Need Tape and Mud pros for drywall gig

Any suggestions out there?

kevin

Finally passed the rough plumbing test! Brunch and BBQ Oct 12th

This is has been such an ordeal.

Basically learning how to to replumb the entire house has sucked in a major way. Rewiring the entire house took forever as well.

Half the issue was what was to code and OK in 1957 isn't legit or allowed in 2008. So I could not just copy the old pattern
.
I've had the inspector over three times. Each time it has been a different little ( or not) detail to fix.

The original issue was a new sewer line to the street. That set me back $2 K and a bunch of time.

Then it was a leak in the untouched steel piping. Then it was a go around was the requirement for hard plastic plastic supports, not straps. News to me. A minor thing but another delay.

You can't cover the pipes with drywall since they have to visually check for leaks. Supposedly.
The funny thing is that he didn't really even have me run the water through the drain pipes or have me fill the system as a test on this most recent go.

Whatever, I'll do this on my own later today ( after the silicone is really cured on a few rubber fittings) just as proof to myself.

I've easily spent $150 on rubber caps and assorted plugs and rubber baloons for the test. I want them to go to use, and can't return them anywho.

When I drained the system after my last pre-inspection self test I put down tar paper on the subfloor dirt. So if the piping leaked ( or when I drained the system), the floor would not be muddy.

But then I realized that I should have put tar paper on the dirt long ago.

Scrambling and crawling around on tar paper beats dusty dirt everyday. I am so done with crawling under the house for ethernet, copper and drain plumbing, and wiring. So done with that.

Now I can put up the drywall, mud and drywall ( with Jerricho Reese's help), make then pass the shower pan test, paint the bathrooms, put in the toilets, then repaint the rest of the house, install the switches, outlets and lights, tile the shower and bath,
add the shower and tub fittings, install the fan vent for the kitchen range, install cabinets for the kitchen, install sink, connect the final plumbing, install the new kitchen floor, install the countertops, install on window treatments, repaint garage door, trench the uphill exterior wall for drainage ( did not know this in advance either) , put in drain pipe around the house, add 3/4 rock for the drainage, bend the sheet metal for the new gutters, install new gutters.

Throw a loadie brunch and BBQ here in Richmond just up the street from Contra Costa College and down the hill from the fabo ( not ) Hilltop shopping mall,

OK so the Brunch and BBQ date plan is Sunday Oct 12th

More dets later on. I got a few things to get started on.

-kevin

Ze latest on the Richmond House

I've started keeping a parallel blog at infoflow.com. www.infoflow.com/blog

You can contact me via kevin@infoflow.com

Inspection day!

The image did not load on tribe so check this out:

www.infoflow.com/replaceplumbing.jpg

Could not seal the plumbing outside the house last night so the plumbing inspection saw the Fail Whale.

But I did get sign off of a sorts on the insulation for the rooms. So I can start drywalling and mudding those rooms. Which is the positive. More importantly the way I did the plumbing ( if it does not leak) is OK. So I do not have to change any of it. I was really really worried about the lack of clean-outs in the bathroom line at the end of the lines. But without enough elevation I was kinda screwed.

I can't not even stress on how much of a stress this drain plumbing has been.

So a stupid little piece of Big Daddy’s stapler is missing. So I can’t use it to tack on the plastic over the insulation. I spent 15 minutes trying to figure out the stupid thing, plus calling tech support before I discovered that it did not work cause I was missing a little piece of the stapler.

Last night super sucked. I drove up from Palo Alto with my Dad in the hopes he would be able to help me watch the filling of the drain, waste, and vent plumbing with water. HIs vision is way too poor so that did not work.

The traffic was totally screwed and it took 2 hours to drive up (normally a 45 minute deal) , and we were not able to pick up the insulation from Truitt-White in Berkeley. They close at 4:30 pm, we drove past that exit at 4:40 pm.

So could not finish the insulation in time for the inspection on Friday afternoon.

As it was the ceiling insulation is suppose to be R-30. The bundle I picked up is R-13. Less then half the value it is suppose to be. So I have to double up the stuff that I do have.I may have to buy yet more insulation.

So the big challenge of this project. The plumbing.

I got everything set, which took 45 minutes. This involved putting on the rubber caps, double checking all the straps for the pipping, putting on the thread tape for the clean outs, and so on.

