Thursday, June 24, 2004
I'm Back !
Yup after a delay of 1 month 18 days of no blog entries I am back !
Sand, Sand and More Sand.....
Well in order to get the electricity and well installed at the house it was necessary to get all of the backfill surrounding the area in place. It was expressly demanded that under no conditions could it be rock or sand as the well guy uses a air based drilling rig. Earth or Clay were preferred.... Similarily since we were getting fill, I had asked that we get crushed rock delivery to the back of the house were I will be making a patio in the future......My carpenter/ex-contractor said he would take care of it....Low and behold I arrive at the house to find all of these locations filled with Sand....Apparenty he had called in the same guy who had originally overcharged for the foundation... He has a sand pit on his property and rather than listen to the customer and deliver what they order he apparently takes liberty and delivers whatever he wants.....I told my former contractor that he was now responsible for this error (AGAIN) and I would obviously not accept any charges for the sand.....I have now found a local firm in Hawkesbury to take over all land fill and landscaping responsibilities. (Meeting tomorrow...). I have also now found out that sand will tend to leach into "French Drains" clogging them up.... Looks like a registered letter is to follow to my ex contractor again.......
1st Sealed Well in Pte-Fortune
Well that new Inspector in Pte-Fortune did take to heart her desire to see me with the best well in Pte-Fortune and as a result I am now the proud owner of Pte-Fortune's 1st sealed well.It only cost an additional $1,500 big ones. Upon studying the local surroundings our local inspector identified that our neighbours septic tank was leaking (Approx 100 ft away) and our other neighbour who was also approx 100 ft away had a system installed over 25 years ago that doesn't meet with local standards. The recommendation was to go with a sealed well and protect the integrity of the local water table . (Top 15 ft of the well near the surface are sealed for a 20" perimeter of for the first 5 meters by a Cement/Bentonite mixture.....
There She Blows !
Oh I forgot to mention that our new well is an artesian well. Yup that means we have a virtual geyser on our property now with water pouring down the hill into the river. (I actually thought of creating a riverbed across our property). Apparently due to the high pressure, they don't recommend trying to seal the top of the well as it may explode (Great eh ?). They are going to attempt to put a "Special" Drain hole in the side of the well 4ft beneath the ground (Work begins tomorrow)
4 day old Leaky Roof
Hmm. I was not too impressed after the first rain storm with my new roof installed. Leaks in 3 different places around the house.... Fortunately it appeared they had not completed sealing the "Sides" with a stepped flashing yet, and these were the locations affected by the rain....She is now signed, sealed and delivered...No Leaks this week...so far...
Outside Plumbing
Well I never did quite take a good look at the drawings for the house (I mean between the first and second floors) but after seeing the house built it was a little strange to see the second floor overhanging the first floor by about 2 ft. (I never saw a house like that before). At first I though the contractor screwed up but upon closer examination of the drawings it was evident that this is the way the designer had designed the house... SO I thought I would just enjoy this "New" architecture design feature until.... Along came our new plumber cutting holes in the floor for his piping from the master bathroom and low and behold the next thing he knew he was staring at the ground outside the house 2 stories below... Hmm.. he chuckled. First time I ever had to install my plumbing outside a house.......I called an emergency meeting to adress this obvious disconcerting discovery. (Panic Attack !). No problem by contractor says. He just installed more insulation in the floor and with a supplimentary heating duct installed by thr HVAC guy the piping could be routed through the floor and remain "INSIDE" the house....
Règlement sur l'évacuation et le traitement des eaux usées des résidences isolées
I.E. Septic Tank regulations.
Well of course this was the one regulation that I hadn't taken the time to read being only in French and about 100 pages long....Oh SHit......Well here I go sticking my face in it again. I called in the sub-contractor who had overcharged on the land fill to see if he would give me a deal on installing a septic system. He came over reviewed the site and denoted that the permit I had been given by the old city inspector was no good and that he couldn't install the system originally proposed ($3,500) and he would need to install a system (ECOFLOW) for about $10,000 that had a limited lifespan of 8 year before it needed servicing.....I told him that I already had a permit and that he should see if he could install the original system proposed. I supplied him with the city inspectors name and # and was expecting him to investigate this apparent discrepancy. (Note: 1 other supplier had already quoted an install). The next thing I know I get a call from the city inspector accusing me of asking this guy to install a system (Not to the City Code). She tells me that she will not accept/permit me to do any installations until I get a special ground testing and analysis done by an independant testing company. (SHit Shit Shit, anthoer $650.00) SO....here we go again...I research all possible systems myself, get the city to provide me with the surrounding locations of all wells and septic systems, and then I call this company to perform all tests. They identify that my property is covered by earth (Well no kidding) and that there is insufficient space provided for the system as originally proposed by the city due to a local well across the street. So here is go again getting quotes for a different system.....but 4 weeks after the initial delays. I finally approved a new supplier to install an ECOFLOW system for $7,500..... more than initially planned but less than the other contractor....Work Starts On Tuesday with a final inspection by the city contractor on Wednesday....
