Busting Out The Concrete!

 I will admit:  I'm in uncharted waters here....  Today was the first day I have had the opportunity to tackle the next "project" in ernest.   The Sump Pump!

Seems like an easy job, really!   Just dig a hole in the lowest part of your basement,  Sink a Garbage Can/ basin  in the hole,  Put in a Sump pump!   Plug it in and sleep peacefully every night knowing your basement is safe from those  annoying storm surges during severe weather!   What could be easier?  

Well,   Except for that little bit of Concrete that covers the hole.   But once you remove that,  It is smooth sailing!   

Except....  Hey!   Did you know Concrete is Hard?   Like...  Rock Hard!  They make Prisons out of this stuff!  

And it is at least 2 inches deep!   That might not seem like much if you are a convict digging for freedom.   But that is a lot for someone with only a few hours during a single day to make a hole.  

My first plan was to drill a bunch of hole around the perimeter  with my handy dandy new Hammer Drill.  I bought the biggest Concrete bit I could find and went to town!  

After about 15 minutes, I found I only a few holes drilled and my poor drill was throwing sparks and smoking!  (The kind where you say:  "I'm pretty sure that is not normal....")   Time for bigger guns!

Now I know in Shawshank Redemption,  the Guy dug through 20 ft of Concrete with a spoon and a Hammer;  But that guy had a lot of time and Motivation!  ( And that was Hollywood!  'Nuff said.)    But I have Tuesday as a preliminary Deadline to get this thing finished.  And I'm not in Prison... So...

If Tim Robbins would have had access to a Jack Hammer, I'm sure he would have made the same call.   I ran down to Menhards to see if their Jackhammer was available for rent.   

It was!  So,   $80 bucks later,  I tossed the thing into the back of the Subie and had 4 hours to make things happen.  Having never used a Jackhammer before, I accepted their "User manual Print out"  to see if there were any pointers I could discover.   Now I know that they make these things for  people who never finished  Highschool,  but I have two college degrees!  (I probably should not mention that while working at a warehouse....)  So I know they did not make it "Nerd Friendly".   Besides,  How hard could it be? 

Turns out,   Pretty easy!  No certification required after all!  Just point the pointy thing at the place you want destroyed and press the button.   The only "technique"  I could make out was to rest your belly on the handle and lift it with your knees.   It made short work of the hole I had outlined.   

So now, I had to dig.   And that only required a shovel and a couple of five gallon buckets.  The clay at the bottom was so  ridiculously heavy, I felt like I was at that CrossFit Gym where Dave and Moe carry cowbells while lunging forward.  

 Except I must have looked like a farmer carrying one of those giant Milk Jugs while climbing stairs!  In fact,  I have two small red pinch marks on my legs where the handle of the buckets  must have pinched me.  The soil looks like it is  made entirely of clay!

I figured the garbage Bin was 32 gallons, so 7 trips with a 5 gallon bucket should be enough to clear  the hole with the proper depth.   Think again!   After 8 trips,  I still had not fully buried the garbage can.  

 But I was having a harder time trying to get the clay out because the shovel handle was at its limit. So I decided that this was deep enough.  (Not digging to China here....) 

Another trip to Menhards.   This time to return the hammer and also get the gravel and patio Brick for the bottom. I think I am now officially their "Most Valued Customer" since I have been there nearly every day since I began this project  two months ago.  (I think they have a picture of me on their wall!)  

It was at this point where I could feel my motivation start to fade.  That moment where you evaluate the task and the effort you have put in to this point and do the math.   I am  most likely not going to finish this tonight.   So I had better set some realistic goals.   Not to mention,  Carrying 5 gallon buckets of clay up stairs  a dozen times had really smoked me!   

Upon getting home,  I Covered the outside of the can with a fine mesh that is used to filter out large dirt particles.   

 Drill some holes into the garbage can  and check for fit!  Level things up and fill the space between the can and the soil with the gravel.  Put the Patio Brick in the bottom so the Sump Pump has something to set on without sucking up sediment.  

Clean up!

I'll save the hooking up of the Pump for later.   There is no danger at the moment, other than ME... Doing a crappy job because I want it to be done!  

So now I'm doing laundry and petting the cat.  ( Who finds my blog time the perfect time to sit on my keyboard.) I think the basement is looking better  now that the water has been removed and most of the junk from the demolition has been cleared. The next task will be to run power over to the sump pump and hook up some PVC pipe for a more "permanent" solution.   Right now,  I have a flex hose and an extension cord if things get out of control on Tuesday. 

And I will save the French Drain Trench for another day.   Unless it becomes a bigger issue.  My hope is that the Sump pump will be enough for now.   And I can begin focusing on things like Plumbing and Electrical... 

