Saturday, 1/26/08

The Thursday crew wasn’t able to work due to the weather, so Saturday was our third workday. The day started out a little cool and very cloudy. By lunchtime the sun came out and the temps were in the low to mid-60s. We had another very productive and successful workday. Our workday mishap of the day occurred when of our fair crew managed to cut the cord off of the circular saw. We won’t mention any names, but she also happens to keep up with our photos and writes this blog.

We had a crew of 16 at our peak today to rack up about 96 man hours. Our homeowner was able to come out to the site and lend a hand today as well. The morning started out building the archway headers. The closets and pantries were completed along with the long wall for the bedrooms. By the end of the day, we had all of the interior walls laid out, constructed and put up. We got started on the top lines and will continue working to put those up on Thursday if weather permits. Thursday’s crew will also work on finishing sheathing the outside of the house and maybe start cutting out the windows and doors. There’s plenty more to do to get ready for building the rafters and getting a roof over our heads.

Monday, 1/21/08 – TAMUG Workday

I hope everyone enjoyed their Martin Luther King holiday as much as we did at the Habitat house today! It was a true day of service for everyone. We had over 35 volunteers from Texas A&M University at Galveston who did an awesome job of getting things done. Thank you TAMUG!!

Of course our day started with a little excitement. Our lumber delivery truck ended up stuck in the mud and had to be towed out. We mistakenly thought the “driveway” had dried out enough to be able to get the lumber closer to the house. Fortunately, this all occurred before our volunteers arrived and we were able to get right to work. Pleasantly, today’s low temperature was in the lower 50s, but it was misty and rainy almost all day. Thankfully, the “real” rain held off until we were finished for the day.

The first order of business was to attach all of the hurricane clips. As you can imagine, 35 bright-eyed and bushy-tailed volunteers made short work of this task. Let me tell you, the pounding of 35 hammers all at once makes a very joyful noise!! We then set a group of them off to start attaching the plywood sheathing to the outside of the house. This is no small feat, as the house has to be made square again before the plywood can be attached. The plumbing wall and 2 other interior walls were completed and tacked into place. Despite the mist and intermittent rain, it was another very productive day.

Tasks for Thursday’s Crew: Sheathing, cutting holes for windows and doors out of the sheathing that’s already attached, top line.

Saturday, January 19, 2008 – BP Workday

Thanks to everyone who came out to work on our latest Habitat house today!!! We’ve had a slow couple of weeks building up to Workday #1, but we finally got here! After 3 days of rain, the slab was poured Thursday. This task was not without its trials. The cement trucks ended up buried up to their axles in mud and it took additional equipment and time to get them out. Thankfully, the slab cured enough for us to start work today.

Workday #1 started out cloudy and a chilly 38° with a little breeze. By lunchtime, the skies had cleared and the temperature was near 50°. We had approximately 35 volunteers and accomplished a great deal today – the forms were removed from the foundation, the old barbeque pit at the back of the property was demolished, and all four external walls were completed and bolted to the foundation. The headers (the “beams” that go in between the studs where door and window openings are that carry loads to the adjoining studs) for all of the interior doors were completed and are ready for our next workday. On another happy note, we got to meet the new homeowner. She’s a very nice lady with two children and we’re looking forward to having her and the kids out on the home site.

Workday #2 is scheduled for Monday (Martin Luther King Day). There will be a crew of students from the Texas A&M University at Galveston. This may be another interesting day, because the weather forecast again includes rain. At least the temperatures will be a little better – we should have a low of 60° and a high of 63°. We hope to get the interior walls done on Monday if the weather cooperates.

Next tasks to complete: Put up the Habitat sign, install exterior sheathing, cut out windows and doors, install hurricane straps, remove old “dog run” in the back yard, begin work on roof and attic joists.

5422 Campbell St. Status & Directions

Hello Fellow Habitat Workers!

Status: I stopped out at the work site (5422 Campbell Street in Texas City) this weekend to take a look around. The forms are set for the slab to be poured. The plumbing was inspected on Thursday and we should have a slab sometime today or tomorrow. The big tree you see to the left of the foundation will be removed prior to start of construction. We may have to clear some brush and do some other work on the lot in addition to working on the slab.

I learned that we actually own two lots next to each other here, so we will likely be building here for the next couple of years. Street parking is somewhat limited, but seeing as we own the lot to the west as well, we will park as many there as we can. We will meet around 8:30 am at the site (see below for directions). Work hours are about 8:30 am to 1:30 pm with a short break for lunch – there is not a solid volunteer time commitment. We’ll take any free hours you’re willing to give. No registration is required. All that’s needed is a desire to help out and willingness to get a little dirty in the process. Bring your grubby jeans, boots or old tennis shoes and a pair of work gloves. We’ll provide the rest.

Directions:

From I-45: Go south on I-45 to the Palmer Highway/1764 exit. Go east to the State Highway 3 exit. Take a right and go south approximately 1/2 mile to Mentor Drive (it’s one of two streets that cross the railroad tracks and it’s just past the Rising Star Baptist Church on the left side of Highway 3). Turn right onto Oak Street and go two blocks to Campbell Street. Take a left and we’re the 2nd house on the left. If you get to 1765, you’ve passed the site, but you can turn onto Oak Street from 1765.

From Hwy 146: Go south on Highway 146 to the Palmer Highway/1764 exit. Take Palmer Highway west toward I-45 approximately 1 mile (it’s the same exit as Mainland Hospital). Turn left (south) on Highway 3 and proceed pproximately 1/2 mile to Mentor Drive (it’s one of two streets that cross the railroad tracks and it’s just past the Rising Star Baptist Church on the left side of Highway 3). Turn right onto Oak Street and go two blocks to Campbell Street. Take a left and we’re the 2nd house on the left. If you get to 1765, you’ve passed the site, but you can turn onto Oak Street from 1765.

See you on January 19th!!

Home #11 Construction Delay

This just in…

The construction kickoff at the latest home site will be delayed one week and will occur Saturday, January 19th. There were some scheduling issues in getting the temporary power installed, the elevation certified  and the slab poured in time for us to work this weekend, hence the delay.

The worksite is located at 5422 Campbell Street in Texas City. Work hours are 8:30 am  to about 1:30 pm with a short break for lunch – there is not a solid volunteer time commitment. Pre-registration is not required. Habitat will have a sign-in sheet available at the site.

No experience is required – there are plenty of jobs that don’t require any prior knowledge of home construction or repair. If you’re not sure about climbing ladders or operating power tools and you’re interested in learning, we’ll be happy to work with you and show you how it’s done. If not, we’ll be thrilled for you could come out and hold a tape measure, hammer a nail, tighten a nut, hold a ladder or just come down and keep us company. There are plenty of tasks for everyone throughout the building process and everyone, regardless of skillset, is welcome. All you really need is your grubby old jeans, shirts and shoes/boots and a pair of work gloves.

Happy New Year, Habitat Friends!!

The 10th house was completed and dedicated in June 2007. While we weren’t the best at updating this blog site, the Flickr site was updated with our work each Saturday so we could all watch the progress of construction. Sometimes it was absolutely amazing what changed between weeks!

2008 will bring us many changes and challenges. We were not able to secure a lot for House #11 until early December, which means we’ll be working through the heat of the summer and into the fall. The lot will be surveyed, temporary power installed and the slab poured. Framing will start on January 12, 2008.

The site is located at 5422 Campbell Street in Texas City. See the Mapquest Map for directions. See you on the job site!!