Kitchen Remodel, D-Day +28

Short post for this Sunday. Took some time and painted three walls that were on us to paint. Overall, it went fairly well. Planned ahead and pre-bought the painting supplies and got the taping of baseboards and around the sliding glass door done before hand. Little things like that do help a bit.

Used up the remaining 1/3 left in that can. There was just enough for this area. When it was all done, took a break, had a snack, watched some football, took dogs for a walk, then went to paint store and got another gallon for the ceiling. We'll do that painting once more of the parts has been installed. Don't want to cause a drip on something.

Kitchen Remodel, D Day +27

It's Saturday and the weekend off for us and the guys. The installation carpenter worked on Friday, the day after thanksgiving. He really got a lot done. The doors are on the base cabinets and to the right of this photo are 2 pantry cabinets and the refrigerator enclosure. You heard right, a refrigerator enclosure. It was in the design, but I never would know what it would look like.

There is also a cabinet above the refrigerator. That is also in the design. Seeing these come together is a welcome sight. While the installation carpenter was working, Lowes delivered the dishwasher. It is staged in the family room next to the stove hood. There are quite a few parts needed to be installed.

Next week should be a big one. We are expecting the rest of the cabinets to be installed, the counter top to be measured, maybe the dishwasher to be installed. Other things is the tile and the flooring.

Got some painting to do tomorrow, I don't mind doing the easy stuff.

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

Not sure where my right arm, both shoulders and lower back pain came from, but since I've been typing a lot on tiny crappy Dell keyboards, it is time to try out one of these curved keyboards. I've used these in the past. It was kind of weird at first and very strange. But after a few days, it is really worth it.

With this keyboard, my arms can be extended out just a bit and my wrists do not have to take a funny inward angle. I'm writing this blog entry with it and so far I love it.

It was bought from Office Depot. Normal price is $49 or so. It was $20 off, so out the door it was a little over $30. We will see if it helps with the pain.

Kitchen Remodel, D-Day +23

So here we are, the 23rd day. We got through the paint issues and can move on. As with all paint in order to match it, it's normal just to take a sample of the cleanest old paint from a trim piece (or something) and have the paint store match that. Pretty simple. Lesson learned (re-learned).

The guy who did the painting did a really good job at painting. Not a single run, drip or mess. The ceiling and walls have that fresh coat of paint, it has been sealed with primer coats and is 100% far out nice. There is extra paint so we can do the sections of the room that were not in the contract (although the painter finished up one of the walls - don't tell the boss).

While the paint was drying, some of the base cabinets have now been un-boxed, and staged in the approximate locations. The pantry was also un-boxed and staged in the location of the old pantry, just like we wanted. The actual installation will need some carpentry to build up bases to which the cabinets will rest on top. This is a skilled process. Many parts arrived, various trim pieces, doors. It's essential that these parts are used where they have been designed in.

On of the good things about this stage is that the nasty ram board can get removed and recycled. The major dust event is done.

Kitchen Remodel, D Day +20

It's Saturday, day 20. The painter came and applied primer to the newly installed and textured walls. When that was done, he painted the areas where the cabinets will be installed. Monday is the base cabinet install day. They want to get those in so the countertop guy can get his measurements and get the counter top done. By the way, the end of week 3 was yesterday. Next week is Thanksgiving week, short one for them. Seems they are behind by a few days.

Yesterday evening we put down some sheet plastic and ram board to have a clean place to walk on. That worked out well. But it was taken down this morning to keep it clean for later reuse.

The washer and drier are working out really good in their closet. With the doors closed, it does muffle the sound quite a bit.

Kitchen Remodel, D Day +19

I just figured out how to keep track of how many days since demolition day, actually it is the day of the month. This started on 01-Nov-10, demolition day. Now, I won't have to keep track counting on my fingers.

It's Friday and this is where we are. The mill work (baseboard molding) is in, good and beefy mdf; the trim around the doors is in, equally beefy and looks good; doors to close off the laundry area are in and the trim is installed around that door too. The washer and drier were removed from the laundry area to allow space for the guys to work. Both of us were running out of clean clothes so this evening, we put the washer and drier back. Using the hand truck / dolly made it much easier. We should get one.

Before moving the washer / drier, we discovered with all the moving of stuff that the hot water faucet (that the washer hose connects to) was leaking from the top. So, it was a trip to Lowes and get two new ones. Got another plumbing toilet thing while in the plumbing area. Back to the faucets, seems like I did not wrap enough white plumbers tape around the threads and it leaked, one drip on the hot and several on the cold. Wonderful, great, just what I needed. So, back outside, turn off the water main, remove both hot and cold faucets, and rewrap with ample white plumbers tape, at least 7 or 8 turns worth, then, back outside, turn on the main, run back in and check for leaks. There were none, yay,

With new faucets installed, the drier was moved first, then the washer. No big deal, it all fit very well. And the best part is when the doors are closed, it really cuts down on the noise - a lot. Funny thing, the two secondary things was wanted (lighting and a laundry area closet) were done first. Laid down plastic sheeting and some additional ram board to give us a clean path to walk and for the dogs to use the doggy door. There was some other random stuff to put in the trash and some sweeping, not a big deal.

