Pass/Fail

The deck failed inspection again, but we just have to make the changes and move on.

Who's available this weekend if I bribe you with beer and food?

Bring a drill if you have one.

FAIL

Looks like we will be fixing things on the deck this weekend instead of finishing it. The inspector said "cannot use screws on joist hangers at the ledger board. must be nailed with proper nails. joist hangers under upper deck must also be nailed."

The upper deck is existing - how are we responsible for that?

Then he left a voice message "newer beams not properly installed, stop by inspections office and talk to building inspector. the way they are mounted on the posts is not right. there needs to be blocking between the two boards used to make the beam."

We are not sure if the VM is referring to the new deck or the existing deck or both.

So close

Ready for the next inspection this Thursday and then hopefully get this thing done in the next two weekends.
No more giant leap to step down from the garage door.

The steps will eventually go down from here and attached to the deck below.

One Year Anniversary

I can't believe it has been a year. this time last year I think I was meeting the girls to get our hair done. It has been a busy year. Mostly house projects and traveling. Jon's biggest event for this year (besides getting married) was going to Vegas. I have to admit - going there with a bunch of friends and his brother was a real treat. I'm not much of a gambler and they made a whole weekend of activities that was almost paid for by the casinos.


Our other big project of the past year has been our deck. Mike, Margaret, Bumby, Jason, Knute, Olaf - Thank you so much for all your help in getting this project done. It looks great and is so near completion I can smell the BBQ already! Can't wait to have it done and have everyone over!

Golfing

Margaret won 18 holes of golf with carts for 4 people. Mike, Jon, Richard and I took on the challenge. None of us has golfed in probably 3 or more years. We got through 9 holes and that was enough for the day. The other 9 holes have to be used before 12/31/09...really?

Almost a month...

Wow. August 23 was the last update we had on anything "us" related.

We have been busy, but nothing wow factor to write about.

The main deck is pretty much done, just have to do the steps. Can't do the steps until we get the lower deck in. Steps to getting lower deck in are daunting and having the city involved isn't helping. I drew up plans for the lower deck and included measurements of the existing deck. Those plans were approved. Now we have to break up the cement side walk, dig the post holes, have the city come out and inspect the holes; then we can fill them, build the framing, and then we have to have the city come out again. After that should be the easy part - lay down each board and screw them down. Then, of course, the city has to come out again and inspect the finished project.

Other house projects have been put on hold until we can get the outside done. Not too worried about inside because it can be done in the 6-9 months of winter that MN gets.

Deck update

While I was away for the weekend walking, the moms and dads were at our house slaving away on the deck. When I got home I was able to stand on it. All that is left is the railing and steps.