Water temperature

In reviewing some of the appliance manuals I was downloading last night, I noticed that the washing machine and dishwashers want a hot water temperature in the 120-140 degree range, while most folks recommend a maximum hot water temperature of 120 degrees (or even less) to prevent possible scalding in a shower, etc. I think what we will do is have one tankless heater feed the kitchen and laundry areas (with a higher temperature setting, say 130 degrees) and the other feed the bathrooms (with a lower setting, say 115-120 degrees). Still a good "division of labor" between the two and makes sense temperature-wise.
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Recent rains have slowed progress on the outside of the house (siding and stucco, etc.), but we should get some better weather for the next week or so at least. He has been working on the plumbing in the meantime.
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Looks like we also came in well under budget for the fireplace, so we can apply some of that to our overage on appliances (getting more appliances than we initially planned) and we come out pretty even.
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We are still waiting for costs for cabinets to come in from a couple locations to see which way we want to go there. Not necessarily apples-to-apples with different brands of cabinets, but we just want something that will last for quite a while.
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Appliances chosen

We decided to go in and look at appliances this weekend and pretty much did all our choosing. Our contractor recommended Ben's Appliance and I must say they have been great with selection and pricing so far. In fact, in addition to great prices to begin with, they offer additional discounts for multiple purchases (multiple appliances gets you a set discount, appliances with a fireplace another set discount, etc.). The more you buy, the more they knock off. As of right now we are getting our appliances and fireplace there, probably the countertops, and maybe the cabinets. We are getting a REALLY good deal here, one of the reasons we are going to get a new washer, dryer, and refrigerator even though we had considered re-using the ones we have now.
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http://www.bensappliances.com/
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We are getting GE Profile appliances (range/oven, range hood, wall oven, microwave, two dishwashers, freezer for the pantry, and front-loading washer and dryer). We decided to go with the Maytag Ice 2 O french door bottom freezer refrigerator - it is the only one that offers a bottom freezer and a ice and water dispenser in the door, it matches the GE Profile stuff pretty well, and it is has a pretty good capacity (24.9 cf).
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http://www.maytag.com/ice2o/index.html
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We chose the fireplace facing style/color/inserts while we were there as well.
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The York furnace units are these (based off model numbers):
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http://tinyurl.com/37z98r (9.C units)
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and the AC units will probably be these (according to our builder):
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http://tinyurl.com/2notz8
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We are going to bypass the optional color inserts and stick with the basic color. Who knew you could get colored grills for your AC units?
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I am having our contractor raise the shower heads up a bit so I can't bang my head on them. I am not really all that tall (about 6'), but I hate dodging shower heads while I am washing my hair, and it happens everywhere I go (houses, hotels, etc.). Why do they put those things so darn low everywhere?
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New and Improved! Now with windows!

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It was too dark the other day to take a picture, but here it is with windows installed.
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Looks like he has also been working on the siding trim a bit. He also put on the glass domes on the solatubes.
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Windows are in

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The windows were installed today. Rain held off until tonight (probably around midnight or so) so no problems with that for window installation. Looks like everything was just as we wanted (with the correct obscure glass in all the right windows, etc.). Looks great to us!
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The "rough" portion of the gas fireplace was also installed today as well. We are using one of these (Chateau 42):
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http://www.countrystoves.com/fireplaces.htm
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Not sure of the finish styling yet, though.
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I called/emailed about appliances and home theater stuff today. Hopefully I can get the ball rolling on those items before long. I think we are going to get some GE Profile appliances - have to go in and look at what the current models are as the last time we looked it was about a year ago. For home theater, I am thinking about a 50-56" DLP TV with speakers from Paradigm:
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http://tinyurl.com/2y59ov
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I have a couple friends that got their speakers there and have been very happy with them. Need to go look at specifics on models and prices to know for sure, though. The sales guy I spoke with on the phone assured me that he has some nice products in the product type and budget range I was looking at.
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Moving along

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Things are plugging along nicely.

