July 2021

July 16, 2021July 16, 2021

SYP Flooring Installation

Day #174

October 17, 2020 – After finally getting the flooring material, today I started the installation of the SYP flooring. Soon there will be no more felt paper floor in the new kitchen. Yeah!

First I vacuumed off the felt paper and cleaned up the exposed edge of the existing floor. I placed my starter strips right along the old kitchen flooring. Luckily, for the most part there was enough of a tongue left to engage the groove on the new SYP flooring.

After the starter pieces were nailed, the installation proceeded right to left across the floor. The SYP flooring is pretty soft but it makes a great looking floor.

I am using a Bostitch pneumatic flooring nailer to fasten the SYP flooring. My cutting station is set up out on the porch. I’m trying to keep the inside sawdust to a minimum.

At the end of the day all I had left was a row and a half along the river side of the kitchen. This last bit of flooring gets drilled and face nailed because it it too close to the wall to use the pneumatic nailer.

The key now will be to find a stain or combination of stains to match the existing. We’ll save that for another day.

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021

Southern Yellow Pine Flooring?

Day #173

October 14, 2020 – Over the weekend, on Saturday, October 10, 2020, to be exact, I got a call from Lumber Liquidators about the southern yellow pine flooring that I ordered. The sales person told me that my order was in and ready for pick up. This was a surprise and I was somewhat skeptical about it.

Delivery Saga

I originally ordered 10 bundles of southern yellow pine flooring for the new kitchen floor, back on June 29, 2020. At the time, the sales person indicated that it would arrive by July 8, 2020.

On July9, 2020, I called Lumber Liquidators for a status update. The flooring had not yet arrived and the new delivery date was in the first week of August. That’s five weeks from the order date.

On August 5, 2020 I called Lumber Liquidators for another status update. The flooring still had not arrived. The sales person told me that a truck arrives on Saturday. “Maybe it will be on that one or maybe the Saturday after that. ” Okay, that’s seven weeks from the order date.

On August 17, 2020 I called Lumber Liquidators for yet another status update. The flooring still had not arrived. I won’t name any names, but the sale person said that it would arrive no earlier then 8/29/2020. That’s nine weeks from the order date.

On September 29, 2020 I called Lumber Liquidators and canceled the order. That’s thirteen weeks from the order date.

So here we are at October 10, 2020, fifteen weeks from the order date and two weeks from the day I canceled the order. Apparently, the flooring is in. FML!

At 10:30 AM this morning I drove to Lumber Liquidators and sure enough they had the flooring. I was so happy that I left Mechanicsburg and drove it straight away to the cottage.

LL SYP 01

Patiently waiting at Lumber Liquidators in Mechanicsburg for my southern yellow pine flooring.

LL SYP 02

It’s supposed to come out of this door above.

Southern Yellow Pine

Southern Yellow Pine 01

… and there it is, southern yellow pine in the truck, yeah, that’s right!

Southern Yellow Pine 02

Southern Yellow Pine 03

This will let me finally finish the new kitchen floor. The area in the above photo with the black felt paper is where the new flooring will go. We did our best to match the existing flooring and its very close. I am sure it will look awesome.

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021

Beverage Refrigerator is in the House!

Day #172

October 13, 2020 – Over the years we have come to realize that we never have enough refrigeration. For a long time we only have had one refrigerator for all the food and drinks. When Ryan graduated college we brought his small dorm room refrigerator down and placed it on the porch. The only thing that was good for was Arlene’s Jell-O-Shots. For the most part anyone who came and visited had to bring a cooler and constantly restock it with ice. Saturday afternoon became the “ice run day”. When we designed the kitchen, the idea of a separate beverage refrigerator was a no brainer. It was quickly added into the layout.

Well, today is beverage refrigerator delivery day!

Before the delivery truck showed up I worked on some electric rough in underneath the big picture window.

Electric Rough In - Picture Window

Around 3:00 PM the Lowe’s truck pulled in. The delivery guys off loaded the beverage refrigerator and brought it inside. It’s a Premium Levella Beverage Cooler.

Beverage Refrigerator 01

Unfortunately they left before I noticed that the fridge had some damage at the top side panels. From what I gather it looks like it was knocked into something and the side panels got dented.

Beverage Refrigerator 04

Beverage Refrigerator 05

Beverage Refrigerator 06

Beverage Refrigerator 07

I took it apart and discovered that the damage was cosmetic only. The refrigeration unit and piping are in the bottom of the unit. Rather than have Lowe’s pick it up and wait another bazillion months for a replacement I was able to have them issue a discount.

Beverage Refrigerator 02

Bud Light 01

So there you have it. Our new beverage refrigerator is in the house!

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021

Philly Phil Turns 40. Let’s Celebrate!

October 9th-11th, 2020 – This weekend we took time out from the renovation to celebrate Philly Phil’s 40th birthday.

We got to the cottage on Friday. Robrandi decorated up the pavilion and I photographed the pumpkin patch.

Jess and Phil arrived around midday on Saturday and Meg and Troy arrived later in the afternoon.

It was nice enough for one last trip down the Juniata. Afterwards we had dinner and a birthday cake for the celebration.

We got to sit by the fire, talk, drink wine and stay up late. It was a nice weekend. Happy Birthday Phil!

July 14, 2021July 14, 2021

Electrical Demo Above the Hallway

Day #172

October 4, 2020 – It’s Sunday and we decided to make it a short day at the cottage. I did a little more exploration and electrical demo above the hallway. Slowly but surely I am working may way towards the back of the cottage.

We have two, three way switches in the hallway, which control two light fixtures located at the bottom of the wall. We hardly ever use the lights so I totally forgot that we have these switches. While I was in the ceiling it took me a long time to figure out what is going on with this wring.

