able-bodied male population was out in the woods, and not on our job. The electricians showed, however, and got a lot done with nobody in the way. With the carpenters busy cutting logs and trim in the garage since the floor was poured, and no good place to set their ladders prior to that, the electricians had not been able to rough-in the garage until now. Nancy and I stayed busy with cleanup, ditch repair, caulking, and putting up some OSB so the electricians could wire the well.
I decided it was time to do a quick tour again, so you could see how the overall house is taking shape, and get a feel for how it sits on the land. It is easier to see the lot with the leaves gone. Still a very pretty view from the deck. The only drawback is that we can see our neighbor for six months of the year.
PCBeachBum
New member
Looks great Scotty and have been following your progress and looking forward to seeing it finished. :thumbup: As for the neighbor at least they are not right outside your door. I really miss that living here but I do enjoy the weather here except when its in the 90's.
PrairieSpyder
New member
I finally got to looking at all your videos. I am so impressed with your house and know your guys are eager to get moved into it. Just watching the vids today, from excavation to the current state, makes me anxious for you to get it done. Thanks for sharing the progress with us.
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
First Log Wall
I haven't been out at the property the last couple of days, although Nancy was. I had doctor's and dentist's appointments, did the grocery shopping, and had to pick up the leaves while the weather permitted. I did go out for a while today, though, before we came back home and finished the leaves.
After we left Friday, they hooked up temporary power to the well. Monday the Amish carpenters missed work...they couldn't get a ride. Their designated driver was sick. He was better Tuesday, however. Tuesday they got a lot of the windows and doors trimmed, and several more corners installed. The corners take some pretty exact fitting and some pretty tricky cuts, so they take a while. They installed the reamaining window, in the garage (attic) gable. They also fitted more logs to the garage end wall. This morning they finished that wall. It is our first complete log wall. It looks great, even though it is not stained.
They were working on the south wall when we left. I have to pick up some vent heads for them for tomorrow, and a few other things. I did not like the vinyl vent heads the mechanical contractor proposed. I prefer metal. Plastic houses are for toy train layouts. :roflblack: We got our flooring quote and it was a bit higher than we wished. We are making a few changes to try to bring the cost within bounds. We have not made any significant changes on the house, and the flooring was never specified, so I don't think this counts against us. I hate change orders, so I have tried to plan well and avoid any changes along the way. Other than shortening the kitchen island and moving it a bit closer to the kitchen cabinets, the house is being built just as the plans show it.
I haven't been out at the property the last couple of days, although Nancy was. I had doctor's and dentist's appointments, did the grocery shopping, and had to pick up the leaves while the weather permitted. I did go out for a while today, though, before we came back home and finished the leaves.
After we left Friday, they hooked up temporary power to the well. Monday the Amish carpenters missed work...they couldn't get a ride. Their designated driver was sick. He was better Tuesday, however. Tuesday they got a lot of the windows and doors trimmed, and several more corners installed. The corners take some pretty exact fitting and some pretty tricky cuts, so they take a while. They installed the reamaining window, in the garage (attic) gable. They also fitted more logs to the garage end wall. This morning they finished that wall. It is our first complete log wall. It looks great, even though it is not stained.
They were working on the south wall when we left. I have to pick up some vent heads for them for tomorrow, and a few other things. I did not like the vinyl vent heads the mechanical contractor proposed. I prefer metal. Plastic houses are for toy train layouts. :roflblack: We got our flooring quote and it was a bit higher than we wished. We are making a few changes to try to bring the cost within bounds. We have not made any significant changes on the house, and the flooring was never specified, so I don't think this counts against us. I hate change orders, so I have tried to plan well and avoid any changes along the way. Other than shortening the kitchen island and moving it a bit closer to the kitchen cabinets, the house is being built just as the plans show it.
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
Danger, Will Robinson!