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You can see the house is wrapped in Tyvek (except for the one exposed wall here, they needed to get one more roll). Part of the housewrap used was not Tyvek but Typar, a similar product - he said they both work fine, just depands on what's in stock and what he has left over from the last job he can use up to save some $$$.
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http://www.typarhousewrap.com/housewrap.html

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My dad and I spent most of yesterday morning picking up garbage/scraps to make a dump run (I took the day off to take our son to a short field trip first thing in the morning and meet with the cabinet/flooring folks in the afternoon). We took two pickup loads and there appears to be about one more load remaining at this point. If we do some of these things it means the builder doesn't have to and we save a little $$$. We also discussed some exterior lighting items with the builder, as he needs to get the siding started and the stucco guys to come out before long.

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We have decided to go with Wilsonart "Treasure Wood" high pressure laminate flooring for most of the house (part of their "Classic" product line), with some sheet vinyl in a couple bath/laundry areas and cedar flooring in the master closet. We are using the upgraded noise-deadening pad underneath.

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http://tinyurl.com/3562ny

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The sheetrock guy said he's concerned about some possible minor cracking at the joints in the family room due to the long ceiling span (temperature related maybe?). I'll have to follow up with that.

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The painter also stopped by to discuss exterior colors.

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The next 3 weeks appear to be slated for electrical, plumbing, and siding, in whatever order the weather allows. Apparently sheetrock is due to start when those items are complete.

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The fireplace has been framed in and so have a couple decorative interior columns. Pocket (sliding) door frames were delivered yesterday, and our builder had picked up the bathtub and some plumbing items. Windows are due to be delivered today. Hopefully it is not raining and he can put them in.

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We need to go finalize our appliance choices next.

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We also discussed one other item - the possibility of a future shed for gardening supplies or a playroom for our son or whatever other purpose comes to mind. We may have the builder pour a slab while he's placing concrete for the sidewalks and stub out an electric line and hold off on building it until later. Just an idea at this point....

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Ready for Tyvek

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Well, the roofing is essentially finished today (except for some trim work, I think). No rain for the next few days, either.
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You can see one of the two solatube locations in this photo towards the right side of the picture (looks like a good sized hole in the roof, because it is). Our builder got the larger solatube size for additional light - should work out well, I think.
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The 400-amp panel and phone box are installed (side of the garage), but I don't know what the time frame is for electricity hookup. I sent an email off to SMUD to get more information on that.
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You can see the larger of the 2 AC/heater units here. Thankfully our builder had them run all the ducting up high and out of the way so we can move around relatively easily in the attic if we need to. The units are York Affinity 9.C series, one 5-ton and one 2-ton.

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These photos were taken in the morning, but by this afternoon we had some of the exterior siding/trim delivered and two rolls of Tyvek HomeWrap sitting in the dining room for installation. He should have some of the Tyvek installed as early as tomorrow. Windows arrive Tuesday, I think. Maybe the exterior doors, too? He said he is going to start working on the siding soon, but the Tyvek comes first and windows soon after. I think the siding will find it's way on as he gets the time between all the other bits and pieces he's working on.

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http://tinyurl.com/2agq2g

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The cabinet/flooring folks are coming out Tuesday for measurements/discussions with the builder and us. Should be an interesting afternoon (and probably expensive, unfortunately).

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Change in plans

We are going to go with the Takagi tankless heaters (the ones our builder is used to using) instead of the Rinnai - I think the main reason being our builder's comfort level and some venting requirements. He said the Takagi have done well in the homes he's built and he's had no complaints.
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I think we are going to use the Flash T-K3, as it is their "smallest, most versatile and most powerful residential model". You can also hook them together in parallel like the Rinnai models, so hopefully we can still maintain that functionality. If for whatever reason we do not, we can divide up the load fairly equally between the two of them pretty easily.
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http://www.takagi.com/web2003/tk3.htm
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The only concern that I have is the lack of a warranty due to being installed on a well setup, but he hasn't had any problems with well water in the area so far and they have been OK past their normal warranty period.
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Work continues

