Concepts in Construction

Based on the deconstruction of the house so far, I’m developing a list of building concepts utilized in the original construction that, just shouldn’t have been used.

1- Eyeball once, cut once, fill the rest with expanding spray foam. This methodology was used extensively in the house. The front door was basically held in place with spray foam and under the bedroom addition, there was a gaping hole pumped full of the stuff. It is more advisable to measure twice, cut once and not need all the foam.

2- If  two nails are good, fourteen must be better. Much of the wood coming out of the tear down portion of the house cannot be reused because it’s hammered full of THOUSANDS of nails. Boards look like porcupines! The 2x4s have so many nails, they are perforated and I’ve snapped several in half accidentally along the nail lines.

3- Hot or cold, vent on left or right, don’t worry, you have 50 percent chance of guessing it correctly. For hot water in the tub, you have to dial the water to cold. While this is an annoyance, it’s so simple to check before you do the plumbing. On their old washing machine setup, they had the choice of venting to the roof stack before or after the “U” trap. They chose the wrong side–something you couldn’t see until the wall was open.

That’s all I have time to list for now. I have to cut out some more spray foam. And yes, it finally happened…stepped on a nail last night. Fortunately I’m current on my tetanus shots after being attacked by a dog two years ago.