Big Picture: Where are we?
Back Patio set. Front still WIP. Working on the Deck for 410 40th St.
OK, it’s been a bit chaotic, and I’m well and truly behind on status reports. Time to get caught up.
Corp Update
- I had a couple of trips, some planned, some not planned, and those chewed up a big chunk of April/ May. The key work-related travel was to install insulation in the attic in California. The exterminators did a nice job of air sealing the attic before I got there, so the actual fiberglass was pretty straightforward.
- In Pgh, we made some headway on the patio, but have a couple of open problems. The concrete crew formed a “curb” for the patio, to divide our patio from the neighbors’ property. Unfortunately, they set the form wrong and we ended up with a curb that actually is partly on the neighbors property. I’ve offered them a couple of solutions:
- They can sell me the land underneath the curb. That would involve getting a surveyor to mark it off, then agreeing on a price and filing a new deed with the city. Lots of work, little benefit.
- I can cut the curb. This likely won’t be aesthetically pleasing because the concrete saw will only go down about 4”. The curb is about 12” high, so the bottom 8” of the curb would just be chipped loose, leaving a rough wall facing their patio. Not particularly attractive from their side, but my side is fine.
- We can agree that the curb stays, but that I haven’t gained any rights to their land. (I’m happy to put this into writing). I personally think this is the best outcome for them, and for me. Hoping to persuade them to go this route.
- Despite the setback with the curb (left side in picture, below) the patio has been set. The concrete contractor brought in a specialist to set the bluestone, and the work is really nice. We are particularly pleased with the “walkway” that is cut on the diagonal from the steps to the back doo- it just breaks up the stone and creates some visual interest without making the space unusable.
- Out front, we made “some” progress, but also some setbacks. The excavator broke one of the original sandstone steps, so we need to get a new one cut to replace it. The same crew that set the patio will be setting the front walk, but that’s gated behind getting the step fixed.
- I have finally been able to resume work on the neighbor’s deck. We had a minor difference of opinion with the structural engineer about how to handle the bilco doors, and he actually wanted me to do a bunch of additional work (cutting into the sandstone foundation, etc.). Fortunately, I have a crackerjack architect on speed dial. He was able to come take a look at the situation, and quickly agreed that my approach was more than adequate. So, I fabricated some brackets and we’re off to the races. (I never thought that knowing how to weld would be such a useful skill!). This past week, I repaired the crappy flashing job over the bilco doors, and got to work installing the posts and main beam, as well as the ledger on the building. The ledger is kind of interesting because the exterior is brick veneer, so they won’t let us just hang the ledger on the brick. We ended up using a Simpson BVLZ bracket, which attaches the ledger to the rim joist behind the brick veneer. (Here’s a link describing the brackets). Hanging the brackets involves drilling 3 holes through the brick, 1-1/8” each. Aside from turning the wall into Swiss cheese, some of the brick crumbled out, so I also got to set a few replacement bricks in the process. It’s not beautiful, but it’s behind a ledger and no one will ever critique that work.
After I got the ledgers up, I installed the posts and the main beam. This is all engineered to withstand a hurricane- the posts are 6×6”, and the beam is two 2×8’s. The maximum overhang is about 24”, so this thing is going to be *solid*.
My goals over the coming month are as follows:
- Thurs Jun 6: Inspection for the deck framing
- By June 14: Finish deck surface and fence (Deck complete)
- By June 30: Install new fence at Hatfield St.
Entropy Properties LLC 