J & J Log Home

 The upstairs bathroom is done except for some trim and finishing the vanity drawers.  Friend was here to get the water main hooked up in the crawlspace, set a couple toilets, and the water heater. I finished the wiring after and we have hot water and flushing toilets!  Jessica painted all the pocket doors and they are slid into the walls:)

Started tiling the upstairs bathroom floor.   Jessica painted the bottom of the T&G ceiling, looks amazing. Waterproofed the shower wall. Upstairs chinking started. Flooring delivered. First 2 mini splits installed and working.

 The drywall guys got the mud and texture finished last week. It was dry by Friday. We picked up primer and sprayed 12 gallons on Saturday. Then today we did another 15 gallons of paint. We also got the outdoor mini split unit mounted, and wired.  

 We've had a busy few weeks.   All inspection passed (plumbing, electric, mechanical, then rough framing) and we could insulate. Took a few days off to get a start on it. Mom and Dad came for a visit, and they helped for a few days, very thankful for that. Jessica and Mom worked on the beams, and Dad and I finished the ceiling insulation.   After insulation inspection passed, the drywall guys started. They are fast and really doing a great job. Hangers were done in about 4 long days, then tapers. Mudder/finisher should be starting in the next day or two, then paint!! Outside chinking is done!!!

 We pulled in our own AC cable from the meter base up to the house, that was fun! took some good pulls. Finished up the panel working and grounding, and passed our rough in.  We also passed the mechanical rough in(bath fans, dryer vent, wood stove ceiling box), and then passed rough framing. So now we are insulating, then drywall soon. Also 3 outside walls done chinking.

 Siding guys finished up so the dormers, gables and soffits are all done. Need paint. Greg came back out and dug a 100' trench, we ran a water line and 2" conduit for electric supply and 1" for Internet. We chinked the back wall , that's exciting. Jessica and I glued the conduit together. Inspection is tomorrow then backfill.   We also cut in a small window for the bathroom to let light in. And installed the ceiling support box for the wood stove.  The ceiling box for the wood stove is installed. Today I finished getting mule tape (flat pulling rope) into the power conduit. The doggy helped supervise. Installed the disconnect for the mini split outdoor unit, and added 3 chunks of conduit between the logs where the line sets will have to come through.

 We have the inside and outside ready for chinking, likely to start this weekend. Siding guys are getting the soffits and gables and dormers finished with board n batten   Almost ready for electric, mechanical, and framing inspections. Laying out where the wood stove will go.

 We've been plugging away at a lot of projects.   We are almost finished with all the electrical, we are doing it ourself as it's allowed in Idaho of you follow code and it's your own home.   We spent some time sanding and staining our new front door. Turned out well and it's heavy. Handle installed just need deadbolt. Dryer vent roughed into wall. We found some locally made lights that we plan to install in the kitchen, over sink/island, and on the hallway wall.   .  

 We finished the stain on the outside the other weekend. Oil based Sashco should provide lots of protection.

Busy weekend; the interior finish is complete!! We decided to do a clear satin finish. Each log is so unique we felt this would bring out its natural beauty. Lots of work to get them ready for this weekend. - Powerwash 3x - grinded all logs with flap disk - palm sanded inside (60 grit) - scrubbed with cleaning solution - applied a brightner - coated logs in borate (keeps the bugs out!) - applied Pre-Stain #sashcocolorfast - sanded between each coat of clear. We couldn’t be happier! The logs have a soft, smooth texture with a luxurious sheen. Exterior stain this weekend!

 We finished the cleaning, brightening, borate to keep the bugs away, and 20 gallons of pre-stain sprayed last weekend. We started insulating and did a test run with a bag of mortar mix vs mixing it separately like last time. Stain for the outside and clear coat for the inside should be delivered soon, that's next

 Lucky enough to know a plumber, so they were able to come out and finish the rough in. Only took them a couple (long) days. Jessica and I have been sanding inside, getting all the interior logs smooth and ready for stain.   All the pocket door frames are installed.