Pictoral History of the Mighty Septic
Posted: August 19, 2009 Filed under: Madaghan | Tags: House Projects, Kubota BX24, Leach field, morons, Pictoral History of the Mighty Septic 3 Comments »What the hell are you doing with a tractor?, Why is it orange? What will you do with a tractor? or You’ll shoot your eye out kid!
Here is the story:
One day while raking leaves, I stepped on a white pipe. I thought to myself: “That’s peculiar…” Now, I do not know much about the engineering and design of a good septic system, but I am willing to bet that criss-crossed pipe sticking out of the ground is not in the design schematics:
November 4, 2004. Here we go...
I love my house builder. Thank you sir, you are a gentlemen and scholar. And a douchebag.
I think the pipes need to be connected? I am no expert....but....wow.
Given the house at that time was not even a year old and already having problems with its digestive system (sorry), I held a flint glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe it could be a quick fix.
At first, I dug just a bit and uncovered two pipes that were not connected! Whoo Hoo! mystery solved. All I have to do is dig up the one pipe and replace it. I am home free. I thought this pipe was the reason my backyard was a swamp. Thought I could dig it out, replace it, and problem solved.
I know I would fix it licekty -split.
November 11 2004. I think someone was drinking when installing the shit disposal system.
So here is what I dug up at first:
We've only just begun....
Well little did I know that the pipes were in 10 foot lengths and as a bonus were not even close to being on the correct slope. One might concludethat the morons who installed this either had one leg shorter than the other or were severly retarded. While I applaud hiring the handicapped and giving everyone a job, could it not be the job that ensures my shit flows down hill at a 1% slope?
Once unearthed, it was further revealed that now two pipes needed to be replaced. April 2005-I took vacation and started to dig with visions of fixing the shit system Either that or striking oil:
I really like digging long rectangles.
The project was moving along. Pipes were being replaced a little at a time on weekends and after work. Digging in my backyard is not easy due to the rocks and boulders every few shovel fulls.
April 10 2005. Digging rectangles by hand is fun.
I enlisted some help, and got some observers. They thought this was a union gig. Day one: Dad Curin and Sierra went on strike.
Break time again?
April 16, 2005: I Fired my helpers.
April 27 2005 Done?
A little more than a year later and what is this? A brand spanking new Kubota BX24:
July 29 2006 Orange colored hickmobile -with cruise control
Why? Swampland. So, what went wrong? I neglected the stone, and the landscaping fabric, and some other pipes needed to be changed. My backyard from April 05 through July 2006 was hanging in there until one day, while mowing the lawn, I discovered a puddle near the fence. I as sure as shit (ha ha) was not going to dig that mess up again by hand.
I would have dug it up again.
You again? Go sew something. Anyway, I got a few estimates ranging from 15-17K. It just so happens that this safety orange beauty is 17K. Sure, I would have to dig again, but this time I would have hydraulics and 24 horses on my side. Oh, and an orange bucket. Than at the end of the project, I will have a new septic AND new tractor. Capeche?
The Kubota worked nicely. The rocks are still a pain in the ass, but still better than with a manual shovel. Pretty soon I was back digging rectangles. Only this time, I will dig loooong rectangles because I am silly like that. So in April 2007 I took more vacation time and got back to work.
New Distribution Box and grey water. Yummy.
View from the deck
May 12 2007 Even more rectangles
BONUS PIC!! A special mention from Google Maps!!! I looked my house up one day and could not believe it! There I am on the tractor getting stone from the pile in the driveway and dumping them into the trenches. One might notice a Jeep Liberty in the driveway. Dad had to come up from Long Island to watch Madaghan so I could get some work done. I think Maddie had a fever and could not go to daycare.
I am google famous.
I carefully placed the stone over the pipes checking for grading all the time. If the grading is off, the shit runs back into the distribution box and well, I am not digging this a 3rd time. Carefully,the stones fell into place and the landscape fabric was over the top to keep the dirt out. Water goes in, dirt stays out.
Fabric, Stone, Pipe, oh my.
Distribution box covered by landscape fabric
Tractor drag racing..
June 06 2007 Covered with fill. Or perhaps covered Phil.
Here is what that mess looks like today:
Much more betterer
Bar Build 003
Posted: September 26, 2008 Filed under: Bar Build | Tags: House Projects, How to build a basement bar 9 Comments »So here is a picture of how far I have gotten.
Side View
The black box seen is a refridgerator with the door taken off, it will keep the keg cool. The area on the right will be boxed in and insulated. Next up is the electrician to run the lights and sockets.
LandscapeProject update
Posted: September 23, 2008 Filed under: Landscaping | Tags: House Projects, Landscape project Leave a comment »I started to dig into the hill directly in front of the house. We wanted to open it up a little, give some more breathing room, little more of a front yard.
Digging into the hill
Another view
Here is the view towards the street.
I uncovered this spawn of hell and it took me a whole day to dig it out.
Hello. I am heavy.
Positive Rant about Seekamp Lumber
Posted: September 14, 2008 Filed under: Rant | Tags: House Projects, Rant Leave a comment »On Sunday, Sept 14th I went to Seekamp Lumber, 97 Boniface Dr. Pine Bush, NY 12566 (845) 744-2300 trying to buy 3/4″ inch plywood. I pull into the parking lot at 10:30am (8am-12noon Sundays)hoping to get 3 sheets of plywood cut to fit into the back of the Saturn. The guy behind the counter asks what part of Pine Bush I am from and says he will deliver it. For nothing. WHAT??? Someone going above and beyond??? He could have just cut the wood, put it into the back of the Saturn and called it a sale. However, he was genuinely interested in my bar project and wanted to be sure I would have no waste. He showed up at my house at 12:30 and we unloaded his truck. So instead of having a bunch of cut up sheets, I had 3 full 4x8s. It pays to shop local. I know I would not have recieved such personal service from Lowes or Home Depot. Those stores could care less about their customers. Thank you very much Seekamp Lumber, I will now purchase all my lumber from you instead of the giant box store.
Bar Build 001: Day ONE!
Posted: September 12, 2008 Filed under: Bar Build | Tags: House Projects, How to build a basement bar 7 Comments »
The First Trip
On Sept 10, 2008 I decided to build a bar. I hopped in the Jeep, went to the lumber yard and picked up four 2×4′s. I am not sure what I got myself into, but I am going to give it a shot…so I could have shots. Get it?
The Before Pic
The bar will go where the TV is. Hoping to fit like 4 or 5 people along the bar. Behind the wall is the washer and dryer, which is convenient for the sink and the kegerator. I think I will hire a plumber to install the sink, and an electrician to run the lights and outlets. Leave some things to the licensed professionals. This project is a bit ambitious but this room is basicly a catch all and not a defined space. Fear not those of you wondering what is happening to the king-size guest bed. It will go along the wall in front of the fireplace in the form of a Murphy Bed.
Construction begins.
Construction begins.
Sept 11 2008, I took the Saturn this time so the boards will fit.
Sept 11 2008. Second Trip
I bought ten 2x4s this time. I ripped up the rug, and laid out the foundation and floor supports. Rug up, floor supports in. So far, so good.
Rug up, floor supports in
