PB&J Twisp

 The metal roofing arrived and we put it off a few days while we finished up the framing.  Our inspection on Friday went very well.  We learned our lessons from the shop inspection (no return visits because we forgot critical blocking at sheeting seams) and do not need another inspection now until the plumbing and electrical are done. The inspector handed us a nice complement: (essentially) "The local contractors could learn a thing or two from your framing." Then Friday and Saturday we got into laying the metal roofing on the small roof. It has some special considerations as it butts up next to the garage on one side and the house on the other. Figuring out the transition ridge cap had Bill pondering how to keep water from running down the garage and house walls into the peak space, but now he says he has it figured out. Sunday and Monday we took on the big roof metal. From 6AM to 10 Sunday we cranked along pretty well, then the heat got to us. We took it on again from 6...

 Four days at making the transition trusses from attic to vaulted ceiling to accommodate insulation are now complete.  In addition, nailers for sheetrock were added to the top of walls that parallel the trusses where the truss and the walls were not in alignment. That done, we called for framing inspection for tomorrow. Sitting back in our deck chairs and evaluating our work, though, sparked yet another bit of inspired framing to be done: support for a door at the south end of the hallway to close off the bedrooms. South wall to laundry room Kitchen, hallway and entry, north side of living space

 The last two days have been spent creating a barrier wall from ceiling to truss height where the 9-ft ceiling over the bedrooms meets the vaulted ceiling over the north wall of the living area to carry batted insulation. The engineered plans did not include this important detail. We consulted with the engineer who said we could build what we needed without "engineering" as the loads were negligible. The same situation exists on the opposite south wall of the living area though it will be less finicky. If all goes well today and we finish both walls, we'll be able to call for the framing inspection this week.

 Up early again on Thursday to finish the north gable sheeting and had it done by 10 AM. We then packed up all the garbage and recyclables and headed for Anacortes where we hoped we would be able to pick up the little pickup from Wes Paul's where it was being evaluated, post new-engine install, for a lack-of-power issue. No luck; after having it a week, they were still scratching their heads trying to figure out the cause. We returned to Twisp Friday. Today, Saturday, Bill is off early to Priest River to attend a reunion of his ex-wife's family that his boys Will and John organized. He will return later today.

 At work by 6 AM sheeting and papering the little roof which we finished by noon. A light cloud cover and a light breeze kept the AM temperatures pleasant. Heat became uncomfortable after noon but at that time we were working inside putting up the last bracing in the rafters. Little roof sheeted and papered, facing west. Facing east

It got hot by mid day yesterday but we had gotten the vapor barrier on the roof and hurricane clips nailed at the truss intersections with the walls so we withdrew to the RV for a respite. Gail stopped by to see our progress and was impressed.  Porto-pot pump out happened, and, again it was at the three week mark.  No word from the garage door man when or if he will return to fix the two-times-broken part on the big garage door. Also waiting to hear back from the engineer regarding our proposed fix for the truss situation that doesn't provide for a insulation-able barrier between attic and vaulted ceiling. He initially okayed our plan as it's a non-bearing structure but he needs to tell us what beam  dimension we need to use to span the two distances across the main room. The wall should be up before we call for the framing inspection.  Vapor barrier on roof: check!

 We both were on the roof today; me pulling and re-nailing 80+ shiners (those pesky nails that missed the truss when nailed on the sheeting) and sweeping, and Bill trimming the plywood overhangs. While he was finishing up straightening the lines across the porch eaves, I re-nailed brackets (aka hurricane clips) that had been loosened to adjust trusses for the sheeting, and then I cut and put in the last 6 blocking pieces on the south gable end. We were going to staple the paper vapor barrier onto the roof, but the wind came up, so we'll get up early tomorrow and do it while it's calm. Bill also measured the roof lines from peak to eaves then went to North Valley Lumber in Winthrop to order the metal roofing. Trimming the sheeting overhang on the roof Westside roof looking good (at right, foyer roof yet to sheet)

 The temps were moderate and the company was welcome as we took on the sheeting of the roof.  John showed up with a girlfriend, shocking us both, though it's time he found a partner as Eric turns 18 tomorrow. Will and Sunita arrived shortly after them on Friday, and they too were surprised with the new addition to John's life.  John has been very cagey with this relationship since April saying Eric hasn't even met Miranda yet. So the roof got off to a rough start even though Bill had been very meticulous identifying with nails where the first row of boards should line up.  Will and John were on the roof placing the sheets, Bill on the ground feeding them up on his clever elevator contraption.  Once the first row was in place, I joined the team on the roof and used the nail gun to nail off.  At 5:00 the east side was done. As we started the day, a border collie showed up at the house dripping wet.  Fortunately it was collared so I called the owners who...

 Friday, July 1, garage door tech came to fix the big door.  He found the left winder was broken.  He replaced it, and then it broke, too.  He said he hadn't installed this type of door before so I'm wondering if a more experienced tech needs to work on it. I've suggested same to the owner but no response so far. After several days working in the rafters at height, we've got the lookouts, fascia and sub-fascia done.  Saturday, the 2nd, it rained all day. Sunday we waited until it was dry and got the lookouts done for the north gable.  Yesterday the 4th we put more steps and foot supports in the rafters to give us better purchase and completed the fascia and sub-fascia. More thunder and rain descended just as we were finishing up. Then hard rain through the early evening. Time for a break so we'll head home  (July 5) to do laundry and refuel at Costco (we're out of coffee OH NO). We've also been contemplating a change in the living area of the house and...

 Noah's second day help put the tail trusses on the east side. He was able to head home shortly after noon. The next day we got the west side tail trusses up.  The rest of the week we slowed the pace getting the east side tails trimmed, sub-facia on both sides and the small roof tails, and south side lookouts and sheeting. Sub-facia on the cable ends, facia all around and then finish the sheeting on the north side will have the roof ready for sheeting.  Opening the large garage door has been problematic, needing manual assist. Bill went to close it Wednesday and it slammed down. He saw that one of the springs was totally unwound and not attached at one end. An email to the installer has had no response to return and fix it yet. Payment will be withheld until it's working properly. Cricket has been obsessed with the chipmunk chatter and races out at every opportunity to dispatch them. They apparently like being on the underside of the vehicles as she spends a lot of time u...