The painter may be here tomorrow (Saturday) don't know for sure. Thinking next week the cabinets will be going in.

Kitchen Remodel, D Day +17

Very busy day today. The drywall guy showed up to spray the texture and the cabinets arrived. The cabinets came first. It took the unloaders several trips to get it all unloaded. By the time I got home, they were all unloaded and staged in the family room. It's like a small maze in there. There are many boxes.

The drywall guy arrived and got his gear all unloaded, this was about 1 pm. He got done and was out of here a little after 4. The bare walls have been textured and look great. Mother Nature is giving us cool (moist) weather so I got the space heater in that room to offset the cool. Hopefully it will work.

Tomorrow we hope the millwork (baseboards) will be installed and the laundry room door + jam installation (one piece). They are planning on painting as soon as possible.

Our washer and drier are not connected. We will not have these for maybe 2 days?

Kitchen Remodel, D-Day +15

Here we are, the start of the 3rd week, it's Monday. As promised, the drywall guys were here and did the tape, patch and mud. The drywall guy and myself talked a bit in the drive way (before I left for the morning with Roxy and Randi). Two things, about what time will you be done and has anyone heard from the framer (for the framing in of the laundry room).

Around noon was the first answer and shrugged shoulders for the second answer.

Off Roxy, Randi and myself to Ojai to spend the morning. We went for a walk along that bike / walking path, came back, got them some water. After a cool off, offered dog food kibbles. Only Roxy wanted some, Randi did not. So, back in the car and we drove to a lookout place along the 150, the same place of where and what I have on my desktop (a picture of the Ojai mountains). Enough time passed so we headed back to Ventura, Mc'Dee's for a coffee and two hash browns, then to Marina Park to hang out a bit. Then to watch the boats at the harbor. It was about 11:45 so we headed back slowly home.

To our surprise, the framer was here! He was about 2/3 the way done and kept on charging forward. About 1:15 he was all wrapped up, cleaned up, and he took off. The drywall people will be back tomorrow to drywall that in. If they can get that done and apply the orange peel texture to the walls, it is possible painting can happen by the end of the week. That would be great.

Roxy and Randi go to boarding tomorrow. I don't mind the doggy slobber on the car windows.

Kitchen Remodel, D-Day +13

This is a Sunday entry. The long awaited drywall nailing inspection happened Friday afternoon. There was no progress made other than the drywall guy's showing up at 10 am (Friday). Since no inspection, no work. But they did drop off the materials they will need tomorrow.

I suppose there was work done yesterday. The plywood under the washer and drier was removed and replaced. I'm not sure if it will be good enough for the flooring guy. I wanted a separate piece for the washer and drier. This means there is a gap between the two plywood pieces. It's not a big deal to make a correction on that. It will wait until the flooring guy takes a look and we get closer to that event. I've got extra plywood and the washer/drier will need to be moved anyway.

By the end of this coming week, I think this is what will happen: drywall is mudded / sanded; washer and drier will be framed in, having doors installed would be a plus. That is all I can think of. The cabinets might be in and those will be stored here.

Kitchen Remodel, D-Day +11

Veteran's Day, one of the demo guys (utility man) came by to lay some Ram Board, a thick cardboard paper roll on the plywood floor. He came as I was just finishing up nailing down that 4X8 1/2 inch plywood. Ran out of nails, so I went to Stock Building Supplies (not sure if that is their actual name) and got another box. That Ram Board is good stuff. It will keep things clean.

Started a little after 8 am this Veterans Day morning. Once the nailing was done, I turned to part two of the day. Part two is to get the needed pieces cut to go by the sliding glass door and for the washer and drier area. Thought it best to remove the pieces that the washer and drier are removed and replace with new. So, with these pieces cut, the weekend work go much quicker. I did not do the "dog room" - yet. That is more cutting.

During these plywood cutting adventures, I've utilized the "snap a chalk line" method to give a straight line the full 8 feet of a sheet. Works out fairly well. In other news, tomorrow we hope that the city inspector will be coming by to inspect the nailing of the drywall. Then, they can seal and mud this. Then it will be very dusty for awhile. The sheet plastic with zipper door seems to be working fairly well.

My circular saw needs a new blade.

Kitchen Remodel, D-Day +10

There were no visible changes yesterday however there was a significant milestone. That milestone is that the city's electrical inspector passed the electrical improvements. So, there was no photo taken. Yesterday, our project manager let us know that the drywall person would be over to hang the drywall once the electrical has passed.