Today we almost had a disaster. More on that later. The carpenters split into two pairs, with one pair finishing the logs on the south gable and the other two starting logs on the north side of the house and garage. That is our longest wall at 66 feet. The helper continued putting up window and door flashing and putting up window trim. I finished putting temporary railings on the deck and stairs...after shuttling my son from the alignment shop where he dropped off his Infiniti.
It was cold (about 20 with a 25 mph wind) and snowy, but there were just flurries in the morning so things were not slippery after they cleared the inch of snow. Work progressed pretty well...but it was much more pleasant out of the wind. The carpenters kept at it past noon, but I elected to warm up my truck and eat there. As I looked up, I saw one young carpenter straining to put up the last piece on the south peak. His efforts pushed one scaffold ladder away from the wall and he fell about 20 feet to the frozen ground! He landed on his feet, and did not lose consciousness. He got up and walked to a lumber pile to sit down and collect his wits in less than a minute, exclaiming "Nothing seems to be broken!" He actually worked after lunch, but moved like an old man. He is one very lucky fellow!!!
I had a long talk with the lead carpenter about safety in general, unsafe practices, and using the right methods and gear. They have the gear and know better, but the young pup got in a hurry. I did not see how they were trying to do things until seconds before he fell, or I would have reeled them in. The lead carpenter was working on the opposite side of the building, but did check on them periodically. He didn't see what they tried to do either. Things were OK shortly before, but he did warn them to take down the scaffold and extend a single ladder...which they failed to do.
Needless to say I will be watching more than working for a while, until I see that they have improved, and learned their lessons. My builder will probably spend more time on the job, too. I am so thankful that nobody was hurt badly. It could have been a disaster as easily as not.
Today we almost had a disaster. More on that later. The carpenters split into two pairs, with one pair finishing the logs on the south gable and the other two starting logs on the north side of the house and garage. That is our longest wall at 66 feet. The helper continued putting up window and door flashing and putting up window trim. I finished putting temporary railings on the deck and stairs...after shuttling my son from the alignment shop where he dropped off his Infiniti.
It was cold (about 20 with a 25 mph wind) and snowy, but there were just flurries in the morning so things were not slippery after they cleared the inch of snow. Work progressed pretty well...but it was much more pleasant out of the wind. The carpenters kept at it past noon, but I elected to warm up my truck and eat there. As I looked up, I saw one young carpenter straining to put up the last piece on the south peak. His efforts pushed one scaffold ladder away from the wall and he fell about 20 feet to the frozen ground! He landed on his feet, and did not lose consciousness. He got up and walked to a lumber pile to sit down and collect his wits in less than a minute, exclaiming "Nothing seems to be broken!" He actually worked after lunch, but moved like an old man. He is one very lucky fellow!!!
I had a long talk with the lead carpenter about safety in general, unsafe practices, and using the right methods and gear. They have the gear and know better, but the young pup got in a hurry. I did not see how they were trying to do things until seconds before he fell, or I would have reeled them in. The lead carpenter was working on the opposite side of the building, but did check on them periodically. He didn't see what they tried to do either. Things were OK shortly before, but he did warn them to take down the scaffold and extend a single ladder...which they failed to do.
Needless to say I will be watching more than working for a while, until I see that they have improved, and learned their lessons. My builder will probably spend more time on the job, too. I am so thankful that nobody was hurt badly. It could have been a disaster as easily as not.
MarkLawson
RT-S PE#0031
Wow Scotty, glad to hear the young man is alright! Just one more thing to list as you sit around the Thanksgiving table and consider your blessings.
Bob Denman
New member
:yikes: He's gonna be sore today... Glad to hear that he survived the initial mistake.
