The Building of Greuel Manor: September 2014

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Slowly but surely

Progress has continued over the last several days but nothing too noticeable. They've spent a lot of time hooking up the pool cover and fine tuning the adjustments. It is mostly done, just having problems with the sensors that tell it when to stop when it is getting close to the end. Hope to have that fixed next week. I also have a problem with the handle. I installed it but they put the holes in the concrete in the wrong location and the cover will not close all the way. I was not happy about this at first, but after some time, cooled off and I think we've come up with a solution. We can plug the existing holes with a stainless steel plug and it looks like they are going to be able to install a bracket on the side that will hold the handle and allow the cover to slide underneath it. The guys came Friday to repair the irrigation system. I think it is back to working because the water is turned back on, I have many new sprinkler heads flagged in the yard and have no water leaks. They did have to run some new lines but since it took less than a day to fix, I'm thinking and hoping that bill won't be too bad and there was no major damage done. Other than the few things left with the pool, sod and a little more landscaping is all that's left. Once that's complete, the fence can be finished.... and done! I did get to go for a swim a few times this weekend and everything is great! I'm getting ready to take off on another adventure so no posts for a while... it sure would be great to come home to a completed project!

Sprinklers marked

New irrigation lines

Handle installed... wrong location

Handle installed.... wrong location

Looking good!

Pool cover won't completely close

Nice warm weekend!

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Mulch, Stepping Stones, and Fire

All of the mulch is now spread around, the stepping stones are down, and the landscapers have left for now. They will be back to plant a few remaining things, put down the sod and do a final mulching after the irrigation is back in working order. Other than those things, there are just a few odds and ends left. I spent the weekend doing a lot of watering, cleanup, and installing the pump on the pool cover. Everything is really starting to come together and is looking great. I was able to light the fire pit for the first time... amazing. I'm really happy that I ended up working that into the plans and even happier that it is gas and I have instant fire with no wood to mess with.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Fire Pit Finishing Touches & Mulch

The grade work is finished, the berm is repaired, and the skid steer is finally gone. Piles of mulch everywhere today and the fire pit is full of rocks. After the landscapers spread the mulch around tomorrow, they will be leaving for a while so the irrigation crew can come in and do their thing. I should be able to light the fire pit tomorrow. Getting closer!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Landscaping and dirt work almost complete!

Things have been moving slowly because of the rain but they are moving. Almost all of the planting and dirt work is complete. There might be a little more grading to do but it looks like most everything has been planted. Things are looking great. Last weekend I raised my air conditioner and installed a window well extension with some wonderful help from Aunt Liz. This will allow the area behind the fire pit bench to be built up to the level of the new concrete. The fire pit ring was installed but was taken apart when I looked tonight so something must not be working quite right with that. They are going to check the slope of the yard to make sure it will drain correctly. After that all that's left is the electrical work on the pool cover, the irrigation, a few more sections of fence and some finishing touches, then grass and mulch. I'm hoping everyone is done and gone by the end of next week but time will tell.