Well, here we are, Wednesday, and there you have it, the drywall is up. You might be able to see the wires hanging out, those are the upgrades, unlike the kitchens of long ago. We will have some good power in here. On Friday, the inspector will be here to check the drywall nailing and sign off on that. Then, it would be drywall sealing and mudding. It will be a very dusty next couple of days.

Things that I need to do is nail down the plywood floor, change out the plywood that is in the washer / drier area, plywood down the area by the sliding glass door and the dog room. I'll work that tomorrow.

Kitchen Remodel, D-Day +8

Significant progress today. The demo guy came and got serious about removing plaster, from floor to ceiling. In come cases, there was drywall on top of plaster. The big thing that bothered me was the show stopper, that darn floor. It needed 1/2 inch sheet plywood (previous blog said 3/8). So, the project manager lent me his V8 Nissan and off I went for 7 sheets.

By this time, the demo guy was done with one wall and a fair way into that second wall. Around lunch time, we took some of the larger pieces and tossed in the back of the Nissan, he kept at it. A little after 1:30, the plaster removal was done, so it was now my turn - plywood time.

A few hours later, the plywood is down, but I did not nail it. Did not want to make any more noise, I need a break. That Sears circular saw has cut a lot of plywood and it continues to work fine. Significant progress, tomorrow the electrical inspector (I hope), then the new drywall goes up. Things do look better with new plywood down.

Kitchen Remodel, D Day +7

It's Sunday. Last week Sunday, it was day before demolition. Since that time, the cabinets are gone, the Pergo floor is gone, the kitchen floor is gone (down to the 2x6's). Tomorrow it is hoped that the Project Manager (construction supervisor) will show up with 7 sheets of 3/8 plywood.

The plywood is for me to nail into the sub-floor (the 2x6's). This way, the laminate flooring will have a nice clean level surface to float on. This is a neat photo, it shows the plumbing, some electrical, and the bare floor. That is what will be covered with plywood.

In terms of construction day's it is +5. Weekends don't count in the schedule.

Kitchen Remodel, D Day +6

Here we are, D Day +6, its Saturday. I woke up, had my bowl of cereal. There were some issues with the remodel place as to who will remove the old plywood floor, 3/8's sheet. So, I took the bull by the horns, grabbed two hammers, screwdriver, pick axe, and later a pry-bar and got to work. You know the space is only about a 12 by 12.

About 2 hours later, the old plywood floor was gone and all left was to get it all swept, final nail removal and vacuumed up clean. The time was just about noon. Started a little after 7, done by 12. Not too bad for an old guy. The two brown tarps I washed again and re-layed them down on the actual floor. Called the Project Manager, let him know the status.

Phew, my clothes were soaking wet with sweat and I sweated so much I got some dehydration effects. So, I'm watering up now.

In other news, we went to a tile place and selected our back splash tile. Plus, looked at dish washers.

Kitchen Remodel, D Day +5

Ok here we are, D Day +5, its Friday evening. No noticeable changes other than the plumber installed a white water tube that is to route water to the refrigerator in the case the 'fridge has an ice maker or water dispenser. Our has neither, but it is good to have installed anyway. The plumber also moved the gas line closer to the wall. You know what that means.

It was a good thing to check the water heater, yup, when the plumber turned off the gas to move the line, he did not check water heater pilot light. So, it is a good thing it was checked. Else, I'd be outside in my underware at 9 pm trying to get that darn thing lit. Good news is it has a one of those electric starters so no open flame was needed.

The next discussion will be the demolition of the old kitchen floor. That seems to be the next issue at hand.

Kitchen Remodel, D-Day +4

Demolition day happened on Monday. It went pretty well. The guys moved the stove in the garage for storage and the refrigerator
is in the living room with it's friend the microwave. Not a lot of cooking going on for the next month that is for sure.

So here we are, at +4. We'll start from the floor and work our way up.

The floor is down to the plywood the layer above the sub-floor. The walls in the family room are intact, no changes to that room other than additional lighting that we could not afford way back then. More later. The walls in the kitchen have many holes, large gaping holes. Electricians ran new power, lots of new power on on two dedicated circuits (breakers). The kitchen ceiling has had five can lights installed - a rough install. The old fixture is gone, so there is a hole there, and where the fixture in the family room over where the table goes, that is gone too. The best part of this are those five new can lights in the family room. They are in and they work great. Put out lots of light and will meet our needs for the future.

Back to electrical, they are installing those GFI electrical fixures (plugs). This is a welcome improvement. The plumber was here yesterday and did some initial work though the kitchen water lines will be squared away and improved, modernized.

No post for days, 1-3, way too tired.