Weeks 75 to 90

The plasters have finished the open plan vaulted area and it’s given us the boost to get going again in other areas.

At the opposite end of the building is the plant room, this was the first room we started work on to enable the solar to be installed. I’m back in here to tile the floor and since it’s the first floor I have ever tiled I am very happy with it. I have left the service penetrations until all the services are in, we currently have temporary supplies from our existing home. We have a provisional date in August to close our village single track road (that goes to the school so can only be closed in school holidays) and will then have our own services coming into the building I will then seal up any air gaps and finish the tiling.

Whilst the plaster was drying in the open plan lounge and kitchen we started on the MVHR installation. We made it as light as we could but it’s size was still too much for me to help with so we had to think of alternate methods of lifting it luckily our business had tools we could improvise with.  I’ll let the photos show how this went.  In the loft it all looks nice and neat.  We could have floor mounted it but it would have taken up a lot of room and the pipes coming down would have needed boxing in.  We could have put it in the loft but changing the filters would not have been so easy.  This is a good compromise, once the pantry kitchen units are in you won't be looking up as much and we will be able to access it easily with our step ladders for filters and servicing etc.

Once the MVHR was hung we moved on to fitting the plasterboard up in the pantry then I taped and jointed it all and painted the lounge and the pantry.

Tape and Joint

I had the opportunity of using a different corner tape around the velux, since this was not an area like a doorway that was going to possibly get knocked. I have previously used the corner paper tape with the metal reinforced edges. I have found you need to be careful on the corner you don’t rip or sand the paper.  Traditional metal corner bead for tape and joiners is too thick and it can be hard getting plastic corner bead for tape and joiners.  I do know of few places but they don’t deliver it due to its length and fragility.

The tape I used was, SIME edge protection very similar to Strait Flex Tuff Tape both are on Amazon, it’s described as plastic coated and although on a roll when cut and folded for the corner it is not floppy like paper tape, and more like the metal reinforced paper tape but with a stronger corner.  After using it around the Velux I decided to use it on the pantry doorway where I was matching up to the wet plasterers metal bead. I am happy with the outcome and will probably use it a lot more.  When I first used it I bed it in and wiped out as usual but later found out they recommend to do the first finish coat straight away.  The instructions on the tape are in Polish I think but the copy below is from an America website for Strait Flex

• Fold Original in half at the center crease, with the print-sides facing themselves. For outside corners, fold more than the desired angle with the print-side facing the wall. For inside corners, fold less than the desired angle with the print-side facing out.
• Apply all-purpose compound to the corner. Press Original into the wet compound and adjust, if necessary, to create a straight line.
• Wipe down tight and smooth with a taping knife.
• The first finishing coat of compound can be applied immediately. Let this dry completely, for several hours or overnight. This last step saves a day compared to paper tape that is covered the following day.

Second fix electrics has started in the lounge and the light fittings have been put up and testing started for the electrical certification.

The kitchen has been delivered and that went very smoothly all placed neatly in the middle of the room then a few days later we have spread it all out into appliances, pantry units and main kitchen units, the island was placed in its approximate location and immediately became a huge flat surface that we could fill.

Whilst David is installing the kitchen we are also both test fitting and plumbing in the bathroom and putting the plasterboard up. We need to keep moving on with the bathroom as this will be mainly me painting and tiling whilst David will continue the kitchen installation on his own and second fix electrics.  Going room by room works for us well as we can both work to our own strengths without waiting for other trades this will hopefully mean we get to move in later this year but with some rooms completely not started.

Thanks for getting to the end of this update, if you have read my other blog entries please note that the posting date today does not match the week numbers as I am a little behind updating the blog.  We have been working on the bathroom since May, lots more in the next blog and I have the build costs to update.