With all this work to be done, I often feel like I moonlight as my regular job, but my main career is getting into my house. For a bit of this week this was my office (surprisingly I get good reception if my phone is on the metal frame under my home)
Many items needed to be completed before we could move in. However it was hard to decide where to start. Finally I started with what needed to happen so I could finally backfill my trenches. The necessary items are: Water, Electricity, and gas
Getting Gas in Contra Costa County
Last Saturday someone from Amerigas set my tank and pressurized the line. So I set up for an inspection on Tuesday. However I didn’t know the right inspection, so I Chose “Gas Meter Release” thinking that would be the final inspection. Turned out, no inspector came, and no one called. Since it was a propane tank, there is no gas meter so it was unnecessary.
Electricity!! …almost
My Electrician came out on Monday morning and was there all day. We pulled 3 2/0 & 1 1AWG wire through 2” conduit for 90 feet. That wire weighs over 130 lbs and it can mainly be pulled. He taped it together well, and lubed the wire so it would pull easier. The main, who owns M3 Electrical, is worth whatever he charges! Here was part of his setup after the wire was pulled.
He wired the 200 meter sub-panel, finished wiring the septic to the sub panel, wired the septic, and bonded the gas / water / water heater.
Propane Conversion
I needed to have my two appliances (oven, furnace) converted into propane instead of Natural Gas. Apparently it uses smaller orifaces, and the utilities often come with the kits to swap them. I used Contra Costa Appliance for the oven. He came the next day and knew exactly what he was doing. It cost $115 for the oven. I’m still waiting for my HVAC guy to do the furnace.
Plumbing
I spent most of the week trying to put the piping in the ground and under the house to get ready for the final. This is likely going to leak….
I have the trenches done (needed that so they could be backfilled). Here is a picture of the simple part of the trench build.
Inspection by Contra Costa County
On Friday I had the final inspections for water, electricity, and gas. Thea got this sweet action shot of us
Everything went well, and I learned that tracer wire does not need to wrap around the pipe. While I was meeting with the inspector, Thea was practicing her videography skills. I think it’s pretty good!
Backfilling, Stairs, and flooring
All in 1 day we did many things. We shaded the trenches with sand. My friend from Sudexco is excited to finish working with us
Hannah and I worked on the stairs most of the day. We are done with everything but the pickets on both the front and back steps.
Flooring
I found through some mutual friends a man named Chilo who works very diligently with many friends on installing floors. Here is a partial amount of flooring put down, and Tiva.
You can see how well the color goes with the paint from last weeks post
Tonight my helpers came with me till well past bedtime to return this generator and purchase 220 sq ft more of the Java Hickory flooring.
That’s all the time I have time or energy for this week
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