Month: September 2017

I am back at the deck house again, this time to enclose the water filters.  For some reason the plumber decided to install the new filters and UV light outside.  Now, we do have nice winters here but it does still freeze.  Too bad they decided to do that.  Today’s task is to enclose the filters and insulate the space so they can heat it and keep things from freezing up this winter.

Not a big job but took a little longer than planned because the portable table saw chose today to burn out.  Nothing like listening to the windings in the motor crackle as the smoke comes out…

As with the deck, I tried to blend into the existing structure.  The bottom part of the wall is 4×4 cedar cribbing and holds the existing water pump.  I used 1×4 cedar and cut rabbets to make my own shiplap style boards.  Finished boards are the same width as the cribbing and will age to the same grey, eventually making the door almost disappear. Well that’s the theory anyway.

It’s been a busy week and a half. Rebuilt a section of rotten deck. These are always a bit art and a bit craft. You have to find some way to tie into the remaining deck, which usually should have been torn down too. Inevitably though the homeowner can’t afford to, or doesn’t want to, or it’s lipstick for a sale and you have to work with what you are left with. You also have to find some way to make sure the new part is not glaringly better than the old part, or it highlights all sorts of sins.

This deck was originally built with a lot or randomness. Joist spans from 46″ to 30″. Decking nailed to 2×4’s on the flat side. Scary really.

Completed Repair

I’m back to the same place this week to tear out the bathroom, including the subfloor. Not looking forward to this one, have to watch out for rats, cuz there is lots of evidence they are around. Started with the demolition today. That included, unfortunately, the demolition of my tire. Must have run over something from the old deck