Alarm!
On the first day of installing the electrical rough the electrician tells me that I should get another company to install the TV telephone cabling, and alarm wiring rather than him. (Who Already accepted this in his contract) Well he said, he is more expensive, doesn't put on covers etc......So I got on the phone and called up his recommended company to discover they can provide me an estimate,and install all necessary cable in 2 days while the walls are still open. A quick cost comparision, contract awarded, cabing done... He was right.... He just didn't want to lose the initial contact award so he said he would do it..... Actually a really nice guy...
Frigging Electrical Codes
Ok, just my luck new electrical codes were introduced May 28th this year, and you are not allowed to put light switches outside a bathroom for a bathroom or within reach of a shower. (Reasons being that one could be injured in a bathroom without lights or electrocuted in the shower turning them on or off..Well it just so happens that our newly created 1st floor bathroom has a shower and a Pocket door. So the switch can not go on one side of the door as it is a pocket door, and can not go on the other side as it has a shower. It can not go outside the bathroom as this also breaks the code..... SO we are now the proud owners of a bathroom without a light switchJust kidding. We have strategically located it 5 ft from the door on a far wall within code, so that you have to search all walls within a 5 ft radius of the door to find this switch in the dark...when you really have to go....but just don't know where to go.....I don't know whats worse getting electrocuted,slipping and hurting yourself on a wet bathroom floor, or shitting your pants trying to find the light for the toilet....Time will tell....(I think I am going to install one of those motion detector light switches to prevent alot of soiled underwear....)
Broken Link
Well we have all heard stories about broken links in a chain and how it stops a production line... Well how about this one....Because the inspector didn't approve the original well install, and we needed to get a sealed one, there was a delay. When the well was drilled it was discovered to be an artesian well which prevented them from installing a pump. As a result the plumber can not test the pipes he has installed to see if they leak. As a result the gyproc can not be sealed around the plumbing. As a result the Joint (MUD) guys can not complete the joints, the finishers can not complete all the finishing anf the painter can not complete the painting....
So.... I fished out of our shed (Under and behind our old house which is packed inside it, 2 hour job) a 200ft hose and ran it to our neighbours water main. (Did I teel you that I threw out my back this week and caught a cold the same day ?) The pipes have now been tested... and don't leak.....anymore....Apparently they tried pumping air into the pipes originally to see if they leak, but since the leak was so small they couldn't find it...Fortunately water forms droplets that are easy to find...
Hard to find good hardwood
Well it appears that all of our neighbours are HW installers or own floor installation companies but none of them can get a good deal on Hardwood.... Maybe they just heard what a son of a bitch I can be if I am given inferior product and are scared shitless (Good since we have no septic system yet) to offer me a quote... I have now been forced by my Carpenter guy to find the Hardwood myself as his supplier had the worst prices going.....
Your Fired !
Well did I ever tell you about this company RMS where I have been visiting them getting quotes for over 2 months. I now have seen every sales rep in the place and have about 10 quotes for the same items, all in an effort to get lower pricing...
Last week I met the best representative for pricing (Chantal) and she was nice enough to provide me extensive discounts across the board for all the products I was looking for. She even said she would phone the supplier (Due to large the quantities) and try to negotiate better pricing. 4 days past and no call.... So I phoned to find out that she was no longer working for the company......(I had gotten over $1,000 in discounts so was very disturbed). After a few more calls, they agreed to honour her quotes, while letting me know ths was the reason she had been fired. She had been lowballing the other reps and causing the company undue concern. SORRY !!!! I really liked her....
Paint Facts
1) 100% Acrylic is best !
2) Latex Paint doesn't come in Gloss
3) Primer designed for New Gyproc is best..
4) Only Italian Painters use Oil based paint
5) Everyone uses Flat White Latex on Ceilings
6) Stucco doesn't exist in Quebec.....
