<p>We have been very busy trying to meet two different types of deadlines. The final roof shingle installation is on Saturday so we wanted to make sure that we finished everything that will be poking out of the roof - so that it gets proper flashing and vent cover. This means we had to finish all the bathroom fan venting through the roof and all of the drain ABS venting through the roof. So we have to finish the plumbing in the main bathroom to have the vents connected properly. We will work on copper water plumbing next week.</p>
<p>Meanwhile we are desperately trying to muscle through all of the anchor bolts and hold downs required for all the crazy shear walls in the engineering plans. It is absolutely ridiculous because we have to drill down through the base plate above the floor in order to get about 12" down to the original concrete stem walls and THEN try to drill 7-9" into the concrete stem wall. The original 1936 stem wall actually had anchor bolts but they are 1/2" anchor bolts. But NO!! we have to install 5/8" anchor bolts (1/8" difference). Unfortunately we have to try to drill these down into concrete right next to the original 1/2" bolts. We are having a hard time finding drill bits long enough to get down into the concrete and now we are stopped because we think we have hit original rebar and have to go get a $100 extra long special steel cutting bit. This is beyond stupid. We are under the gun because I have to have a “Special Inspector” that I pay to come watch us put epoxy into the holes with the threaded rods. I guess they don’t trust anyone to blow out the dust and put epoxy into the holes themselves. He has to watch every single one get installed. This all has to be signed off before the City Inspector can come inspect our framing.</p>
<p>I was very lucky and found a window and door installer that is excellent. I decided that my small team is just not going to get everything done as fast as we need to get done. So today we got the dining room French Door, kitchen sliding window and small bathroom window all installed. He’s going to come back on Sunday and finish with some other windows and doors.</p>
<p>Crawled around behind the Utility Room and got the 5/8" drywall fire wall and cement siding installed. This needed to get done because we had to cut the eaves off in the back - nothing can overhang due to firewall restrictions. The wood eaves are covered by the 5/8" drywall and cement siding. Had to get this all done so that the roof flashing can get installed over the lip before shingles go down on Saturday. Took the two small guys a long time to get this done. The reason it was difficult is because normally you can see/feel the studs behind the siding as you put the pieces on from the ground up. But, because of the 5/8" drywall and thick moisture barrier they couldn’t see the studs to screw the siding into (because of original structure, studs are not exactly 16" centerline as normal, some are 15", etc). Lots of missed screws and someone had to go back inside the room and yell “1/2” to left, 1/2" to right". finally they got the brilliant idea to draw a pencil line after each piece of siding got installed. </p>
<p>After the new kitchen window got installed I saw that we have an eyesore. As a Buyer is walking through from the living room and turning into the kitchen, the view from the kitchen window is eastward towards the back Utility Room. The metal retaining fence is a giant eyesore!!! Until they turn northward, as if standing at the kitchen sink. Then the view is WOW again. I may have to paint that metal fence to reduce the glaring eyesore as Buyers walk through.</p>
<p>New Photos Loaded - check out the eyesore through the kitchen window</p>
<p>Could you put some type of attractive plants in front of the fence and/or even on top of of it (like a window box sort of structure) with some pretty flowering thing that hangs down.</p>
<p>The fence view wasn’t as bad as I expected from your description. I agree with swimcatmom and notrichenough re plantings. I think just a little natural distraction will take care of this issue.</p>
<p>I wish I could do some plantings but because of the wide concrete footing for the retaining wall under the metal fence, I cannot plant anything on the inside of the fence between fence and back room. That means I would have to plant something somewhat tall more westerly. That would block the view from the office and the view is really nice. So maybe we can spray some paint on the back of the metal portion so it will blend in more.</p>
<p>Dang, roofing guy got called by his regular job and he might be able to come and finish on Sunday. Today was spent driving around to major equipment rental places trying to find the right extra long drill bit that can get our holes drilled for special Simpson Strong Wall holdowns. We finally succeeded in getting 9" down through stem wall past some 1936 original anchor bolts made of steel. More of the engineering requirement ridiculousness. $60 to rent special drill bit to drill two holes! </p>
<p>Thanks so much for vote of confidence on fence. I’m going to wait for my agent to visit to see what she thinks before I waste time and more money on that dang fence! </p>
<p>Very frustrating day. Roofing team didn’t come yesterday but the entire team showed up this morning. But after only one hour a neighbor came to the door (from a block away) and complained about the noise on a Sunday. I had to do the nice thing and stop the rooters and send them all home. Had to pay them for their time to get nothing done. Now I have to wait another week until Saturday to get the roof installed.</p>
<p>Meanwhile the core team worked quietly the rest of the day doing plumbing.</p>
<p>There is an ordinance that prohibits construction noise on Sundays. We were very careful not to start any noise until 9am. He could legally call the police if he wants. Have no idea what they do about homeowners trying to staple up their Xmas lights or something. Construction noise allowed 7am to 7pm Monday through Saturday. You’d think the dang roofing guy could just show up somewhere between those hours :)</p>