EEtwidget Posted October 17, 2015 Report Share Posted October 17, 2015 Nestled in the San Jacinto mountains hides a sleepy throwback to small town America. Half the population seem to be named Bob, Bob Jr, and sometimes even Richard. Mcdonald’s doesn’t exist nor will you find a Subway. A majority of the population seem to be artist and the rest have conversation of draft days and heroic service. My wife and mother-in-law found this place and soon fell in love with the small town feel and fresh mountain air. So much so that shortly after returning they bought a cabin near town. Buying a cabin wasn’t a total surprise, we have all been talking about how much fun a mountain retreat would be. It was a combination of hard times mixed with good fortune that speed up the decision/action. After the initial ‘cuteness’ wore off, I went to work inspecting the structure. I don’t claim to be a builder but I know enough to be dangerous. One of the first things I noticed was the deck. It’s in very bad condition and pulling away from the house. Below are some pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poisonfangs85 Posted October 18, 2015 Report Share Posted October 18, 2015 Nice place! Looks like a great place to relax, once you get your projects done haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEtwidget Posted October 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2015 I do all the work and my wife $ mother-in-law do the relaxing. At least it's an excuse to buy more tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEtwidget Posted October 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2015 The weather is turning and we expect lots of rain. Dumped gravel in the parking structure and around edges. Gravel/Rock guy located within walking distance and gathers materials locally. It always feels good to use local sources.First season here so I'm keeping my eye on water flow. Need to figure something out for the front yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyB Posted October 18, 2015 Report Share Posted October 18, 2015 Looks like a great investment EE,, definitly a great reason to buy more tools.....Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kruton Posted October 18, 2015 Report Share Posted October 18, 2015 Looks like a nice place to get away and do some relaxing. Is working on repairs around the place your way to relax? I know some guys like to mess around with projects to unwind. Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan Posted October 18, 2015 Report Share Posted October 18, 2015 Looks like a nice place to get away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NERemodeling Posted October 19, 2015 Report Share Posted October 19, 2015 That looks like a great place to get away and just enjoy life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEtwidget Posted October 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2015 I'm trying to decide if I should attempt to refurbish the old deck or build a new one. The pressure treated frame is loose as most nails have pulled out and joist hangers have inch size gaps throughout. I'm putting together a CAD of the deck and checking county building codes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted October 19, 2015 Report Share Posted October 19, 2015 I'm trying to decide if I should attempt to refurbish the old deck or build a new one. The pressure treated frame is loose as most nails have pulled out and joist hangers have inch size gaps throughout. I'm putting together a CAD of the deck and checking county building codes.Anytime that ive done deck work the more you tare it down, the more damage you find. It's like putting a bandaid on a broken knee, sometimes your better off just starting from scratch.JimboSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DR99 Posted October 19, 2015 Report Share Posted October 19, 2015 You could probably band aid the deck with some new hangers and putting some lag bolts in the Ledger. It's not a long term fix but might give you a few years to get the time and money together to build a new deck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted October 19, 2015 Report Share Posted October 19, 2015 You could probably band aid the deck with some new hangers and putting some lag bolts in the Ledger. It's not a long term fix but might give you a few years to get the time and money together to build a new deck.That's a good point JimboSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DR99 Posted October 19, 2015 Report Share Posted October 19, 2015 If you do rebuild you should consider having the big tree in the middle of the deck cut down. That is way too big of a tree to be that close to the cabin. The smaller tree is ok but not in a great location either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted October 19, 2015 Report Share Posted October 19, 2015 If you do rebuild you should consider having the big tree in the middle of the deck cut down. That is way too big of a tree to be that close to the cabin. The smaller tree is ok but not in a great location either.My buddy bought a house a few years ago that had a black walnut tree with the deck around it, major mess not only from the nuts but the roots causing the deck to become uneven.JimboSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamianD Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 looks really nice! Ive been talking to the wife about getting one ourselves. Nothing more relaxing than being up the mountains, not even the beach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NERemodeling Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 Makes me want a cabin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 Makes me want a cabinCabins - the original man cave JimboSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NERemodeling Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 Cabins - the original man cave JimboSent from my iPhone using TapatalkAnd still the ultimate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEtwidget Posted October 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 If you do rebuild you should consider having the big tree in the middle of the deck cut down. That is way too big of a tree to be that close to the cabin. The smaller tree is ok but not in a great location either.If you can convince the girls to cut the tree down I'm game. I think it's easier to keep it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEtwidget Posted October 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 Anytime that ive done deck work the more you tare it down, the more damage you find. It's like putting a bandaid on a broken knee, sometimes your better off just starting from scratch.JimboSent from my iPhone using TapatalkThat's what I'm thinking. I want to expand the back deck and its in really bad shape so I'm pretty sure that will be a full rebuild. I might be able to save the front but I'm doubtful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEtwidget Posted October 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2015 Yep, deck is rotten. Time to demo & rebuild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted October 21, 2015 Report Share Posted October 21, 2015 Sawzall time!!JimboSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmikez Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 That suck EE... But on the other hand did u get new tools? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEtwidget Posted October 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Picked up a post hole digger and shovel. Digger is about useless with the big rock and boulders.Decided to use pre made footing with straps instead of poured. I'll still sink the footing and pour some cement.Decided to rake and grade the ground around the foundation. Trying to think about water flow before the new deck goes in. Mounding dirt and slopping away from foundation. I'm going to sink some brick & rock and build a few run-offs to help move more water.While grading I found out the propane pipe is pretty much on the surface. I'll have to dig some more and try to sink that thing a few feet.The next tool I want to pickup is the Milwaukee circular saw. I think it would be a workhorse on this build. I don't trust the electrical in this place anyway.I'm shooting for similar construction to this deck railing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEtwidget Posted October 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 I did pick up some of my grandfathers old nail guns & compressor. Nothing too fancy but it is nice working with the same tools he used. He was a finished carpenter who could do more with hammer and chisel then most men could accomplish with the entire festool product line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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