 Those have potential to be larger jobs than my initial observations.  I would at least like to tackle the Water Main Shut Off Valve next.  And then slowly work on replacing all of the galvanized plumbing that this place has.  

For now.. I'm done!   Time to eat some pizza in celebration.  

And make every second count. 

Basement Flooding and Friends!

Two topics I did not have time to blog about.   But I decided that I had better say something before long, otherwise the entire story will be lost!

Last Thursday,  John Tukes came from Texas for a visit.   He was visiting family in Kenosha and wanted to grab a beer with a few of the Zebra folks that still live here.   I was happy to toss my hat into the ring and share a story or two at the Clubhouse. 

A couple other folks joined us along the way.   Marion was one...  But she had to leave before John got there.   

And then there was Francisco.   One of the "former" fork truck drivers from Zebra.   

I guess a lot has changed at Zebra since I left.   I think I gained more info from Marion and Frisco than anything else.  John has just been enjoying retirement.... By working! 

One of those guys who needs to work for some reason.   Well,  I guess everyone has their own form of hobbies.  And it is nice to have a part time job that you are able to walk away from if things get too insane.  (Like The Current Zebra culture, from what I hear....) It was a good time.   And I was happy that I took some time off to spend quality time with friends. 

And now for the basement!  

I did mention that it has been raining here for nearly three days straight!   All weekend and a touch on Monday.  I thought this was a good thing because it allowed me to focus on the bathroom project.   But now that that project is "almost" complete,  ( It is functional, but not aesthetically pleasing to the discriminating eye....) The next "Project" has pushed its way to the top of the priority list. 

I sucked up well over 100 gallons of water from the floor Monday morning....Putting the little Shop Vac I purchased Through the Wringer! And after I got the floor reasonably dry and went to work,  it filled back up again!   I sucked up an additional 70 gallons that night.  Again,  until the floor was completely clear of standing water. 

But then,  Tuesday morning I was greeted with another puddle.   

By that time,  I called it and started researching a Sump pump in ernest. I originally had plans to instal a full french trench around the perimeter of the basement.   But then I changed  it to the two walls where most of the water was coming from.  

Now, I'm thinking of just digging a hole in the corner where the "pool" seems to be originating from. 

I have never cut through concrete before.   Or dug a whole in a basement.   But I did watch my Dad chisel away at our old house back when the city forced us to join the public water and sewer system. It took a while and I don't know what tools he used.   I think a sledge hammer was all.  Perhaps I can get away with that. 

I think it is predicted to rain again on Tuesday of next week.  So I have a brief window of opportunity to at least get the Sump Pump in.   I can add in the french trenches later if I still feel the need for them.  And Hopefully,  the entire process will be blog worthy... In a good way!   Not the:  "I wish I had hired someone else to do it..."  Way. 

In the mean time,  I have been digesting as many videos on how to install a Sump pump that Youtube has on the topic.  So, like cramming for a test that has to be finished before next week.  I am trying me best to make every second count.   

Wish me Luck! 

Bathroom Renovation... Complete?

 It has taken all weekend,  But I finally have my Toilet back!   With a brand new floor to boot!   I knew if I finally have an entire weekend to complete it,  I could...  "complete" it.   Meaning,  I could complete all of the things that "have to get done!"  in the time allotted. 

I knew that once I tackled this project, I would essentially be out of a bathroom for at least a week.  And I was pretty much correct on all fronts.  My planning went like this:   #1   Use the shower.  #2 use the local Kwik Trip.  And it worked!

But eventually the folks at  Kwik Trip started to look at me funny every time I walked in with a roll of toilet paper and a newspaper under one arm.   And the 2-3 hours of work I could complete before heading off to Haribo during the week  were just not enough to make any progress.   I had the opportunity to work this Saturday, but decided that being able to go to the bathroom in my own house took priority.   So I started Saturday with the goal of fully completing the floor.   It was the perfect time, because it rained all day!   nothing to do but work on the project....

It was not as easy as you might think....  For me anyway.   You would think that some simple math and measurements could easily solve all of your problems.   I already know how to use the tools.. And I have a make-shift work area in the basement where I can make the cuts as needed.   

But alas,  there are techniques that an Amatuer like me can not discover until they face those hurdles.   One of the bad things about YouTube is that sometimes they treat you like an idiot.   Other times they treat you like you have been doing it your entire life.  (Um,  yeah!  That is why I am watching a "how to!" video)  And there are  lots of redundancy.   

Somewhere along the many hours of videos,  you have to glean what is true,  what is opinion, and what will work for you.  

After finally installing the final subfloor ( Out of three subfloors!)   I was able to move on to the laminate flooring.   I tried my best to match the stuff the rest of the house was done in, but I think it is off my a slight shade of gray.  Either way,  I doubt anyone will notice.   Nor do I really care.  

