Heat Security
December 11, 2012 |
22 Comments
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We are DIYing our moms a Duplex in Alaska! Check out our progress so far as we owner build a home, step by step. Read the Momplex blog here.
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posted by Ana White
Ever wonder what the Interior of Alaska looks like in November?
Well, here you go ... our winter wonderland, with the sun setting at 3:22 on a balmy afternoon. Temperature -35F.
This is what November looks like in Interior Alaska.
And this is what shaking a tree in Interior Alaska looks like in November.
And this is what working inside a not quite insulated Momplex looks like.
Down coats, insulated bibs, snow boots, gloves. This is a warm day.
On a cold day, it looks the same ... just no workers.
We can do temporary heat, and borrowed this heater from my brother. But the exhaust is awful and require ventilation, and it burns alot of fuel. It's good for spot heating, but not reasonable for our situation as a main heat source.
We have this temporary heat source today to heat the ceiling up to allow us to spray foam. Spray foam is a warm weather creature and doesn't quite work right when it's -35 below out ... and inside too.
Yes, today's the big day!!! We are putting the ceiling insulation in and will have the Momplex fully insulated today!
This is a big day for us!
Of course, we got to get all dressed up for this special occasion!
White tie.
And up the ladder he goes.
In the attic, we have the spray foam kit.
You can buy the little bottles, but you would need so many, we opted for the box.
All ceiling electrical boxes get spray foamed to prevent any heat loss through the boxes.
Bathroom vents are spray foamed as well.
This place is a high security prison for heat. Every possible opening is spray foamed.
And we've got the heat source plumbed up to make sure it sets up right.
But the spray foam is just for the open cracks that will allow moisture to escape and build up in the attic. We also have to insulate to prevent the warm air temperature from escaping.
We will be blowing in insulation. With the blow in insulation, we get a free rental of the blower, which fluffs the insulation and blows in up a pipe into the attic.
Insert insulation here.
The bags get cut in half.
And stuffed into the opening, half a bag at a time.
Easy? Yes. Fast? No.
One bag down, 74 to go.
This process took much longer than expected, and when finally done, it was well past dark.
Everyone was too tired to celebrate that night, but we all felt a huge burden lifted from our shoulders. Whatever Alaska brings us, we can keep working inside the Momplex for the rest of the winter.
Thanks for seeing us to this huge milestone!
PS - A special thanks to our dear friend who helped us insulate who insists on being anonymous.
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Congratulations on another
Congratulations on another big step! It's great that you will finally be able to work in a reasonable semblance of comfort as you move forward on the Momplex.
I actually teared up seeing
I actually teared up seeing you guys in short sleeves and shorts at the end. Congratulations on this huge milestone.
Now get cracking on kitchen cabinets! I'd like to see some fancy bathroom ones too. Integrated laundry bins perhaps?
oh man, me too. ana, whenever
oh man, me too.
ana, whenever i think that what i have to do is more than i can handle, i think of you making this home for your parents.
god bless, keep warm, santa's looking forward to showering you with goodies this year.
xxx
I'm so glad you finally got
I'm so glad you finally got the Momplex's insulated. Congrats!
clips
Took My Breath Away!
That last picture actually made me gasp with delight! Congratulations to the Tundra Trio plus friend! Warmth! Fun projects!! Light at the end of the tunnel?!!! Happy dancing for you!
Ciao!
Guerrina
So excited for you. Had been
So excited for you. Had been holding my breath hoping that you had made progress on this important step! I knew it must be COLD there, because it made it to 16º (above) here in Oklahoma last night and I'm whining!
Woo Hoo! Such a big step
Woo Hoo! Such a big step towards completion of the momplex! I can't wait to see what you have planned for the inside.
clips
I am so happy for you! I'll
I am so happy for you! I'll bet you are so glad that job is done! Congrats and looking forward to hearing more!
Congrats!
What a wonderful Christmas present to yourselves! :D
clips
Awesome!
Did you install a heat source yet, or is that still to come (or did I miss the post)? Either way, congrats! I hope electricity can follow soon for you!
clips
Hooray for insulation!!!!
Hooray for insulation!!!!
posted by Pam the Goatherd | on Tue, 2012-12-11 23:47
YAY!!!
Thank God you have insulation. Now for heat! What a luxury it will be to be able to feel your hands and toes. No more frozen toesen! LOL! So happy for you and proud of you all for hanging in there as long as you all have. I could never have done that. It's in the 20s here now and like Louise, I, too, am whining. Cheering you on!
clips
Hey everyone!!!! Thank you
Hey everyone!!!! Thank you so sooooooooooo much for helping us get to this point! We can hardly believe it ourselves! It's a huge relief to know we don't have to kill ourselves to work on the Momplex anymore! We are so thankful - thank you for keeping us encouraged and inspired!
Ok I fess up - it wasn't quite THAT warm in there yet ... but it's not -50!
You are the best, thank you for reading and commenting!
I knew that last picture had
I knew that last picture had been photoshopped, but I am still so excited you get to keep working on the momplex this winter! I absolutely LOVE learning about this adventure, I am so excited for each new step.
Love the Mom Plex
I have loved watching the progress on your Momplex! Thank you for sharing. Hugs,
Bj
posted by Joy2Journey (not verified) | on Wed, 2012-12-12 18:53
Congratulations!!! What a
Congratulations!!! What a landmark day. It has been fascinating watching the step by step progress of your mom-plex. And completely inspiring! Thanks for all your posts - they are wonderful!!
Insulation Code
Glad to see you got insulation in! That has got to be like winning the lottery.
Just curious, down here in Georgia, the code is 18-22". How much do you have to have up there in AK?
clips
Thank you anonymous!
This is such a huge step - CONGRATS! Moms can move in now, work's over ;-)
Ok, maybe not.. but you're so close! Exciting stuff, here!
Gina - Lady Goats
DIY Blogger (when I'm not procrastinating)
http://www.ladygoats.com
posted by Lady Goats | on Thu, 2012-12-13 11:50
Warm Fuzzies
Hip-Hip-Hooray! What a giant step necessary to let you all work in relative comfort during the Alaskan winter. I'm loving the series and now I can relax a bit as winter sets in!
This is a huge milestone!!!
This is a huge milestone!!! Being warm is great!!! Congrats on getting some warmth in that place. YAY!!!!!
And of course, since this is
And of course, since this is the Momplex, we gotta do everything twice. Otherwise one Mom will say, Oh no, I don't need a dryer, save it for the other Mom. And the other will say the same thing and we'll end up with two clotheslines out the front of the Momplex. Exit Device
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