:lecturef_smilie: You can't make a mistake fast enough; to make up for the healing time that will be involved! :lecturef_smilie:
:lecturef_smilie: You can't make a mistake fast enough; to make up for the healing time that will be involved! :lecturef_smilie:
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
Sorry I didn't check in yesterday. I had to make the pumpkin pies for today's trip to Nancy's parents' for our Thanksgiving celebration. Thanksgiving is pretty special to us this year. Last year we didn't have a family celebration, following Nancy's grandfather's death at age 100. The two of us went for a Spyder ride instead...and found our land. This is an anniversary of sorts in that respect, and we are grateful. It is also nice to have the family back together again. I have little family left, so Nancy's family is important to me.
We had only one crew of carpenters on the job yesterday. That is understandable after Marc took a fall Monday. He is OK. The doctor was amazed but pronounced him undamaged. He is very sore, however. A few days off will do him good. I imagine he is getting tired of the lectures on safe work practices, but he certainly has a lot to be thankful for today.
They continued to apply the logs to the north wall yesterday. It is our longest wall, being continuous with the garage. I left after lunch and it was less than halfway after two days. I expect they have 2-3 more days before they move on. We had to shovel about an inch of snow from overnight, but the sun shone nicely. Too bad they had to work in the shade. It was chilly! Monday they had the better of the sides, as they were out of the wind. The boys on the south side not only had 20 degree temperatures to contend with, but also 25-35 mph winds that brought the windchills near 10 much of the time.
I was pretty lazy yesterday. I shoveled, swept, and ran some errands for them, but I didn't work as hard as I typically do. The fireplace was delivered Tuesday, so it is ready for the mechanical contractor. He was supposed to show yesterday to start on the geothermal system, but he didn't. It would be nice to have heat (and insulation).
Happy Thanksgiving!
We had only one crew of carpenters on the job yesterday. That is understandable after Marc took a fall Monday. He is OK. The doctor was amazed but pronounced him undamaged. He is very sore, however. A few days off will do him good. I imagine he is getting tired of the lectures on safe work practices, but he certainly has a lot to be thankful for today.
They continued to apply the logs to the north wall yesterday. It is our longest wall, being continuous with the garage. I left after lunch and it was less than halfway after two days. I expect they have 2-3 more days before they move on. We had to shovel about an inch of snow from overnight, but the sun shone nicely. Too bad they had to work in the shade. It was chilly! Monday they had the better of the sides, as they were out of the wind. The boys on the south side not only had 20 degree temperatures to contend with, but also 25-35 mph winds that brought the windchills near 10 much of the time.
I was pretty lazy yesterday. I shoveled, swept, and ran some errands for them, but I didn't work as hard as I typically do. The fireplace was delivered Tuesday, so it is ready for the mechanical contractor. He was supposed to show yesterday to start on the geothermal system, but he didn't. It would be nice to have heat (and insulation).
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving
Scotty, you and Nancy will always have "family" as long as there are Spyders and Spyderlovers.
Thanks for all your help over the past 18 months since I've been a member of the Spyderlovers family.
Scotty, you and Nancy will always have "family" as long as there are Spyders and Spyderlovers.
Thanks for all your help over the past 18 months since I've been a member of the Spyderlovers family.
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
After a shortened week last week, we had a crew on the job again today. If we are going to beat the weather, we have to keep moving. I actually went out Friday and cut some trees, but I didn't stay long. The remainder of the day was spent chasing some of our selections and trying to make the budget balance. Today felt quite normal by comparison.
The progress is pretty boring at this point. We have over 5,700 linear feet of 4"x8" half logs to apply to the house. It goes pretty fast on the straight sections, and more slowly where the logs have to be cut to fit windows, doors, and especially the soffits. It takes a long time to make significant headway as a result. They got a lot done today, but there is still a day or two left on this wall...mostly high work with every piece fitted from here on.