The garden hose had a sprayer on the end. I planned on filling the piping with the hose just hanging in one of the vent pipes. Holding on to a sprayer wide open for 2 hours as the system filled would not do. But the frackin sprayer would not loosen from the hose. So that had to be cut off. At the time the hose was on a nice rolling cart, all wound up on a spool. Naturally the short hose that ran from the cart to the source was crimped and was not pushing water to the hose around the cart. So I had to unwind the entire length of hose, unscrew it from the cart tap, then unscrew the shorties from the tap, and replace it with the full length hose. Another little irritation.

Finally I start filling the system. I had forgotten to keep a close eye on the front of the house. Big frackin ooopsie.

In front of the house are two pipes that connect down to the sewer line that goes to the street. The 1st one has a pop cap. Which is a plastic cap that is suppose to pop off in case the water gets backed up from the sewer line. Something that is very very unlikely since my house is on a hill. After the pop cap pipe is the clean out and reverse flow preventitive valve. This acts as the primary safety for water and nasty sewage backing from the street line. It think, think it may also stop rats or mice entering from the sewer line as well, but not certain.

So the plan was put a big rubber cap on top of the 1st pipe ( on top of the plastic pop cap) , and put a inflatable plumber’s ballon on the 2nd to stop the water flow. Getting the rubber cap on really tight and secure on the 1st pipe was a challenge, since the concrete above it was in the way of tightening down worm screw on the rubber cap. The rubber cap has a metal band tightened by a worm screw. Beyond that I really was pushing it cause the plastic pop cap was in place via a big rubber fitting. I was under the impression the plastic pop cap was on correctly and tight.

It wasn’t.

So the entire plastic pop cap unit when pushed by the backed up water and my rubber cap came off. That water then drained into the subarea under the kitchen where I had dug out a trench for the new sewer pipe line fitting conecting to the kitchen sewer line . Filling it with water.

I was soo pissed and frustrated.

I called up Joe Farrrel to bitch and ask for help. Joe had installed the sewer line and I had told him I would be testing it. On the phone he had forgotten that fact. Even though both I and his foreman had told him. He has offered to help, we will see.

I ended up draining the water under the house by loosing all the rubber fittings under the kitchen. Which was a very muddy job and at the point in the semi-dark. I had to scoop out 2 gallons on loose mud from the pit, and hand scoop the water into the sewer line. I pray that the rubber fittings will tighten back up not that they are covered in mud from the backed up water.

Soon renting the house in Richmond

So I've dropped out of life for the past 9 months learning how to
remodel what was my Grandma's house in Richmond.

I think I could do it next time in three months or less, maybe 2.

I've been worried seeing that Lee Gilmore is having a tough time
renting her house in Oakland.

All this time I've had plans to rent the house out so my Dad has a
revenue stream again for retirement.

But discovered today that foreclosures in my area have gone up 301%
in my zip code in the past year. The 7th highest in the greater bay area, and the
highest in the near east bay.
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article

So either its an opportunity to rent in the area, or it means I have
337 houses in my zip code that potentially are for rent.

So who wants be my housemate just above Contra Costa college in the Richmond/ San Pablo area? Also known as College Terrace, or Hilltop.
There is a great asian super market nearby, and I know all the best BBQ and taqueria places.

Not that I'm really expecting any takers.

I know I've seen a few houses that are abandoned and empty down the hill. In
fact, a few houses in my zip go for $110 K. Some in the mid 400 K
area. This house is in the $250 to $400 K area ( well use to be in that bracket).

Of course, if my Dad had the money we would have hired a contractor,
and had it done much much quicker.

But at the start I thought well its just a rotted shower to replace ....

Not realizing:
A new electrical panel was required since remodeling the bathrooms
meant two more panel slots for breakers. Two more slots then the original panel had.
And "updating" the 1957 wheelchair height kitchen meant many more breaker slots required.
Updating the panel directly lead to installing all new and additional wiring in the house and exterior.
Termites had rotted out the subflooring in the kitchen and bathroom. So that needed replacement.
Workers comp insurance would need to be paid in for about $800.
Termites would have to be sprayed for about $1400.
All the drywall in the bathooms would have to be replaced.
Updating kitchen meant running gas line extensions by a plumber ( can't do it yourself in Richmond) for $1300
Cutting into the galvanized plumbing around the shower ( to replace the wood framing), meant that plumbing had to come up to code
Which meant a new vent stack to the roof and changing nearly all of it to ABS. Gluing ABS together is easy.
Hard is getting all the correct elbows, t's, clean outs, angles, measurements, vent heights, and much much more.
I also discovered the copper supply piping, which had some galvanized sections was kinda rusting away/ becoming blocked.
So the end sections required to be cut out and replaced. From the garage to the bathrooms.

