Big Picture: Where are we?
Mintwood, Kitchen floor work is complete, incl. grout.
Pearl, Requested plumbing inspection, but no response yet.
Duncan, Not yet completed. Significant punch list, but on hold until we get Mintwood done.
Corp Update
- Kathryn’s time off was a bit more limited than expected (or perhaps simply ‘less than desired’, as it would be foolish to ‘anticipate’ that she’d get the full 4 days off).
Major Accomplishments
- Kitchen floor work is complete, including grout.
Goals from Week of 4 July
- MINTWOOD
- Grout kitchen floor. {done}
- Clean up microwave trim kit. {done}
- Measure for granite countertops. {done}
- DUNCAN
- none.
- PEARL
- Get the plumbing inspection scheduled {not done}
Mintwood St
- Finish Work
- Granite measure was taken on Monday. As previously noted, we’re missing one cabinet, but the measure team was able to do the main L of the counter and also the island. We made plans for how to support the overhang on the island (“Australia”, as we’re calling it). They will come back to install the two measured pieces on Monday, July 11. They’ll also need to take measurements for the hearths for both fireplaces. We are also installing one extra cabinet up in the princess suite, so that will also likely get a granite countertop.
- Completed installation of the undercabinet lighting.
- Tweaked the microwave trim kit, to allow a cleaner installation and better airflow.
- We have a back-up strategy for the dishwasher. If it doesn’t fit, we’ve identified several other models that will fit. They’re more expensive, but it will be worth it to stay with a Bosch, which we’ve enjoyed for nearly all of the years we’ve been together.
- Mark helped out with grout work and a number of other items this week. Continues to perform well.
- Encountered a significant issue with the master shower pan. The pan itself wasn’t installed exactly level, so it has less than the required slope. COmplicating matters, I was a little bit “thin” on my thinset at one point in the pan, so we ended up with a sizable puddle that doesn’t drain correctly. I consulted with an expert tile setter I know through YouTube. He pointed me to standards from the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), which actually formalize how to tile over top of an existing tile floor. So this week, I skimmed new thinset onto the recently installed marble floor, and ordered replacement marble tile. Installation will be this week.
Live. Learn. Repeat. - We are working through the estimates for the carpet. We are still expecting an update from the CostCo folks. Kathryn also went out to the Molyneaux showroom and chose some other samples. We will be getting “best and final” figures this week and look to finalize a selection by Friday.
- Painting:
- We did a fair bit of painting in the kitchen this weekend. It’s done, with the obvious exception of the trim work and the back of the island.
- Kathryn has also started poulticing the LR fireplace. It’s working like a charm, and we’re looking forward to a bright white marble fireplace. There will still be some remediation work to do- the coal part of the cast iron insert was poorly patched to the rest of the surround (fiberglass table and some mud?) We will need to fix that as part of the process.
- Painters started working on the doors on 3rd floor.
- Design: Design board is available here, though we made some slight changes after this board was produced.
Pearl St.
- Once again this week I called for a final inspection of the plumbing, but haven’t heard back from them. It’s a bit frustrating, and I’m going to make an in-person appearance at the health department to try to resolve this.
I’ll continue to chase them this week. This is a challenge because I’m not a licensed master plumber. For other trades, where I can be the contractor of record, I can log into a system in Pgh where I just place an online request and schedule the inspection. Plumbing is not set up that way- you have to be a registered master plumber to get a login. So instead I have to catch the inspector at his desk to schedule the inspection.
We had our finish plumbing inspection, but did not pass. There are 4 updates to make. They aren’t difficult items, but need to be done before we can pass inspection.- Install double check valve at water meter.
- Remove spigot near water meter.
- Install expansion tank on HW heater.
- Install backflow preventer on outside hose bib.
- No work on the walls this week. Painter stopped by to look at the flaking problems we’ve had. It appears that the oldest layers of paint are splitting off from the wall. (The newest latex paint is adhered to a couple of layers beneath, and they’re coming off in a group). So I’ll need to skim it up with setting plaster and then repaint.
- Roofing inspection passed. Permit closed, exactly 23 months after it was opened.
- The inspection report was actually uploaded in March, but was placed in the wrong location in the web site. My electrician is trying to get it corrected so that they will close the permit.
Duncan St.
I reviewed Duncan St and there’s a fairly lengthy punch list remaining there. Some of it is stuff I can hand off, and some is work I will have to do myself. I’ll hand off what I can, but the remaining work is being prioritized after Mintwood. Our carry costs on the building are relatively low, so it doesn’t make financial sense to pay the crew to finish these out.
- Electrical: {no change from 21 March} The rough-in electrical inspection was completed on Wednesday, March 16. We are now good to hang drywall.
- Framing/ drywall: All compound and sanding work is complete.
- Kitchen: <no change>
- Bathroom: Flooring installed. Tile work was finished on Thursday. I don’t yet know if they grouted on Friday.
- Plumbing: Rough inspection passed on 7 March 2022
- Painting: Painting started on Thursday.
Goals for Week of 11 July
- MINTWOOD
- Install kitchen countertops (partial).
- Install master shower floor & grout
- Prepare for flooring installation.
- Additional trim work on 1st floor.
- DUNCAN
- none.
- PEARL
- Get the plumbing inspection scheduled (for real)
Entropy Properties LLC 