All these facts and more thanks to my new neighbour the painter (Andre)
Yup after a delay of 1 month 18 days of no blog entries I am back !
Sand, Sand and More Sand.....
Well in order to get the electricity and well installed at the house it was necessary to get all of the backfill surrounding the area in place. It was expressly demanded that under no conditions could it be rock or sand as the well guy uses a air based drilling rig. Earth or Clay were preferred.... Similarily since we were getting fill, I had asked that we get crushed rock delivery to the back of the house were I will be making a patio in the future......My carpenter/ex-contractor said he would take care of it....Low and behold I arrive at the house to find all of these locations filled with Sand....Apparenty he had called in the same guy who had originally overcharged for the foundation... He has a sand pit on his property and rather than listen to the customer and deliver what they order he apparently takes liberty and delivers whatever he wants.....I told my former contractor that he was now responsible for this error (AGAIN) and I would obviously not accept any charges for the sand.....I have now found a local firm in Hawkesbury to take over all land fill and landscaping responsibilities. (Meeting tomorrow...). I have also now found out that sand will tend to leach into "French Drains" clogging them up.... Looks like a registered letter is to follow to my ex contractor again.......
1st Sealed Well in Pte-Fortune
Well that new Inspector in Pte-Fortune did take to heart her desire to see me with the best well in Pte-Fortune and as a result I am now the proud owner of Pte-Fortune's 1st sealed well.It only cost an additional $1,500 big ones. Upon studying the local surroundings our local inspector identified that our neighbours septic tank was leaking (Approx 100 ft away) and our other neighbour who was also approx 100 ft away had a system installed over 25 years ago that doesn't meet with local standards. The recommendation was to go with a sealed well and protect the integrity of the local water table . (Top 15 ft of the well near the surface are sealed for a 20" perimeter of for the first 5 meters by a Cement/Bentonite mixture.....
There She Blows !
Oh I forgot to mention that our new well is an artesian well. Yup that means we have a virtual geyser on our property now with water pouring down the hill into the river. (I actually thought of creating a riverbed across our property). Apparently due to the high pressure, they don't recommend trying to seal the top of the well as it may explode (Great eh ?). They are going to attempt to put a "Special" Drain hole in the side of the well 4ft beneath the ground (Work begins tomorrow)
4 day old Leaky Roof
Hmm. I was not too impressed after the first rain storm with my new roof installed. Leaks in 3 different places around the house.... Fortunately it appeared they had not completed sealing the "Sides" with a stepped flashing yet, and these were the locations affected by the rain....She is now signed, sealed and delivered...No Leaks this week...so far...
Outside Plumbing
Well I never did quite take a good look at the drawings for the house (I mean between the first and second floors) but after seeing the house built it was a little strange to see the second floor overhanging the first floor by about 2 ft. (I never saw a house like that before). At first I though the contractor screwed up but upon closer examination of the drawings it was evident that this is the way the designer had designed the house... SO I thought I would just enjoy this "New" architecture design feature until.... Along came our new plumber cutting holes in the floor for his piping from the master bathroom and low and behold the next thing he knew he was staring at the ground outside the house 2 stories below... Hmm.. he chuckled. First time I ever had to install my plumbing outside a house.......I called an emergency meeting to adress this obvious disconcerting discovery. (Panic Attack !). No problem by contractor says. He just installed more insulation in the floor and with a supplimentary heating duct installed by thr HVAC guy the piping could be routed through the floor and remain "INSIDE" the house....
Règlement sur l'évacuation et le traitement des eaux usées des résidences isolées
I.E. Septic Tank regulations.
Well of course this was the one regulation that I hadn't taken the time to read being only in French and about 100 pages long....Oh SHit......Well here I go sticking my face in it again. I called in the sub-contractor who had overcharged on the land fill to see if he would give me a deal on installing a septic system. He came over reviewed the site and denoted that the permit I had been given by the old city inspector was no good and that he couldn't install the system originally proposed ($3,500) and he would need to install a system (ECOFLOW) for about $10,000 that had a limited lifespan of 8 year before it needed servicing.....I told him that I already had a permit and that he should see if he could install the original system proposed. I supplied him with the city inspectors name and # and was expecting him to investigate this apparent discrepancy. (Note: 1 other supplier had already quoted an install). The next thing I know I get a call from the city inspector accusing me of asking this guy to install a system (Not to the City Code). She tells me that she will not accept/permit me to do any installations until I get a special ground testing and analysis done by an independant testing company. (SHit Shit Shit, anthoer $650.00) SO....here we go again...I research all possible systems myself, get the city to provide me with the surrounding locations of all wells and septic systems, and then I call this company to perform all tests. They identify that my property is covered by earth (Well no kidding) and that there is insufficient space provided for the system as originally proposed by the city due to a local well across the street. So here is go again getting quotes for a different system.....but 4 weeks after the initial delays. I finally approved a new supplier to install an ECOFLOW system for $7,500..... more than initially planned but less than the other contractor....Work Starts On Tuesday with a final inspection by the city contractor on Wednesday....