Luckily I discovered the Viega ProPress system and was able to replace all the fittings for $300 in tool rental, plus $500 in parts, straps, and tools.
If I had two solid dedicated days, tool rental would have been $80.

Todays' a $4,000 surprise came at the end of the electrical inspection. Super out of the blue.
I had guessed the lateral sewer line was likely not in the best shape from the house to the street, but thought I might be able to deal with it another year

Nope.

Sewer districts require an inspection at minimum if your pipes to the sewer are 20 years or more old when remodeling (as of April this year). Mine are 51.

Luckily the sewer district will kick down $2000 towards replacement.

My neighbor just had lateral line redone two weeks ago. Which is part of why I dug under the foundation to assess the pipe.

Post electrical inspection, I started asking about how the rough plumbing inspection / testing worked, and specifically described the sewer line cause I did not know how to test it for inspection.
This after doing alot of research on this issue, but all my books and the web failed me.

Here is why.
When you replace the drain plumbing or change it, you need to test it with either pipes full of water ( all the way to the roof vent lines) , or a certain amount of air pressure.
Which means you have to cap the pipes at all openings in the case of air or water . Including the drain line out.
Most houses built in the last 20 years have a clean out / access point in the drain going to the street in front of the house so you can block the line for such testing.
This house is too old and doesn't.
And no where in all my plumbing books was this stated that an exterior cleanout is the modern practice.
I didn't know about this "feature" and was stumped on how to test since I could not block the line forward of the kitchen sink.

This is where the inspector gently let me know that I also required a sewer inspection / sign off from the sewer district as part of the remodel process.
The district then told me today it is nearly guaranteed I will not pass a video inspection, when it happens in the next few days.
This eve I found out that 4 of the neighbors on the street have had new lines put in due to collapsed pipes ( the original ones are clay ).

How the hell did the romans get their pipes to last 2000 years?

This is a project to do it for the minimum outlay, but still do it the right way.
I'll admit I'm making the remodel good enough for me to be happy to move in. And we have saved
enormous amount of money ( while also losing out on rental money).
I've been really lucky to have Big Daddy as a steady worker and knowledge source on this project.

Course besides light living expenses and a car repair my Dad isn't really paying me for 9 months of time and endless stress to get this done on minimal budget.

Just a kitchen remodel estimate for cabinets installed is $18,000
I think I'll do the kitchen with Big Daddy's help for half with plumbing and electrical included. Everything (flooring, tiling, framing, fans, plumbing, electrical, gas) for around 20 k including some replacement appliances ( used).

At the start I didn't have any knowledge of code, as in electrical, plumbing,
structure, mechanical, etc. I do now and will advise anyone else on when you have a remodel, as well as what books to use.

I now am getting closer to renting the place out. But uncertain if I will be able to in this neighborhood and market. Its actually a pretty safe area.

We just passed the rough electrical inspection today.
So its a big day.
Next is insulation inspection. Then plumbing, carpentry, mechanical ( the vents and fans) then drywall, painting, then final inspections on it all.

So a BBQ I hope in mid August to celebrate.

I'm certain selling the house anytime soon ( which isn't expected) is not an option in this market.

Worse case I'm moving my Dad up here and renting out his house in Palo Alto. Moving him and stuff will not be fun. That house only needs painting and yard work thank god.
Medium case I'm moving here and getting housemates. Maybe burning man type co-ed's from Contra Costa College a block away ;-)
Best case I finish, find great tenants, find solid great paying work and can afford to move back to SF

Buy a Raffle ticket for the Sunday Todd Blair Benefit!

I have a few of the raffle tickets for the Todd Blair Benefit on Sunday at Rhythmix.

I hopeful to test and see if I can raise $300 from the 300 plus folk I know on tribe for Todd.

It's easy to help and only costs a buck.

Todd is a pal of mine from SRL that was badly hurt post show when attempting to safety the set and prevent it from falling on the public.
ROBODOCK, the shows sponsor, isn't holding up to their end of the bargain for insurance so Todd really need money for surgery and therapy to recover from his traumatic brain injury. Which will tkae years. For those that don't know Todd he was professor at CCAC ( CCA), and has been fundamental in teaching so many mechanical and kinetic arts.

If you can just kick down a dollar ( but really I know you can kick down $5) , or ten bucks to a super great cause that would be most appreciated. I've got a bunch of raffle tickets for sale.

You do not have to be present to win. I'll even deliver your winig prize to you in the SF Bay Area.

If you can do this paypal me at kevin@infoflow.com. I'll be posting your name and ticket # or set of ticket #' on this blog. plus emailing you direct the ticket info.

