Interior Paint, Gutters, and Dirt Work

There has been a lot of activity this week around the house.  The painters have covered all their hard work on the stained cabinets with plastic and cardboard to protect it from the paint and dust that is now flying throughout the house.

They began by spraying white primer paint on the wood wainscot and then sanding it smooth.  They sprayed beige paint on the walls including the floor boards and the crown molding (as a way to prime them for later).  Then they changed the color and sprayed the ceiling a slightly lighter tone of beige (actually 50% of the color additives).

 

They will roll and brush the walls for the final coat in order to cut in closer to all the wooden trim.  But for now, this picture will give everyone an idea of how the rooms will eventually look.

Troy Durham from Superior Gutters showed up early Thursday morning to begin forming, cutting to fit, and installing the gutters.  They are made of heavy gauge steel which has been galvanized (zinc coated) and treated with a process called Paint Grip.  It has a grey finish that almost perfectly matches the roofing material. In fact, the left portion of the roof in this picture already has the gutters installed. Can you see them?

The gutters begin life as a roll of steel shown here near my head (I'm wearing the white t-shirt) on the top of the forming machine which is mounted on a long trailer.  The steel is curved into a 6" round semi-circle and each edge is bent and crimped into its proper shape.  The inner edge is doubled over to add rigidity and has enough space to accept the flange of the hanger that will be placed later.  The hanger is screwed through the steel to hold it firmly against the roof facia board.  The outer edge is similarly crimped but has some extra bends to finish it.

The operator (light blue shirt) allows the machine to extrude as much gutter material as necessary for the given section.  Then Troy (brown t-shirt) makes the final measurement and cuts it to the proper length.  He also adds the end caps, the downspout ports, and the hangers.

End cap and hanger on the gutter

Gutter sections being joined at the corner

Here I am explaining to Marcus and Zach my thoughts for the retaining wall behind the house.  You'll note I'm pointing one way and Marcus is pointing another.  I honestly cannot recall what we were specifically discussing at the time but have no fear, we were not arguing.  We never raise our voices and we always work together to build the best possible house.  I see my role as the visionary and financier (and therefore the final say in matters) and their role is as counselors with experience and knowhow.  We work well together!

Much of the dirt around the foundation is being cut away to make room for the footing of the retaining wall.  It will follow the outline of the back of the house closely while leaving about four feet of room for shrubbery and flower beds.  We marked the placement for steps and discussed the lighting features.