Sorry, was too tired to download pictures last night but we’ll get some up tonight. However, Jeremy and I were able to get all of the rafters up top and secured and have most of the hurricane straps attached. We also rented a floor sander and sanded the entire deck and step under the glow of our new portable work lights, then used my small orbital sander to get the small spots. Have a little more touch up sanding to do, a few more hurricane straps to secure, and then we’re priming the entire deck tonight and painting it tomorrow, just in time for the rehearsal dinner on Friday. *WHEW*
As a side note, I got no sleep Sunday night as I was thinking about this deck and all that was left to do in the final week. I’m so ready to be done with this and actually spend time with my family again…
Posts
Extreme Deck Building – Part 6
Extreme Deck Building – Part 5
Floor joists went in last night and decking began tonight…but we didn’t get very far. First of all, my power hungry radial arm saw did not like the outside 15amp power outlet. After tripping the breaker for the 3rd time I found a 20amp outlet in the kitchen and routed the thickest extension cord I could find through the kitchen window out to the patio…which thrilled Lisa, as you can imagine. Now that the saw could cut, we thought we were ready to go…until we went to install the first board.
Extreme Deck Building – Part 4
Well…..here I sit and think about what to write when I can only think about how HUGE this structure looks. While we were sitting in the Jacuzzi tonight, Drew and I looked at each other thinking what have we done…this thing us just too big, but the guys have done such an amazing job!! Not only did they get the hardest part done (the raising of the biggest beams, with my Uncle Roger’s help), but it is completely square and perfect…they aren’t even off a 1/4 of an inch anywhere! I have to admit that I didn’t think Drew could pull this off, but he has come through with flying colors! What a macho man I live with!!!
Continue reading to see pictures of the completed frame!
Extreme Deck Building – Part 3
We’re making progress on the deck. Jeremy and I have been working on it every evening after work as we’re down to 2 1/2 weeks until the wedding (Jeremy and Christa’s, that is…in our backyard!). We put the side skirt on and then we went ahead and added the 4 joists that connect to the main posts to give the frame a little extra support. Then last night we built 2 of the 4 necessary 4×10, 18 ft long beams that go up top. You can see those in this picture:
We now have to build two more. Then these four beams need to be hoisted up top and slipped into the grooves at the top of the posts, one beam on each side of the posts. Needless to say, I think we’re going to need a couple more guys as they are definitly the heaviest part of the deck. We hope to get the beams up on Saturday so we can pour cement on Sunday. Check out our photo album here for more pictures.
Extreme Deck Building – Part 2
At the end of the weekend, this is what the deck looked like. Not exactly square yet, but sides should go on tonight. Then Jeremy and I have to put the main support beams across the top and hopefully we’ll be ready to pour the concrete in the post holes by this weekend.
I’m just now starting to think we may pull this off…
See the rest of the pictures here or just visit “Projects” in our photo album link on the right. We’ll post more as we get them downloaded to the computer.
Dad saw Jesus…He said he could come back for lunch
Yesterday provided a little excitement for us. Lisa and I had driven up to visit my parents, who had driven from their vacation spot in Vegas to visit Lisa’s mom. So all five of us were able to spend an evening together enjoying the cool mountain air…and WE were able to escape the 98 degree temperatures in Mesa! However, the relaxing trip quickly changed into an adrenaline filled moment as the medics worked on dad who was having a heart attack…sort of. Read on for the details!
Extreme Deck Building – Part 1
Friends from afar…
I’m excited today for several reasons… 1) my beautiful wife is back home after visiting her mom for several days (YAY!!!), 2) I get to see my parents tomorrow and show them beautiful Northern Arizona, and 3) my good friend Heather (a.k.a. Camel) is coming to visit us TODAY all the way from Washington (via California) with her boyfriend Clay (who I have yet to meet but am totally looking forward to! Or, “to which I’m totally looking forward”, or something).
So, in honor of Camel’s visit, (and because my first choice, a picture of Lisa, would land me in my grave), I post this picture from the day after our wedding:
I’m sure this is the look she has right now as she anticipates the drive from California to Arizona in just a few more hours…
Another day, another project…
What’s the project this time, well…fixing up, not redoing (like everything else) but fixing up our backyard for a friends wedding. Yep, you heard me right, a wedding in our backyard! Drew and I and even Justin have been hard a work trimming bushes and trees, laying new seed for the grass and looking at beautiful flowers to place in pots for that beautiful look for a spring wedding. But what is the “BIG”project that we have started??? Yep, start laughing because I am! I guess I should say that we are going to “attempt” to build a 16ft by 10ft shaded deck by the pool area. The picture really looks great and I can’t wait to see it in our backyard just off the cool decking by the pool.