Alarm!
On the first day of installing the electrical rough the electrician tells me that I should get another company to install the TV telephone cabling, and alarm wiring rather than him. (Who Already accepted this in his contract) Well he said, he is more expensive, doesn't put on covers etc......So I got on the phone and called up his recommended company to discover they can provide me an estimate,and install all necessary cable in 2 days while the walls are still open. A quick cost comparision, contract awarded, cabing done... He was right.... He just didn't want to lose the initial contact award so he said he would do it..... Actually a really nice guy...
Frigging Electrical Codes
Ok, just my luck new electrical codes were introduced May 28th this year, and you are not allowed to put light switches outside a bathroom for a bathroom or within reach of a shower. (Reasons being that one could be injured in a bathroom without lights or electrocuted in the shower turning them on or off..Well it just so happens that our newly created 1st floor bathroom has a shower and a Pocket door. So the switch can not go on one side of the door as it is a pocket door, and can not go on the other side as it has a shower. It can not go outside the bathroom as this also breaks the code..... SO we are now the proud owners of a bathroom without a light switchJust kidding. We have strategically located it 5 ft from the door on a far wall within code, so that you have to search all walls within a 5 ft radius of the door to find this switch in the dark...when you really have to go....but just don't know where to go.....I don't know whats worse getting electrocuted,slipping and hurting yourself on a wet bathroom floor, or shitting your pants trying to find the light for the toilet....Time will tell....(I think I am going to install one of those motion detector light switches to prevent alot of soiled underwear....)
Broken Link
Well we have all heard stories about broken links in a chain and how it stops a production line... Well how about this one....Because the inspector didn't approve the original well install, and we needed to get a sealed one, there was a delay. When the well was drilled it was discovered to be an artesian well which prevented them from installing a pump. As a result the plumber can not test the pipes he has installed to see if they leak. As a result the gyproc can not be sealed around the plumbing. As a result the Joint (MUD) guys can not complete the joints, the finishers can not complete all the finishing anf the painter can not complete the painting....
So.... I fished out of our shed (Under and behind our old house which is packed inside it, 2 hour job) a 200ft hose and ran it to our neighbours water main. (Did I teel you that I threw out my back this week and caught a cold the same day ?) The pipes have now been tested... and don't leak.....anymore....Apparently they tried pumping air into the pipes originally to see if they leak, but since the leak was so small they couldn't find it...Fortunately water forms droplets that are easy to find...
Hard to find good hardwood
Well it appears that all of our neighbours are HW installers or own floor installation companies but none of them can get a good deal on Hardwood.... Maybe they just heard what a son of a bitch I can be if I am given inferior product and are scared shitless (Good since we have no septic system yet) to offer me a quote... I have now been forced by my Carpenter guy to find the Hardwood myself as his supplier had the worst prices going.....
Your Fired !
Well did I ever tell you about this company RMS where I have been visiting them getting quotes for over 2 months. I now have seen every sales rep in the place and have about 10 quotes for the same items, all in an effort to get lower pricing...
Last week I met the best representative for pricing (Chantal) and she was nice enough to provide me extensive discounts across the board for all the products I was looking for. She even said she would phone the supplier (Due to large the quantities) and try to negotiate better pricing. 4 days past and no call.... So I phoned to find out that she was no longer working for the company......(I had gotten over $1,000 in discounts so was very disturbed). After a few more calls, they agreed to honour her quotes, while letting me know ths was the reason she had been fired. She had been lowballing the other reps and causing the company undue concern. SORRY !!!! I really liked her....
Paint Facts
1) 100% Acrylic is best !
2) Latex Paint doesn't come in Gloss
3) Primer designed for New Gyproc is best..
4) Only Italian Painters use Oil based paint
5) Everyone uses Flat White Latex on Ceilings
6) Stucco doesn't exist in Quebec.....
All these facts and more thanks to my new neighbour the painter (Andre)
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