I kept busy, too. I installed a temporary lockset in the rear garage door so we wouldn't have to screw it closed each night. I waterproofed the beams on the rear porch, to protect them until they can be covered next Spring. I also moved about a yard of gravel to backfill where they ran the water from the well to the house. A brief thaw in the afternoon allowed that. I have been waiting patiently for a thaw. Our ground has been frozen for a couple of weeks. I have about another yard of gravel to move, then I have to bring in a yard of crushed stone as a paver base. We have a lot of dirt to move. I really need a tractor. I looked at a nice Kubota wit a loader and backhoe last week, but with frozen ground it is probably not so practical right now. The money might be better spent on my pole barn.
I also had a chance to discuss a number of things with the builder. There are a number of things coming in above the allowances and we have to make some adjustments. Typical for these things, but still not pleasant. Our flooring and garage doors have both landed on us at once in that department. I am going to do some work myself to temper the costs...incuding making my own doors for the back of the garage. The builder isn't thrilled with that prospect. He feels he has let us down, but I keep explaining that I really prefer to have a hand in this job myself. My dad built his own house shortly after my parents were married. He even dug the basement by hand with a shovel and wheelbarrow. That's a bit more than I am willing to contribute, but I do like to get my hands dirty and I am skilled in a number of areas.
It is beginning to look like a log house, at any rate.
The progress is pretty boring at this point. We have over 5,700 linear feet of 4"x8" half logs to apply to the house. It goes pretty fast on the straight sections, and more slowly where the logs have to be cut to fit windows, doors, and especially the soffits. It takes a long time to make significant headway as a result. They got a lot done today, but there is still a day or two left on this wall...mostly high work with every piece fitted from here on.
I kept busy, too. I installed a temporary lockset in the rear garage door so we wouldn't have to screw it closed each night. I waterproofed the beams on the rear porch, to protect them until they can be covered next Spring. I also moved about a yard of gravel to backfill where they ran the water from the well to the house. A brief thaw in the afternoon allowed that. I have been waiting patiently for a thaw. Our ground has been frozen for a couple of weeks. I have about another yard of gravel to move, then I have to bring in a yard of crushed stone as a paver base. We have a lot of dirt to move. I really need a tractor. I looked at a nice Kubota wit a loader and backhoe last week, but with frozen ground it is probably not so practical right now. The money might be better spent on my pole barn.
I also had a chance to discuss a number of things with the builder. There are a number of things coming in above the allowances and we have to make some adjustments. Typical for these things, but still not pleasant. Our flooring and garage doors have both landed on us at once in that department. I am going to do some work myself to temper the costs...incuding making my own doors for the back of the garage. The builder isn't thrilled with that prospect. He feels he has let us down, but I keep explaining that I really prefer to have a hand in this job myself. My dad built his own house shortly after my parents were married. He even dug the basement by hand with a shovel and wheelbarrow. That's a bit more than I am willing to contribute, but I do like to get my hands dirty and I am skilled in a number of areas.
It is beginning to look like a log house, at any rate.
Attachments
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
Busy Day!
Day off yesterday for the carpenters. The lead carpenter's grandsons had oral surgery under anesthetic. Around three hours for each of them...Yech! Everything went well, though. The carpenters finished putting logs on the north wall today. This is our longest wall at 66 feet. That's a lot of logs! It put my heart in my throat to see Marc back up at the gable, after his fall from the other one, but things went well today. Tomorrow they should move to the back for the better part of a week.
The mechanical contractor was on site again. One guy worked on the fireplace installation. I had to chase some stack parts for him, and will have to do the same tomorrow. We guessed at what we needed from the drawings, but sometimes it works out differently in the field. They also started on the geothermal system. They are doing horizontal boring to install the tubes. It is a neat process. There is a transducer in the shaft head that relays the depth, direction, and pipe bend. They adjust the horizontal and lateral bends to guide the drill to the depth and location they want to achieve. They then run the bit back out of the ground about 200 feet away, hook on their pipe, and pull it back. It didn't go well on the first try. They hit a rock or something and went deep. On the pull back they caught and broke the drill pipe. Fortunately they were able to retrieve the drill head and transducer. They were trying again when I left at dusk. I hope it went better. This will take a few days, then more than a week to pressure test, dig a pit, tie together, and bore under the garage and basement to enter under the center of the basement floor.