I have done laminated flooring before.   So you would think I was an expert or at least "experienced" in the handling of such material.   However,  I discovered something about an acquired skill set that has not been used for over 15 years.....  

You forget!

I am a little embarrassed to admit that I completely forgot how to install the floor!   All this time I have been watching plumbing videos instead of flooring videos figuring I had this  part of the job in the bag!   How wrong I was...

I will admit that working in such a small area was more than just a "challenge".   The room I had previously worked on was a 12x 12 room with fairly squared up walls.   I also had an assistant to help me with tools and remembering stuff.  

This time,  I had a cramped area where I had to climb into the tub to lay the boards.   I had to switch directions with my legs each time too!  Because I could not simply spin around  without my lower legs binding up in the tub.  it was a very time consuming operation. 

I set the goal to finish the floor (at least)  for Saturday.   And, if all went well, I would instal the toilet on Sunday.  By the end of Saturday,  I was bushed!  And there was still a little bit left to go!  But by that point,  I simply acknowledged that any further effort would only be wasted as my attention to detail was shot!   So I figured I would finish up the trim areas today (Sunday) and hopefully the toilet would be a simple set up and done.

Today,  after I finished church and took a short "nap".  I began the task of finishing the floor.   I probably made it more work than it needed to be.   I knew I needed to cut some of the smaller strips to fit along the tub.  And in doing so, they would be free floating and would need to be "glued" down somehow.   What better way than with Bath and Tub Caulk?    The idea is to waterproof as much along the edges anyway.  And Hide any unsightly sections under some moulding.  ( Once I find the right mounding that I can afford and will work in a bathroom...)  Did I mention I am not very familiar with using Caulk?   

Well,  it should be ok once the walls are completed.   (Am I doing the walls too?)  And to be honest,  by that point, I really stopped caring.   The floor is covered,  clean, and looks presentable.  And it should stay put for a while without letting moisture through to ruin the subfloor.   

Now on to the Toilet!

I decided to spring for the American Standard Round Bowl toilet.   There was a cheaper Chinese version for $89 bucks;  But nothing says America like an American made toilet!  ( Do they even have toilets in China?)   And I liked the look of this one better.   

I have never "unboxed" a toilet before, but I have to say...  There was definitely a certain level of excitement I have never felt before.  It was almost like unwrapping a Christmas Present!  At it was HEAVY!  I think it was over 100 lbs.  but it came with all of the bells and whistles that are normally sold separately.   

I did spring for a rubber/wax ring for this one.  after watching a lot of videos, I felt that a basic wax ring was not going to cut it.   In fact, I kind of think that it was the Generic $3 wax ring that caused all of these issues in the first place!  (That, AND the fact that the Previous "Landlord" probably did not want to spend money on this place to fix the issue properly. )     

One other things I was concerned about was the location of the toilet.   I wanted to  turn the toilet 45 degrees so my knees would stop hitting the wall in front of the bowl.  (there was only a 15 inch clearance!)  But the orientation of the Flange was not set up for any adjusting.   However,  one of the things I gleaned from the numerous videos was that you can "make your own hole!" in your flange.  As long as it was structurally sound.   

This flange was Cast iron!  And SOLID!  So I used one of the other holes for the flange bolts and spun the toilet 45 degrees.   I checked to see if the back tank would touch the wall... and it just barely makes it! 

And so I set it all up.   Bolted it down.  Hooked up the water.  And finally...  Checked for leaks!

Uht ohhhh!  

Did I mention that it rained all day Saturday?   And it has been raining non-stop all day today.   I think I have a new swimming pool in my basement. 

But hey!  At least the water did not come from the toilet! 

There is a small leak coming from the water valve, but  with a little jostling,  I got it to quit.   I will most likely replace that valve when I update my entire plumbing system to PEX.  (another project!) 

And tomorrow I will be working on bailing out the basement... again.   The original reason for this entire list of projects was the last time the basement flooded.   And the goal was to put in a Sump Pump.   To do that I had to remove the rotted walls and fixtures that were in the way.   But then the toilet jumped in line  for Priority...  But now that that is "fixed"...  I can get back to focusing on that Sump Pump issue.   I'm glad God gave me a little "reminder" that now helps me focus on that issued again...

In the mean time,  I feel like Al Bundy  with his Legendary Ferguson Toilet!    A king of his own realm on his own throne!  A throne he can be proud of!   

    

           As much as I would love to tackle the other parts of the bathroom,  the basement is calling!  And that will be a pretty big job as well.   So I had better stay focused,  get to bailing,  and do as much before I head off to work each day...  To make every second count!