Path

I've put in a path to the front door - well it is not much, didn't cost anything and took ten minutes. At least stones should not be dragged up the steps anymore.



I've finished most of the storm water. I just need to connect the pipes to the tank.

Here is my garage - it is a bit old, but you can see the lights.



My downstairs bathroom which my wife will never visit. It is a secret bathroom - don't tell her! I'm planning on putting a men's toilet sign on it. It is very industrial with a dual strip fluoro lighting, exposed pipe work etc. I'm even planning on putting in the old crap washing machine when the wife upgrades. I'll probably paint the concrete blocks.

Tiling

The tilers have come back to finish the tiling. They managed to finish most of the grouting, but they ran out of time - they have to finish by 5pm, so they are back tomorrow for an hour or so.





I've been busy doing the storm water. I need to get this inspected next week. I'm handing over to my wife Liz at the end of next week, so there is a big push to get everything done.

Balustrade and Tiling

The tiler has finished tiling the upstairs with the downstairs to go. He is doing a good job.



There is no floor drain here because it is a summer kitchen. Tiles just look nice.



I put in a balustrade to block off the stairwell. I won't have time to do the stairs, so this will do in the meantime. It is very solid. Certainly Louka proof.



I spent some more time doing the storm water. It is very fiddly. I'm putting a first flush devices on each down pipe.

I missed my target of being finished by christmas. I'm very close.

Storm Water

Yesterday I started putting in my storm water. I was very excited to arrive this morning to find the pit full of water and a little water stain near the gutter. Meaning of course that it is successfully draining storm water. Another yay.

I also found time to demolish my rear shed and finish my privacy barrier. The barrier looks good as it frames a rather attractive crepe myrtle.

lockup

Well, I can finally lock the house up. All the external doors are in. Yay!

Here is a rare inside view of the house. Notice how the high windows can open up to a horizontal position. This ensures maximun ventilation.






The light coloured roof reflects the sun. Insulation helps as well. The place is noticably cooler inside than out.



I'm sure a tree has decided to invade my block. My wife is a real greenie so I can't cut it down.

Sashes

It is full steam ahead in installing the windows. I've finished the low ones and now I am installing the high ones. The high ones open inwards - called hopper windows. The idea is that I can easilly put in fly screen. It is really good how the windows can open up to beyond a horizontal position. This insures that maximum ventilation will be achieved. I'm using decking to cover up the voids for the electrical.

The fixed stays are really forgiving in the sense that the gap around of the window can vary quite a bit and still work.



Here are my living room viewing windows. A fantastic view of kids as well as sometimes parents who do No1 and 2s behind the gardeners shed - gasp! I'm thinking and hoping that they might choose another shed to do their business.

Mean while, the carpenters have started the easy task of putting in the door jambs and beading.

Windows

It has been full steam ahead. My glass for my opening windows has arrived and I have just started putting them in. All of my opening windows are awning windows. They are really easy. The only issue will be the fly screens. I'll need to make hinged ones so you can open them to open the window. The top windows are hoppers that open on inside so I can put the fly screen on the outside.




The electrician has put in my fluoro lights and my garage is fully illuminated.



The gyprockers have almost finished.

Water Proofing

The water proofing guy came. He put fibre glass down and the next day, he put a coat of solvent based water proofing down.

The gyprocking boss decided to sack the guy who chipped the bath. He decided that he was lying about the chip. Presuambly the sacked guy lied because he though he would have to pay. He would not have had to, but the boss man could no longer trust him, so he sacked him.

It is a difficult thing. At the end of the day, an employer can not force an employee to pay for damage. I felt very guilty to be associated with someone who lost their job.

I started painting on cutek today. I'm quite happy with the result. It makes the bloodwood very dark.

Fifth Bath

Ok, I'm on to my 5th bath. Surprise, surprise I am not a happy chappy. The 2 after I found a rusted crack had defects and fortunately they were not installed. The 4th was damaged by the gyprockers - they used a hammer rather than their special tool to trim the villaboard! The guy that did it kept on denying it but fortunately the boss man said he will pay. All I had to do was organise for its removal, a new bath, the plumber to come back and the gyprock guys to finish it that day. Fortunately I did it! It cost me a day and a bundle on phone calls.

I had already organised the water proofing guy for tomorrow (he could not come today), the council guy Monday and the tiler Monday as well.