Yesterday, we started work on the sill plate. It was kind of miserable, drizzly and windy, and that made things more difficult than they needed to be. But we got one side of the house done, before calling it quits for the day.
We got up early and headed back. Over night, I'd been doing some thinking and came up with a couple ideas to make it go more quickly. The main idea was laying a 14 foot plank between the ladder and the scaffold, so that we could walk back and forth along the wall as we worked. That simple idea made things go a lot faster and saved a lot of wear and tear on old knees.
Because everyone knew what we were doing at this point, that also made things move right along. Tim set the seam seal, William and I hauled the plank in. I climbed up my ladder, and together Tim and I raised the plank into place. We positioned it perfectly and then drilled the holes for the bolts which extended from the top of the concrete. We dropped the board over the bolts, and Tim tightened the nuts and washers while William and I brought in the next plank. And so we worked in the sun, like a well oiled team.
All of you are just amazing with your skills. Mr. William is certainly learning all about the usually unseen parts of a house! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteWe watch a lot of you-tube. Not joking about that.
DeleteIt is a very good education for William watching a house being built. Perhaps one day when he is grown up he will build his own house.
ReplyDeleteAt least he will know that it is an achievable goal.
DeleteA good day. I think Thelma is spot on with her comment
ReplyDeleteYou never quite know what skills you will need in your life. He's been doing measuring. When he is asked to fetch a tool, he generally knows what he is looking for. He had a lot of fun sawing a piece of wood the other day.
DeleteWilliam is learning a great deal these days.
ReplyDeleteI think so.
DeleteI never understand why all stairwells don't have handrails on both sides. Great photos and your making much progress.
ReplyDeleteIf you look at home much we have left to get done, you'd be singing "We've only just beguuuuuuunnnnn..."
DeleteGood team work, it seems. I've started to use handrails but they so often don't seem to be on the correct side. Best to have them both sides.
ReplyDeleteIt's something that we never gave a second thought to. It is an open stairwell, with a rail on one side. She's had some health problems and her children wanted it done for safety reasons. She was embarrassed to ask. We were embarassed that she HAD to ask. Done and dusted.
DeleteI was wondering why you were installing the sill plate using ladders and scaffolding on the inside of the foundation instead of walking around the outside, then I read your last sentence.
ReplyDeleteI flat out refused to install the beams until the back fill is done. That makes the job twice as difficult, and there is no need for it.
DeleteAmazing! William knows more about building a house than I do and I'm old! Hah! :)
ReplyDeleteCome on over. We'll teach you. Understand the best way to learn is to by doing. :)
DeleteWilliam is learning so much from his grandparents. How a house is built- yes- but also how to work together to get it done. Think of the sense of accomplishment he will have when it is done! That is a lesson that many of us will never have the opportunity to learn.
ReplyDeleteThe best way to learn something is to actually do it.
DeleteHe will also be able to look back and say "this is the house that Tim and Debby and William built". Jeanie
ReplyDeleteMaybe even someday, he will want the house for his own.
DeleteWell, I'm not sure I know what a sill plate is (and I certainly didn't before I started this post!) but I'm glad you're making progress, and keeping William involved.
ReplyDeleteThe sill plate is the wooden base for the house frame to be built from.
DeleteWilliam, hurrah!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the man he becomes will reflect what we are trying so hard to instill. I hope so.
DeleteWilliam is learning some good lessons.
ReplyDelete