August 12, 2006
drywall day 3
Day three was much like day two, only with a little drama in the mix.
There was one guy here again yesterday, from about 8:30 to 3:30. He was mudding over the areas that had been taped and mudded the day before, and he tackled a few key areas. Mostly, the mud stripes on the walls are wider and smoother.
There are 2 places where the wallboard transitions to the old plaster, and there are 3 fireplaces where the wallboard meets the brick. Yesterday morning each of these transitions was a ragged line; at the end of the day everything was part of a whole.
For the line at the bricks of the fireplace, he used a long L-shaped piece (like the ones used for corners) but it was turned to provide a smooth edge to the cut in the drywall. He then mudded this smooth edge and the brick together, making a seamless connection. It looks nice, as if it were supposed to be like this.
On poking around morning, we found 3 things about the job so far that are troublesome. As the bulk of the work has been great so far, we’re withholding judgement until we see how these things get resolved. First, having removed the cover to the panel box, they seem to have lost the screws to put it back on. Second, there is one outlet that was abandoned behind drywall. These are small and easily rectified, but we’re a little perplexed about the third issue.
On the day of the hanging of the drywall, they inadvertantly cut a run of the baseboard molding. (In some placed we were smart and left the baseboard in place, like here.) There is 3 or 4-foot section of the molding where the top is jagged now, like bad teeth. They have responded well to this, promising that it would be fixed but the language difficulties have contributed to sense of uncertainty.
We were a little freaked and a little pissed - why did they cut the molding?!? My carpenter friend Clay came and had a look and was nonchalant, assuring us that it wouldn’t be difficult to make right. We all have different skills…
The drywall guy(s) will be working through the weekend. The lead guy said that we’d be ready for painting on Sunday night. What an amazing 5 days!
We have a pile on the porch.
The contrast between the brick and drywall is remarkable. The “old” brick looks great. I did not imagine it would look that good. Sort of an 1860 look. Good Stuff. We are very happy for you. MRM is doing the “Dance of Joy!”
I wouldn’t worry too much about the issues yet. The drywall guys don’t live there; they don’t know every square centimeter as well as you do. As long as you point out the problems, I’m sure they’ll take care of it.
I think you are incredibly lucky to have such a skilled bunch of people doing the work. If all you can find are three (small) issues so far it is remarkable.
My aunt had an entire house rocked about 25 years ago. There were different crews for things. One group did nothing but hang it (all they used were milk crates they stacked) then another group did the taping and bedding all in about three days. She was floored at how fast they did the work.
So they showed up and then left yesterday — the mud put down the day before hadn’t dried completely.
Wow! You guys are going to be moving downstairs soon. When the mud goes on, you’re in the home stretch.