After a small setback, we continue shoring up the roof, hammering the bad cement off the roof, cleaning up and generally playing Hercules in the Augean Stables. In keeping with the title of this week's episode, we start with a photo of my able assistant Jack. In order to reach the roof joists, we discover the trick of putting a sturdy 2x6 or 4x4 on the lip of the jack and using it as an extension to push the roof back into place. This is done a few inches at a time at various spots.
We learn early on that a jack under pressure will kick back if things slip, so work proceeds slowly as we build up masonry and/or place wood shims underneath the various spots we're endeavoring to lift. Fortunately, project management stays out of the way since there's hard work to be done...
Roof damage repaired, we set out to craft a more efficient system for delivering cement to the roof. I start off by laying concrete blocks on their sides, hammering pins into the ground to hold the blocks together and then pouring cement to create a temporary slab. I maneuver four 4x4 posts 16 feet long to form a framework for an elevator cage, tying it together with studs and blood.
A look at the finished elevator cage shows a nice electric winch with a remote control supported by a sturdy framework. The winch is rated at 440 pounds, certainly more than enough to lift a wheelbarrow (note the open front side to allow clearance for the wheelbarrow handles) with cement. And you thought we'd run into trouble last week, didn't you...?
Here is the site of the disaster pictured last week, cleaned up and with better roof supports in place. The entry doors to the bed and bath in this wing are marked by the #1. The column near the #3 is a new roof support. We have laid down 2x4s cut to length and glued them to the floor to begin building interior walls for the bathroom and shower (which is in the area marked #2). Again in keeping with our title, there's a reason we finish this week's episode out with your humble correspondent claiming my crown as El Rey de Sweat Equity...
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