The raffle has some pretty cool art and services available from neon from John Law, furniture from Jon S, and tons more.

toddnow.org/

And do come on out on Sunday July 19th to the afternoon benefit. From 3 pm to 8 pm at Rhythmix in Alameda www.rhythmix.org.

thanks!

kevin

KQED 88.5 story today on the Crank Ensemble

KQED FM 88.5 will broadcast a story on the Crank Ensemble at 4:30, 6:30 and 11 pm today, and then be archived on the site - with pics!

www.californiareport.org/

This is also broadcast up and down California in other media markets. Check ca report website for showtimes and frequencies.

Yea!

kevin

Warning: Catalytic Converter theft on trucks at Crucible / Fire Arts Fest, 2 new works to check out at fest

Ballistic Bob had his catalytic converter hacked off ( likely a 2 minute sawsaz job) tonight at the Fire Arts Fest.
With all the noise of the event I'm sure no one heard anything.

This also happened 2 weeks ago to Kent Cates and his truck, parked just down the street from the Crucible.

A replacement one will cost him between $600 and $1500. Hopefully his insurance will cover. And ironically he was going to get his truck smogged on Thursday.

So I would suggest if you go to park your truck, suv, or other high vehicle in either the secure paid parking, or far away elsewhere and take BART in.

Or weld some plates around your cat.

Bob's truck was just on the other side of the street from the event, not 60 feet from the performers entrance, where there was lots of foot traffic and you would think your vehicle is safe.
Not that he knew about the other theft.

Sadly the security folk walking the perimeter of the event are not a deterrent.

Anyone that does go to the Crucible for classes or other events should keep this in mind as well.

My pick of the event is Justin's new tracked jet propelled robot (not yet on display), and the cuckoo clock of Paul Cesewski. The clock only plays on the hour but is the silliest and funnest flame contraption I've ever seen. Really loved it.

If you don't make it to this overly expensive event ( though there were lots of volunteer positions I'll admit) watch the video: www.flickr.com/photos/418...2655466038/

If you do go, try not to watch the video, in person it has so much more impact. And watching the video will spoil it.

Other new works I liked ( but don't pick since I know you can't miss them) include an upside down Tesla coil, an elegant flame organ thats sounds really good, as well as a new pieces from The Dept of Spontaneous Combustion. Who just keep cranking nice new pieces out.
-kevin

Who wants to carpool to Black Rock for the 4th ?

I'm hopeful to go up Wed night , though likely Thurs. maybe even Friday am worse case

Ring me at 415 640 3569 for adventure.

Dismal's pyro show will be unforgettable.

kevin

With Viega Pro-Press, fuckin' A, even Kevin is a plumber

Goddamn, I'm short one 10 ft copper pipe, otherwise I would have the tub plumbing in tonight.

But gosh darn it, I am now a plumber. Rookie, for sure. But I have made working plumbing and I am stoked.

All due to a really easy to use German system ( with a $3 K tool I rented) . Called the Viega Pro-Press.

www.viega-na.com/pl.php

You can even use it for propane.

Can you say 5 minute flamethrower? This is my evil plan for the next dorkbot.

Anyways, I just tested the shower line ( hot and cold baby), and the two new under the house valves I put in.

They all work. So far. No leaks. Did not stress test in 5 minutes of watching the new pipes and fittings with the water main on.

This effort took about 3 hours since mucho measuring was required.

So now I'm taking off for a few, I want to go out to a pal's gallery show.

And have a beer.

The Viega tool is $40 a day, the fittings are about 2x the cost of normal copper fittings, but all you need to do is clean the pipe ends, put the press fitting on solid, and then use the tool to clamp em.

www.viega-na.com/pl.php

In addition I spent much of day crawling under the house and got the wiring in for the three bedrooms. Working with Big Daddy of Cyclecide is a good thing. Course he is too big to crawl under the house. I just barely fit under certain beams.

Progress is actually happening.

What a fuckin relief.

C'ya all at Cell Space Sat night for Scott Beales Laughing Squid party, and for those feeling like party hopping on Sat night Cyclecide is showing off their new music video at ART SF above the Victoria theater at 16th and Capp in SF.

Cyclecide plays at 11 pm.




Next to do is the tub water supply plumbing, and the dwv system for the bathroom. Thats Drain, Waste, Vent piping.

Which I hope I can do within a few days.

Now if you want to know where to rent one of these miracle tools (hint it is in Sunnyvale, which bites) drop me a note.

But parts are available in Emeryville.

-kevin