(Above): A computer-rendered ‘oil painting’ of an image I took on my way to Jacobhouse this morning. Real image below.
3/21/19:
Building Summary: Today I began the wiring process. After the tools and supplies had been gathered together, it was time to pull the Romex wire through from the switch-box area to the top right corner of the window. I got the first through myself, but passing the second two were made far easier with Padre’s help. This was followed by coiling up the excess portions of cable and labeling them.
Next, I got to test the water lines. I discovered early in the morning I’d really only be able to test the cold water, because the hot water line is cut short at the hot-water heater. We still tested the cold water, though, and it was a success.
Commentary: The weather was downright fine this morning. It was cool* at first and then progressed to a sunny and slightly breezy high of 72 degrees. But aside from the weathers’ attempt at perfection, there were a couple more highlights that occurred at Jacobhouse today.
The first occurred after I’d gathered all the tools and began the process of pulling the wire through the tiny opening I left behind the frame at the front of Jacobhouse. It was difficult for the first one, because I had no idea what I was doing, but I eventually got it through and up to the top**. After that, though, and right as I was wondering how in world I was going to put two more wires through and up the same hole, Padre arrived.
With his help feeding in the wire and my guiding it, we were able to get the second line through with ease. The third, however, proved difficult on account of the little hook that we had to make for the guide string. After that same string broke, we realized we could use the second line as a guide. To do this, all we had to do was tape the third line to the second and pull/feed at the same time. I have to say… it was a victory seeing that taped section finally emerge up top.
The second highlight for today would have to be the waterline test. I’ll start off by saying it went quite well. We didn’t get to assess quite all of them, but the ones that we did test (over half of them) passed the trial. It should be noted that it was right around this time that Jacobhouse spat on me. There was a lot of air in the lines, so I cracked one of the valves to let that air out. It must have lasted a good twenty or so seconds, but then the ‘air’ sound went away. There was still no water coming out, so I opened the valve just a tad farther. That’s when it happened. A mini-geyser erupted from the little valve and got me right in the face. Lesson learned, I turned the valve off, and was satisfied with the knowing that there is now water in Jacobhouse.
(8:47 PM Addition) It is getting late, but I should mention that Alan Hendrickson – a long time friend of the family, neighbor, and electrician – stopped by and gave Jacobhouse an in-depth inspection. At first, he seemed slightly put-off by the future plans of surface-mounting and conduit, but then as Padre and I revealed the many ‘hiding places’ for electrical wires and that there would not actually be that much conduit involved, he seemed much more enthusiastic. He even offered to obtain some supplies to get us started, and he also gave us the great idea of using cement board for around the shower***.
Final Note: Tomorrow, I will likely begin on the checklist Alan gave Padre and I. I’ll probably begin either with mounting the panel box or the bathroom (vent) fan. At some point soon, I will also need to draw exact lines on the base of the kitchen area for where the appliances will sit.
Additional Note: Fedex’s Small Business Grant Contest is still in progress. All votes for Master Blend are appreciated.
*The coolness was partly the cause for that image above (real image included at bottom) where steam was emerging from the reel-wagon.
** Up top is where the porch light will be, and it is also where the cavity for the vents will be – a space that we will also use for running multiple electrical lines as well.
*** We already have cement board and the specialized screws made just for it. They were originally intended for the front entry of the container, but we instead ended up using scrap metal from the old refrigerator unit.