Our house is plugging along, with the roofers out this morning and sheetmetal guys due today to work on some ducts for the heater/AC units.
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The builder's helper is out today with the flu, so we hope he feels better soon. They were going to work on finishing the dormers today and putting in the 400-amp main panel, but with his helper out those items probably got postponed.
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I think there was more wall sheeting to be put on in a couple spots today and I know he was working on getting the tankless heater vent ducting figured out. The ducting for the Rinnai heaters is different from others (I think) and he may be scrambling a bit to get the proper flashing installed on the roof so the roofers can finish their work. I have some additional information from Rinnai (design manual for multiple unit installation) that got e-mailed to me today that we need to get to him in the morning.
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He also had the roof flashing units for the two solatubes - they are big suckers, with the openings about 2-ft or so in diameter. Should let in a lot of light!
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We need to look at cabinets next. I think we have the kitchen stuff pretty much nailed, but some of the other ones may need some "deciding" before long.
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We also need to look into lighting and switches in the next few weeks as well.
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Got a little more rain today, but I think we're still good right now. I think we're going to have pretty nice weather for the next week or two.
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Ballpark guesstimate of a finish date puts us somewhere around the end of May.
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Attic truss sheeting in

Getting some more rain right now, but it should clear up by Monday and stay dry for the next week. Hopefully that will be enough time to finish putting the shingles on and get the exterior sheeting finished to allow for the Tyvek wrap.
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Here is the attic space in the house. Lots of room! There will be things taking up some space (heater/AC, etc.), but this will be great for storage, etc. There is a similar area in the garage, too, just a little bit shorter in the headroom department.
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Nice to have a dry garage to park in with plenty of room for my truck!

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Roofing going on

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Basically all the roof (except the dormer windows, under construction) has been papered and is getting shingles installed. When I arrived late this afternoon the roofing crew was cleaning up and leaving for the day. If you look close in the left dormer, you can see their portable radio hanging from a nail.
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Here is a photo-stitched shot of the inside of the house looking north from the family room. Off the photo to the left would be the second bath, our son's room, and the extra bedroom (all down a short hallway). From front to back on the left side of the picture is an open breakfast nook to the left of the door, the kitchen, and a doorway into the pantry. Behind the pantry is a short hallway and half bath and the laundry room with a door into the garage. On the right side - again front to back - is the living room (we will have double sliding French doors where the header is between the family and living rooms), the front door, dining room, and the master bedroom area. Off the picture to the right is the den/computer room.

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And here is the view to the south from the kitchen showing the family room. We are going to have two sliding glass doors flanking the entertainment center (left side) and gas fireplace (right side).

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There's the tour!

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Rain is back

Got some rain today - first since the first week of January - but not too much. The roofing felt/paper (whatever they use, I'm not sure) was installed earlier today, so the wood sheeting was protected for the most part and got very little moisture on it. My wife said that they have stacked the asphalt shingles up there too. Sounds like roofing is about to commence in earnest.
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Our builder is going to work on the dormer windows tomorrow, so hopefully the roof will be essentially complete by Friday. What a relief that will be, with rain planned off and on through Monday and more to come.
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I think we have nailed down all the plumbing fixtures except possibly in the master shower. Although almost all our plumbing fixtures will be Delta, we might go with Hansgrohe in the shower:
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http://www.hansgrohe-usa.com/products/singleprod.php?prod_num=06116&pass_group=Shower&page=prodthumbs.php
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- without the body jets - as this setup is the only one we have found with an integrated valve and diverter so you don't have so many knobs to operate the shower. My wife really likes that idea.
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Sorry I don't have any pictures recently, but I can only make it down there a couple days a week and sometimes it is after dark. Hopefully I can get some this weekend.
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A flash of metal

