Checkin in from #Workcation: First 3 days of DIY
Categories: Construction, DIY - Tags: copper manifold, in-floor heating, installation, pex, radiant heating, soldering, video footageWorkcation:
work·ca·tion (noun)
1. A period of vacation from normal work activities, not used for rest, recreation, or travel, but rather used to work your house: Eg. Team Dreamhouse is on workcation right now.
This week Kes and I decided to take the week off to knock a huge DIY off our to-do list. We’ll be installing our radiant in-floor heating system. We’ll get into the full details of radiant heating in a more in-depth post in the coming weeks, but right now I just wanted to give you a quick glimpse into the fun we’ve been having so far…
Day 1
We started off by getting the manifolds for our radiant system put together & soldered, then getting things prepped on site for our week.
- Soldering a manifold for our radiant system
- Soldering a manifold for our radiant system
- Kes heating the copper pipe
- Applying solder to the heated joint to seal it
- Loading up the van with scaffolding at Home Depot
- Depot van all loaded up!
- Scaffolding assembled and ready.
- Attaching the manifold to the mounting bracket
- Mounting the Manifold
Day 2
Getting over the learning curve! We ran the first & most complex of our pex runs with surprisingly little trial & error.
- Reviewing the plans. The key to any DIY.
- All set to try out our new Ryobi 18-Volt One+ Right Angle Drill
- Kes drilling the holes for our pex runs
- Pex loops coming along
- Gettin dark – still at it!
- First pex run complete!
Day 3
Pex runs continued.
- So many runs to do…
- Taking turns definitely helped keep each of us from tiring out.
- Gettin there…
We also spent a good deal of the day cleaning & clearing out the space to prep for insulation (which is starting tomorrow!!)
All in all, not bad for a few days’ work. We’re feeling a huge sense of accomplishment – even if it does come with a few sore & tired muscles!
Aaaaaaand now we’re off to bed…
Awesome job!!!! Also you are brave – me and scaffolding don’t mix well! I prefer standing on a high ladder any day.
Thanks Danica! Being up on the scaffolding was a bit scary when we were working on the patio overhang outside since the ground is still uneven. But once we got inside it was WAAAY sturdier. Beats a ladder for sure!
Great work guys!! Must feel pretty good to get in there and get to work! Super jealous of your in floor heat
Thanks Becki! It does feel good! Its amazing how much you can get accomplished when you have the time to focus on one project. Definitely looking forward to another workcation or two before the summer’s out.
We just had a workcation to work in the garden! Love being able to concentrate on a project uninterrupted.
Looks like you are making great progress!
Thanks Heather! I’m not much good in the garden – I think I have a black thumb. Lol! Hopefully thats a skill I’ll be able to work on more once we get settled. Thanks for following along!
I’m super impressed! First off, you must have amazing tricep and shoulder power to be working with your arms up all day and how the heck are you doing this in the heat?!! I would have collapse in the first hour. Phenomenal job!!! You are a rocking couple! I’m so excited for you!
Awww…thanks Sabrina! We definitely had sore neck & shoulder muscles at the end of each day. There was lots of Advil involved. Lol! Felt good to be able to make so much progress though.
Wowza! Good for you! You’re going to be so proud once you’ve finished!
And I love the term “workcation.”
We’ll be taking some of those this summer.
Thanks Tara! I love the term too. Although I can’t take credit for it. I borrowed it from Danica after her workcation earlier this spring.
Just reading this makes me feel tired. You are getting so much done!
Lol! It was a pretty tiring week, Katie. I think I may have over-taxed my body a tad actually because now I’m battling a not-so-awesome chest cold. The progress ALMOST makes it worth it though…almost. Lol!
When I visited Denmark, everyone had in floor heating (and sometimes cooling!) Having a warm floor makes your whole body feel warmer, even if the ambient temperature is lower. You’re going to love infloor heating, and its going to be great for resale (and your heating bills!)
I think this is one of the features of your home that you will be thrilled to have. And how cool that you guys did it!