Back on the Horse

OK!

Now, 9 months later ...
I've passed both electrical and framing inspections
with flying colors, first time,
thanks to expert help from Lama Solar and Mark Sjoberg.

Exhaust for on-demand water heater and bathroom air vent

now both go through the roof, water proofed - thanks Mark!

Metal pipes: bathroom left, waterheater exhaust right.

Insulation is now 90% done.

A guy about 5 miles away has a herd of yak (yaks?).

They'd look nice next to a ger (yurt)...

More soon, promise!
Drywall intensive begins Tuesday next week!

Still Here...

Brrr!

Well, things have slowed down on my building project. I did install my electric system, and everything was looking good, until I called for an inspection, only to discover I CAN'T install my own electric system until I've taken and passed a "homeowner's electrical examination."

The Panel

OK, I took the exam, and failed. Plus, the examiner (also the electric inspector for my part of Taos county), on looking at my plans, noted that I'd used #14 wire for all lighting and sockets, and told me this is incorrect - I must use #12 wire (thicker) for all sockets. This means that most of the work I'd done now must be ripped out and redone...AND I have to wait 30 days if I want to take the test again. My advisor says the inspector is wrong - stay tuned.

Ready to do over...

So, here I sit. Until I pass the electric inspection. I can't have the final framing inspection, and until I pass that, I can't insulate and put up the drywall … and get warm.

I'm trying to decide whether to take the test again or just hire an electrician to do it for me, or at least sign off on my (redone) work.

In the meantime, we've gotten a lot of snow, and nighttime temperatures are below zero most nights.

The ditch ran for a little while after the first snow.

The animals like fire.