Nancy and I worked hard, chasing parts, moving logs, emptying the water off the tarp covering the pole barn trusses and re-covering the trusses, and opening the ditches to shed the rain and digging to expose the cable TV conduit the electric company buried. The roofer finally got the skylift off site after their trailer broke an axle. They made more ruts in the process...but they are the last we will have to fix. I had some carpentry to do, but I didn't get to it between the builder and the contractors taking my day. The garage doors were finalized yesterday and ordered today. I will have to build the doors for the back, as the allowance was insufficient to cover the cost of the three doors. I'm thinking tongue & groove cedar.
Day off yesterday for the carpenters. The lead carpenter's grandsons had oral surgery under anesthetic. Around three hours for each of them...Yech! Everything went well, though. The carpenters finished putting logs on the north wall today. This is our longest wall at 66 feet. That's a lot of logs! It put my heart in my throat to see Marc back up at the gable, after his fall from the other one, but things went well today. Tomorrow they should move to the back for the better part of a week.
The mechanical contractor was on site again. One guy worked on the fireplace installation. I had to chase some stack parts for him, and will have to do the same tomorrow. We guessed at what we needed from the drawings, but sometimes it works out differently in the field. They also started on the geothermal system. They are doing horizontal boring to install the tubes. It is a neat process. There is a transducer in the shaft head that relays the depth, direction, and pipe bend. They adjust the horizontal and lateral bends to guide the drill to the depth and location they want to achieve. They then run the bit back out of the ground about 200 feet away, hook on their pipe, and pull it back. It didn't go well on the first try. They hit a rock or something and went deep. On the pull back they caught and broke the drill pipe. Fortunately they were able to retrieve the drill head and transducer. They were trying again when I left at dusk. I hope it went better. This will take a few days, then more than a week to pressure test, dig a pit, tie together, and bore under the garage and basement to enter under the center of the basement floor.
Nancy and I worked hard, chasing parts, moving logs, emptying the water off the tarp covering the pole barn trusses and re-covering the trusses, and opening the ditches to shed the rain and digging to expose the cable TV conduit the electric company buried. The roofer finally got the skylift off site after their trailer broke an axle. They made more ruts in the process...but they are the last we will have to fix. I had some carpentry to do, but I didn't get to it between the builder and the contractors taking my day. The garage doors were finalized yesterday and ordered today. I will have to build the doors for the back, as the allowance was insufficient to cover the cost of the three doors. I'm thinking tongue & groove cedar.
A
arntufun
Guest
What sold you on Geothermal ?????? VERY VERY expensive and takes many many years to start to see it payoff. I used to work for a company that does vertical Geothermal drilling/installs and it never really took off in my area due to the up front costs.
Your house is looking great Scotty........ :thumbup:
Your house is looking great Scotty........ :thumbup:
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NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
No natural gas available on the street and the payback is much quicker vs. propane. The 30% tax rebate helps, too. The costs for horizontal boring or trenching are much lower than for vertical wells at $16-$20 a foot. That can add $10,000-$15,000 to the cost in a heartbeat. Besides, if we are going to the trouble to build a house that is energy efficient, geothermal is the best available option right now, having the higest efficiency.
MarkLawson
RT-S PE#0031
Can you give those of us who are ignorant a brief tutorial of how it works? I'm assuming it is getting heat from the earth, but would like a better understanding.
Mark; the second video on post #148 explains it pretty clearly.
cuznjohn
New member
mark
if i get it right it draws water from a well drilled for it, than the pipe is run in a loop or section and recycled back to the well so it is maintaining a constant temp. summer and winter.
if i get it right it draws water from a well drilled for it, than the pipe is run in a loop or section and recycled back to the well so it is maintaining a constant temp. summer and winter.
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