Week Forty-six

Week beginning 17th April 2023

It’s Monday again and the weeks are just flying by. We still have so much to do before Pete goes back to work at the beginning of June.

Our first task of the week is to install one of the two remaining ducts along the south wall but before we can do that we need to fit the box frames to the wall.

With the box frames fitted we can start feeding the duct through from the fresh air supply manifold to the east mezzanine vent. It’s about ten metres in total and the duct just makes it.

We’ll need a bit under ten metres for the final duct and a load of seals to fit everything snuggly into the manifolds and vents.

Now we can add a wee structural piece to one of the walls at the top of the west staircase because it feels a bit wobbly (technical term).

We are finishing early and heading to Inveraray to pick up a few supplies, in particular mozzarella because our local shop doesn’t stock it.

We’re back from Inveraray feeling a bit disappointed, they don’t sell mozzarella unless it’s grated. Change of menu plan required!

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This week should see some tin on the roof, as long as the forecast is correct, so we need to do a bit of prep before Andrew comes on Wednesday. Our first task is to lift some of the five metre long sheets of tin onto the scaffolding.

That was a real struggle, the sheets are very heavy and because they are not rigid are hard to handle. We have lifted four onto the scaffolding but we are giving up on this as we are not strong enough to do it without help.

We have fitted the boxing in of the fascias and soffits on all four corners of the mega-shed so that’s another task ticked off our list.

We’ve just spent some time looking at how we are going to fit the reveals and sills on the mega-shed windows. It’s completely different from on the house and we are a bit confused and dispondent because we didn’t work it out before now and it’s looking a bit complicated. We’ll leave it for now and have another think about it later.

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The big day has arrived and the sun is shining and no rain is forecast. There is a bit of a breeze and that could be a problem if it picks up any strength but other than that it’s a perfect day for roofing.

Andrew has arrived sharpish this morning and we are getting right on the case. We are gathering all our tools and supplies and putting them on the scaffold to try and save us from having to climb on and off the scaffold too much. It’s going to be energy sapping enough just hauling the tin up onto the roof.

We are already hauling the first sheet up onto the roof but it’s taking Andrew a bit of time to get it set up and fixed properly. The first sheet is always fixed on the opposite side from the prevailing wind so as to minimise the chance of the whole roof being ripped off in a storm.

We’re almost finished fixing it and Martin has arrived to lend a hand. This is going to be a great help as the sheets are quite heavy and having extra hands will lighten the load.

The second sheet is going up much quicker because of the extra help and because we can work off the first one to position it. Pete is having a bit of trouble fixing the roofing screws because he keeps burring the plastic caps and has to grind them off to remove the screw before replacing it.

Luckily after ‘scewing it up’ twice (forgive the pun) he’s got the hang of it and things are speeding up.

Before fitting the third sheet we need to test the opening of the first Velux windows and fit the flashings and solar cell, that charges the battery, that opens the window. These roof windows cost a small fortune so they better be worth it!

Andrew is carefully measuring before cutting the tin to fit around the window then we have to paint the cut edges to minimise the chance of rust.

We’re having a bit of a rest and spot of lunch before carrying on.

Now we can fit the tin and Andrew has done a great job measuring and cutting because it is fitting very nicely and neatly.

Gary has arrived to give a hand so we can really crack on now that we are team handed.

It’s the end of the working day and everyone has gone home. We haver managed to get two-thirds of the north roof sheeted neatly around the roof windows, and we got the first sheet on the south roof. Next week we can get help to finish the south roof and when Andrew comes again we can do the final roof window and finish the north roof.

It’s been a great achievement and a huge step forward today, which was only possible because of all the generous help from Martin and Gary, and of course Andrew’s guidance and experience. Thanks a million guys!