We have some metal on the house - gutters were installed yesterday. I didn't go all the way around the house, but the ones on the front were installed, anyways. The sheet metal guys also installed heater/AC inlets and outlets in the house.
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All the roof sheeting appeared to be on except where the dormers are, as they were not built yet. I think that was on the agenda for today after he put in the plumbing vents out the roof, as that was first on his list.
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I asked about putting a timer on the bathroom fans. I don't think we were quite on the same page as he was probably thinking of a manual "twist" timer, while I was thinking of something more like this:
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http://www.energyfederation.org/consumer/default.php/cPath/39_766_134
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with a hidden adjustable timer behind the switch. You can turn off the switch and the light goes off but the fan still runs for up to 1 hour. I'll have to print that out and show it to him.
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Looked at plumbing fixtures today and my, have they gotten expensive. Ouch.
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Jury duty is over

Served my one day on jury duty today and didn't get called to serve, so I am done for the next year.
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Our builder was out ordering the "solatubes" (not sure of the brand) we have going in the master closet and our son's bathroom for some extra light. For those that haven't seen them, they are something like this:
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http://www.solatube.com/residential.php
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I was also wondering about the solar powered attic fan vents, but our builder has had some not-so-wonderful experiences with them, as he says he has one and has put them in for others, but they tend to break down after a while. He's putting extra eave and gable-end vents in and along with the foil-backed roofing and whole-house fan, thinks it should be fine without the extra fans.
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We are anticipating a little rain over the next few days (40-70% chance of showers). We'll have to see how much we can get done with that kind of pattern.
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We have to get our plumbing fixtures selected soon - we found some nice, offbeat ones at a local store my wife wants to use in our son's bathroom, but I think we might go with Delta for most of them. We found some nice ones we like in a catalog and need to go talk about pricing with the plumbing supply place our contractor uses frequently. He can get a nice discount there, and they have been very helpful and friendly when we visited previously.
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Starting to look like a house

Most of the roof sheeting was finished today - you can clearly see the ridges and valleys on the front porch now (top photo) and the finished garage (bottom photo) - compare to yesterdays pictures. The only major areas of the roof remaining is the area over the non-master bedrooms (bottom photo right side, mostly hidden, south side of house) and the dormer windows (top photo, those two rectangular "holes" in the roof). I'm pretty sure he'll be tackling those on Monday.

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The builder will have the door guy track down one of those magnetic chalkboard doors for us, he thinks he knows where to get one at a reasonable cost.

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The builder put in for his second draw, but the funds were not transferred soon enough today for me to get a check made out, so we will have to get it to him ASAP next week.

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I have to go in for jury duty on Monday, so my schedule next week could be a bit screwy. We'll have to play it by ear for a few days.

Roof sheeting going on

The builder is putting on the oriented strand board (OSB) roof sheeting - back part of the house (top photo) is mostly done, and they were working on the front today. Most of the regular OSB sheeting on the front walls of the house is installed too.

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The roof sheeting is LP TechShield: http://tinyurl.com/qj4qw

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You can see it in the lower photo on the support next to the ladder. The aluminum overlay on the OSB is supposed to help the attic stay cool in the summer and save electricity.

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Apparently we have several things coming together right now. Windows have been ordered and should be delivered in a week or so. Doors were apparently ordered today (at least the door guy came out to check sizes, etc). The roofer is coming out tomorrow to give his estimate as well.

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As soon as the sheeting is finished, I think he's ready for the Tyvek wrap. Then windows and doors and roofing (hopefully roofing before the rains hit, a chance of which is being called for by next Friday). Then comes the plumbing and electrical and siding, I think. Not really sure at this point exactly what comes when, but then that is his job, not mine. I just get to show up on occasion and check out how progress is doing and learn as this goes along. My feeling is some of these things are somewhat flexible depending on weather, etc.

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My wife wants a magnetic chalkboard on the pantry door (I forgot about this) so I need to see if he can track one of those down for us at a decent price. Something like this, I think:

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http://www.millenniumdoors.com/marking.html