Day 98: Solar install, shower and final preparations for interior plastering

The folks from Independent Energy Systems began installing the PV solar panel racks on the roof - pic 1 below. They also installed the inverter (left) in the utility room next to the main distribution panel (right) - pic 2 below.


Joshua poured mortar on the shower floor and created a surface that tapers down slightly from the outside edges to the drain.

We completed applying masking tape and plastic sheet around the perimeter of the building in preparation for interior plastering. Thanks for reading. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Day 97: Preparation for interior plastering

We spent the day doing the following tasks in preparation for interior plastering.

• Completed cutting and installing diamond mesh metal lath to the interior edge of the top plate and around the entry door
• Completed applying plastic sheet and masking tape to the curved beams and electrical boxes
• Fabricated blocks that simulate the windowsills during plastering. These blocks are needed because the wood that will be used to fabricate windowsills will not be dry and ready to finish until summer, 2010. They will allow the plaster to be molded around where the windowsills will eventually mount.
  
• Swept the walls to remove any loose debris
• Swept the floors to remove a month’s worth of construction debris
• Started applying masking tape and plastic sheet around the perimeter of the building

I'll close with two pics of the redwood casing I mentioned in Tuesday’s post. Thanks for reading. I appreciate your comments.

Day 92: Drywall joint compound and plaster preparation

The Consolidated Drywall folks applied joint compound to the drywall seams, screws and electrical box openings. Here is a pic looking east from the kitchen.

More plaster preparation tasks completed today:

• Joshua installed diamond mesh metal lath at the intersection of the north wall and porch roof
• We covered the soffits and one remaining window on the north wall using plastic sheet and masking tape
• Raphael set up burlap along the south wall to shade the lime plaster while drying
  

Thanks for reading. I appreciate your comments.

Day 91: Plaster preparation and shower enclosure

In the continuing saga of plaster preparation, Trevor started to set up scaffolding along the south and west walls. I applied masking tape and plastic sheet to the interior of all windows and all doors except one.

Trevor and Raphael installed HardieBacker 500 board to the shower enclosure. This material will support the shower tiles. Below is a pic looking at the south and west walls of the enclosure. Thanks for reading. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Day 90: Plaster preparation

We did more plaster preparation tasks again Monday.

• Joshua completed installing diamond mesh metal lath around the interior window frames
• I applied masking tape and protective paper to 2 ledgers to prevent plaster contamination
• Trevor set up scaffolding along the east wall
• Trevor applied masking tape and plastic sheet to the exterior of the east windows and soffit

Here is a pic of the east wall almost ready for plastering

The spiral staircase from Stocklin Iron in Santa Rosa, CA was delivered today.

Thanks for reading. I enjoy reading your comments.

Day 89: Plaster preparation, continued

We are getting closer to being ready for plastering. Here is the list of plaster preparation tasks we worked on Friday.

• Trevor continued filling electrical and plumbing channels in the walls to provide a level surface for plastering
• Joshua continued applying diamond mesh metal lath to the interior windows
• I completed applying foam insulation to cracks and holes in the walls
• Trevor applied masking tape and plastic sheet to the northeast corner windows to keep plaster off the glass and frames
• Trevor installed a metal door and frame over the fire sprinkler valve on the north wall
  
• Trevor removed soil from the east wall to a point approximately 6 inches below the final grade

To prepare for erosion control during winter rains, I spread, raked in and watered seed on the steeper slopes. I look forward to seeing it sprout in the coming weeks. Thanks for reading. I appreciate your comments.