Big Picture: Where are we?
Inside, HVAC inspection is complete. Electrical inspection is next week.
Outside, Painting progress has been a bit slower than I’d like- partially due to weather, and partially because we weren’t aligned on expectations. Addressing that now.
Goals from Week of Aug 30
- Painting Completed on Mintwood. {not done}
- Source replacement trim for Mintwood. {not done}
- Order replacement cabinets for Mintwood and start lining up flooring. {In process}
Accomplishments
- HVAC inspection completed. Along with Plumbing (from July). Now just waiting on electrical.
Corp Update
- Last week I went to Denver to see my Dad for a couple of days. I also attended training for Schlutter waterproofing systems, which we’ll be installing in the bathrooms.
Mintwood St
- Demolition: Work is complete. See blog post
- Roofing. Paint work was slower to start than I’d have liked. We finally got going, but the crew wasn’t doing prep to the level that I’d expect. To their credit, I met with the owner and we had a very constructive conversation. He took the feedback to heart and appears to now be on the right track. They’ll have to push to get it done this week, but there’s a decent chance if the weather cooperates.
- Carpenters No updates until we get electrical inspection done. (from June 6) Carpenters have finished the over-framing. After inspection of mechanicals, we’re ready for insulation and drywall.
- Windows: (no change since May 16) Windows were installed this week on May 13-14. This actually included the odd sized window in the kitchen, which was good news.I haven’t inspected the final results yet, but will review on Monday.
- Insulation Spray foam is scheduled for Sept 14. NCI (fiberglass batts) scheduled for Sept 15-16. This will be aggressive due to framing inspection.
- HVAC Inspection passed for rough mechanicals. We will set the actual furnaces probably once the insulation is in place, perhaps before the drywall (as it would help dry the mud).
- Plumbers: {No change from Aug 30} I have downloaded the completion certificate from the county website and submitted that to the City of Pgh as part of the “closing docs” for the framing inspection.
- Electrical: We had an inspection on 23 Aug 2021, but did not pass. We need to add a couple of outlets and a porch light. It isn’t clear how the re-inspection will occur. The electrician made it sound like it would just require a quick phone call, so there’s no inspection requested on the web site. I’ve reached out to the inspector to confirm. Meanwhile, I need to chase the electrician because the additional work has not been completed.
Reconnection of power to the building was scheduled for 26 Aug, but I’ve pushed that off. I have confirmed it with DLC for 7 Sept 2021. - Masonry {No updates from Aug 30} Once again, Normandy Masonry came through for me again this week. The roofers pulled the fascia off the front of the building. Rob was able to come out and point the front of the house under the box gutter, so they could reattach the fascia.
- Plaster: We have requested drywall for the week of Sept 29th. Waiting on an update from Lamont to confirm.
- Finish Carpentry {no update from Aug 30} I dropped off 10 doors at Dip-n-Strip to have the paint removed. it’ll take at least 4 weeks to get completed, which is fine for our schedule.
Next week, we need to get serious about finding replacement trim for the rest of the building. - Design: After some consideration, we decided NOT to add new cabinets in the kitchen to cover the incoming vent ducts. the HVAC team was able to tuck them in pretty well, and we will extend the soffit a bit to cover. However, we will be switching to open shelving for the last 12-13″ of space on the upper run. The issue was that the powder room was encroaching on the primary wall space in the kitchen, and the cabinets no longer fit quite well. So, out they go and we’ll put shelves/ wine rack up in there. Design board is available here, though we made some slight changes after this board was produced.
Next Steps
- Complete repainting of trim on front of house.
- source trim for windows & doors.
Pearl St.
- I’ve brought back a painter who worked on the house previously. He’s going to handle the porches (front and rear) so I don’t have to spend a lot of time thinking about paint.
Next Steps
- Paint railing out front.
- Paint rafter tails and door post on back porch
- Paint door to Zoe’s room.
- Finalize electrical inspection, close building permit.
Goals for Week of 7 Sept
- Painting Completed on Mintwood.
- Source replacement trim for Mintwood.
- Electrical inspection complete and schedule rough framing inspection.
Entropy Properties LLC 