The picture above shows the wire for the three way switches. I guess they did not have three conductor wire back in the day. The white wire from one cable splits out and goes to a completely different box than the black wire. The black wire is wrapped in cloth tape. It is the same tape that we used to wrap the blades of our hockey sticks with. Pretty insane rig up! Once I figured it out I disconnected the power, removed the three way switches and the old wire.

It is amazing that we haven’t burned the place down. I’ll be happy when the electrical demo is complete and new wiring is done!

That was it for the weekend. We’ll be back next weekend with Jess, Phil and Henry plus the drink refrigerator is scheduled for delivery on October 13th. I think Phil’s birthday is coming up so don’t be surprised if we don’t do any construction work.

July 14, 2021July 14, 2021

Septic Tank Risers Installed on the Tank

Day #171

October 3, 2020 – Well, I will no longer have to dig up the septic tank when we need to have it pumped. Today the Riddle’s installed two septic tank risers over the ports in the septic tank.

When they removed the tarps that I had covering the tank they discovered a big black snake. After it was shooed the riser installation proceeded.

Septic Tank Risers 01

Septic Tank Risers 02

While the risers were being install I re-paneled the interior of the closet bump out. Corner trim will finish this up nicely.

Closet Paneling 01

Closet Paneling 02

July 12, 2021July 12, 2021

Unload the New Wood Stove

Day #170

October 1, 2020 – I’ve been driving around for several days with the new wood stove in the back of my truck. As I wrote earlier, it is a Quadra Fire 4300. I have to unload it so I can haul other materials.

My goal is to roll it off onto the porch. This will keep it out of the weather until we are ready to move it inside.

I was able to rent a pallet jack from Penn Equipment Company. They are located a little north of Lewistown, in Burnham, PA. I picked it up around 8:00 AM, drove back to the cottage, unloaded the wood stove and returned it by 11:00 AM.

Wood Stove 03

Above, I backed up the truck to the porch and constructed a small wooden ramp for the unload.

Wood Stove 04 - Unload

Using the pallet jack, I walked the wood stove right of the back of the truck onto the porch.

Wood Stove 05 - Unload

Unload complete!

Wood Stove 06

Aside from being a little wet, everything else was good. None of the fire brick (lining) were broken and nothing was missing. Once the accent wall tile is complete we will move the stove inside.

July 12, 2021July 12, 2021

Accent Wall Continued and New Refrigerator

Day #169

October 1, 2020 – In the morning I continued work on the accent wall. This includes installation of the sound batt insulation followed by the cement board. I am using 1/4″ Hardy Backer Board to try and keep the additional weight load to a minimum.

Just waiting on the refrigerator delivery.

Accent Wall 01

Sound batt insulation is complete in the accent wall.

Accent Wall 02

Photo above, completing the cement board on the accent wall.

Later in the morning the Lowe’s delivery guys showed up with the new refrigerator. I already took the old maggot smelling refrigerator out onto the porch. All they had to do was bring in the new fridge and take away the old one. Simple, right? I even built a ramp up and over the door sill. Much to my surprise they used some heavy shoulder straps to simply carry it in. No need for the ramp. Ah well.

Maggot Smelling Refrigerator 01 — Old maggot smelling refrigerator ready to be removed.

New Refrigerator 01 — Bright and shiny new refrigerator.

Accent Wall 03

After the refrigerator delivery I was able to complete the sound batt insulation and cement board on the accent wall. Next I will tape the joints and apply a thin coat of thinset mortar. When this dries I will be ready for the tile.

Accent Wall 04 — Accent wall closed in and ready for taping and thinset.

July 8, 2021July 12, 2021

Fire Resistant Accent Wall Preparation

Day #168

September 30, 2020 – I didn’t get back down to the cottage until late in the day, but I was able to start the work on the fire resistant accent wall. Our new Quadra Fire wood stove and hearth pad will sit in front of this wall when it is complete.

The installation of sound batt insulation is progressing and the cement backer board will follow. We have a nice tile picked out for the accent wall but you have to wait for a later post to see that.

I have the wood stove and hearth pad in the back of the truck. Later on in the week I am going to rent a pallet jack and off load them onto the porch. I hope to place them close to the front door. I can get the pallet jack at Penn Equipment Company up in Burnham. They are only a short drive away.

As a bonus Lowe’s of Lewistown is scheduled to deliver out new “counter depth” refrigerator tomorrow. They will be taking the old maggot smelling refrigerator with them when they leave. Oh happy day! All I have to do is remove the sliding glass panel from the front door and everything should pass right through. Until then I’ll continue work on the fire resistant accent wall. Cheers….

July 8, 2021October 20, 2021

Quadra Fire Wood Stove and Hearth Pad

Day #167

September 29, 2020 – Our salesperson from AES Hearth & Patio called yesterday to let us know that our new Quadra Fire wood stove and hearth pad had arrived. Today I went over to AES to pick them up.

We placed the order for a Quadra Fire model 4300 Step-Top steel wood stove with Queen Ann legs back on September 15, 2021. The hearth pad is an American Panel Volcanic SandsT2 with a Colonial edge. It’s all pretty awesome and will look great in the newly renovated Cot-Taj-Mahal.

Quadra Fire Wood Stove 01

When I got to AES they loaded the Quadra Fire stove and hearth pad into my truck with a forklift. There was a very small hole in the cardboard covering the hearth pad. It was so small that I didn’t think anything of it. (More on that later.)

Wood Stove 02 — Quadra Fire Wood Stove and American Panel Hearth Pad all loaded up.

Now, I have to deliver, offload and move the stove into the cottage living room. It weighs 350 pounds so that will be no small task.

For anyone that’s interested, the old Warm Morning stove was removed way back in June of 2018.