Plumbing has begun

The Plumber started roughing in the drains for the bathroom. That's good, as far as it goes, but for the second time in three days we discover that my fancy high-tech construction plans are more precise than accurate. Or, more to the point, a detailed plan isn't necessarily a good plan.
In this case, the plumber pointed out that the plan didn't leave very much room between the shower on one side and the toilet and vanity on the other. There is space to move the wall 8-12 inches farther out so there would be plenty of space in the bathroom. But he wanted me to review the measurements before he does that, which I can't do until I get home from work tonight, so he quite for the day and will finish up tomorrow. That is fine; I am not scheduled to start filling the trench and cementing it over until Saturday.

Fun with a Jack Hammer!!

Another life-achievement to cross off my list: I used a jack hammer to cut a hole in my basement floor! Saturday morning, bright and early, I rented an electric jack hammer. Before I could start digging, we had to go to the plumbing supply store to select a shower stall so that I would know where, exactly, the drain for the shower would need to go.
Once I got started, I had a blast!. Most of the work was pretty easy. The jackhammer is pretty heavy, but but most of the time you just have it standing vertically, so it isn't so bad. The real fun came on Sunday when I had to actually dig the trench out. Digging a trench below the level you are standing at is no fun. Well, less fun than jack hammering.
One interesting note: while laying out the cuts for the various drains, I discovered that the laundry room area was not big enough for the washer/drier on one side, the sink opposite, and space for the drier to open in between. Part of the explanation is that my original drawing had the shower (which backs up behind the sink) too narrow, so when I widened the shower, the laundry space got narrower. But I widened the shower by six inches, while the laundry space was a full foot narrower than it should have been. Go figure.
After digging the trench to the desired depth, I switched from working down below my feet to working up over my head. I finished stripping all the old furring strips off the ceiling, and removing the lighting and some dodgey wiring that was down there. I was reminded, several times, how important it is to where a hard had and safety glasses all the time. Fortunately, I was!

Big Excitement Coming This Weekend

On Wednesday night we met with the plumber to plan the cuts I need to make in the floor for the new drain pipes. After considering a number of possibilities, he told me where I need to cut trenches so he can install the below-floor drain pipes for the new toilet, shower, and also for the laundry sink and clothes washer. The exciting part: tomorrow I rent a jack-hammer! Talk about the uber-cool handyman tool! By Saturday night I should be numb and deaf from the vibration and noise.
We also have decided to rent a storage container to allow us to empy out the basement more than we could have otherwise (and save us making a thousand trips to a self-storage place.

Started Demolition!

Over the weekend I started tearing down the wall and work bench that were in the way of the bathroom work. It was very gratifying to get the space fairly cleaned up. I'll have photos up eventually (I have to get a digital camera!)

Got estimate from plumber

We got the estimate from the plumber over the weekend. It was, I guess, in the ballpark that I expected. We asked him to revise the estimate to provide two heating zones in the basement. The basement will have only two finished rooms, but one, the family room, will be used fairly regularly, but in the afternoon and evening, while the other room, the family day care facility, will only be used in the morning and will have many days and even weeks when it isn't used at all. So clearly the two rooms have very different heating needs. And for $450, the plumber can add a second zone.

Talked to Plumber

Last Saturday we talked to a plumber about the work we want to do in the basement. He will prepare an estimate for doing all the plumbing for the bathroom and a separate estimate for the baseboard heaters.

got the building permit

Today we picked up the building permit from the inspectors office!

Talked to an electrician

Today we talked to an electrician about upgrading the electric service. The house currently has 100amp service. We will be upgrading to 200amp service. This is work that only a licensed electrician can do.

filed the building permit application

The building permit application was completed and delivered to the inspectors office.