The infamous Exxon Ansari incident was Day 2 after the contractors (we affectionately call them The Sombreros) started their work. Plus, this was after they incorrectly framed the bulkheads on Day 1. Not only did they not follow the "curve" of the bulkhead, but they didn't use a level!!! On Day 2, George let them borrow his nail gun (because they don't have one!), and we had them fix the framing so that it was as we expected... and it was level! So when they hit the oil line, it was because they were reframing the bulk head for a second time because they didn't do it right the first time. It's a little amusing that they had to reframe one of the sections for a 3rd time to replace the boards that had been soaked in oil.
There was a point on Exxon Ansari day that I thought I was going to fire them, but they have done very solid work since. Plus, each day, The Sombreros work a very fast paced 12 hour day. They work HARD. I give the a lot of credit for their work ethic, and they really are doing good work overall. I'm glad I didn't overreact and send them home.
On Day 3 (Wednesday), they framed 3 walls of the bathroom, and 2 walls of the kids' playroom. They also found George's radio, and turned to a Spanish station. This drove George BANANAS to listen to that all day while he worked on our plumbing. George hid his radio that night, and wanted to bring a CD player of Greek music... he didn't do that part, but he did hide his radio!!
Speaking of our re-plumbing project, George cut off our water midday on Wednesday to move the well connections, the water filters, the water softener, and the hot water heater. Not only was he moving all those things, but he was also installing the new laundry water connections as well as the new water pipes and connections in the new bathroom. Talk about a huge job. George thought it would take him at least 2 days, if not longer, and we would not have water for the duration of this part of the project. Bless his heart, he's been managing to keep us with running water for 90% of the project and with this being the last major part of the project, we knew we were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. That doesn't make it any easier to be without water for 2.5 days. To make those days a little more bearable, I filled three 5 gallon buckets with water before George shut it off so that we would water to "flush".
Steve worked from home to help George on Thursday and Friday in between work crises, including running errands, picking up supplies, and doing whatever he could to help. He even tried his hand at some plumbing. A couple times he did something incorrectly, and George "fired" him. The running joke now is how many times George has "fired" Steve. :-)
On Day 4 (Thursday), they started laying the subfloor in the kids' playroom and our new entertaining space. Unfortunately, they didn't have the right screws (and as we later found out, the wrong sized screw head) because they kept breaking. So they nailed the floor down instead of screwing it down as per spec. They also finished the 4th wall of the bathroom, and one wall of the laundry room.
Also on Thursday, we had not secured an electrician. I was trying to hire one of my neighbor's guys (who runs an electrical company) who is laid off, but that didn't pan out, unfortunately. I found someone else who not only took my call at 8:30PM on Thursday night, but came to the house at 10PM that night to give us an estimate. The one thing that was going to hold up the project was the electrical work because the
On Day 5 (Friday), they finished framing the rest of the entertaining space and the kids' playroom, and they installed the subfloor in Steve's toy room. Steve claims that it's "our" office, but really, it's going to be his playroom.
Meanwhile, sometime on Friday afternoon, George looked at him and said, "Are you helping me so that you can get your water back faster?" Steve said, "YES! I need to take a shower!!"
Friday evening, George turned the water back on to check for leaks. Between checking for leaks and flushing the pipes of all the silt, this took a while. Our new water sediment filter needed to be changed immediately!!!! We'll change it when we're fully done testing all of the new water connections in the new bathroom, too. We had to turn the water off again to flush the hot water tank out, and fix one leak (that's it just 1 leak!), but it was on again before George left for the evening. Steve finally got to take his shower.
Friday night, I used the gallon of Drylok ($23/each!! ouch!) to finish painting the back wall of the basement, and a few other spots I'd seen. I ran out of paint at 1:30AM, but I don't have much left. I bought one more gallon to touch up spots which I will do this weekend.
I ran laundry the next morning, and we discovered a 2nd leak at the hot water line for the washer which was, naturally, before the shutoff valve. We stuck a bucket underneath and figured George would fix it on Monday as it wasn't a significant leak. I also ran the dishwasher, and I realized that they hadn't turned on water to it. Steve went downstairs to do that, and it started spraying water everywhere!! Steve quickly shut it off again, and tightened the connection. Turned it back on, and voila, no leak. Steve learned a lot about plumbing, apparently, those few days he was home with George!
On Sunday, George came out with Ernie to look at our re-grading the outside job. Unfortunately, the job is not just a simple re-grade, but we also have to dig down to the bottom of stairs to install a new french drain. Then we'll have to add stones, then the new drain, then more stones, then fill the hole. Finish the job by regrading a few spots, and plant grass. That job will probably start July 9. For as much as it sucks that we have to do this job, too, if we don't, then we'll continuously have water in our basement, rendering worthless all this work we've done lately. It'll cost us more later if we don't do it right now. I'll keep telling myself that to ease the pain of all the check writing I've done lately.
This past Monday (Day 6), The Sombreros, the electrician, and George were at the house. The electrician fired up his phone to listen to music as while he moved the big 200 amp service line off of the ceiling and to the back wall of the house. The Sombreros framed Steve's toy room. George and Steve went to go buy a new back door and a few other supplies. Apparently, the new back door was strapped to the top of the Outback to be brought home. That must have been a sight!
On Tuesday (Day 7), the electrician started wiring new lines and lights. The Sombreros screwed down most of the subfloor (with the correctly sized screw head!). They also started to frame the support pole. George had another job, so he didn't come.
On Wednesday (Day 8), The Sombreros installed the new windows (no caulk yet, but shimmed). The electrician couldn't make it and neither could George.
On Thursday (Day 9), only the electrician came to continue installing new stuff. The Sombreros must have gone to another job as they really can't do much until the electrician has completed his work. Once he's done, they can start installing insulation and drywall.
On Friday (Day 10), all was quiet on the Western Front.
This weekend, we are working through plans for any other wiring that needs to be installed before insulation is installed, like speaker wire and any other RJ/coax wire. I need to finish DryLok painting, too. We are also trying to make sure we've thought through the project while the walls are still open.
We can't believe how far this project has already come in less than 10 working days. There is still a ton left, though... tile the bathroom, laundry room and hall to the bathroom and laundry room. Included in that tile work is installing underfloor heating in the bathroom. The Sombreros still need to install the back door, caulk the windows, frame one more support pole, and then install the insulation and hang the drywall. Once drywall is up, we are going to have a LOT to paint. Any flooring we buy will take 4 weeks to arrive.
Maybe, just maybe, we'll reach our goal of having this project done by Elektra's 3rd birthday.
