How We Are Saving $10,000+ 

If you've been keeping up with the vlogs, you'll know that we've been working hard on replacing all of the sewer and plumbing lines in the house so we can move back in. We originally got a quote for having a professional do the work (back when we were getting the contract work done), but the quote came back around $13,000 (ouch) just to lay piping. Sam and I like to do as much ourselves as possible, but saving around $10,000 was extra motivation, for sure!

In order to pass the initial inspection to purchase the house back in 2019, we had to make repairs to the bathroom piping upstairs in the master bathroom. We noticed then that they were old metal pipes and almost completely rusted through and clogged with gunk. Not wanting to risk a plumbing failure later on, we decided to replace all the plumbing and sewer lines first thing after the major construction was finished.

Boy has it been a process. 

First, draw lines on the floor where we are going to either remove or eventually put back piping. (This picture is in the basement).

Then, use the concrete saw to cut up the concrete along the lines. The first time we only had the saw and it about killed Sam's back and took FOREVER. So we purchased a cart to hold the saw, which made things so much easier. You might also notice the tubing attached to the saw. Since we had to use the saw indoors (and didn't want to die from carbon monoxide poisoning), we hooked up tubing to a woodworking vacuum to suck the exhaust out of the house. First version was the tubing that came with the vacuum--a black plastic meant for sucking up sawdust. When that tubing started smoking, we purchased drier hosing to stand up to the heat. 

Next, we had to jackhammer out all of the concrete in the areas where we would be laying new pipes. In the basement, this was a much easier and faster process because the concrete was able to come away in large chunks. We were able to do the entire basement in an hour whereas upstairs we could only remove about a square foot every five minutes. 

Then came the not so fun part. The digging, digging, digging. Upstairs had rebar (as you can see in the picture), and we did have to remove some of it before we could finish digging. Upstairs ranged from 10.5 to 27 inches in depth and downstairs ranged from 13-21(ish). 

This picture gives you an idea of just how much dirt we had to remove from the trenches upstairs (and then remove from the house). 

The basement was a much smaller area, and we were able to saw, jackhammer, and dig all in one weekend. 

Now that we have finished prepping the space, Sam is in the process of getting us a permit and getting his plumbing designs approved. He used a 3D modeling program to model our house's plumbing system to show to the plumbing inspector in town. At this point, we are approved and just have to get our permit! It won't be long before we can install the plumbing and finally get a toilet and a sink back in our house!

On the farm side of things, it's been really difficult caring for the animals when we aren't living there. We've lost probably five more chickens (to hawks I think), and had to completely lock them in the barn this past weekend to get them through the winter storm. Pancake is still out and about, but there's very little for him to eat since everything is frozen. We also can't leave him food out because he will just engorge himself on it rather than spreading it out and eating as needed. He looks healthy, though, and we feed him every time we are there...so he must like the grass popsicles! Uncle Joey and Pap Pap pitched in together to get him a new leather harness, which is much safer for free-range livestock to wear permanently. They even put his name on it!

On the family side of things, the kids are growing up way too fast! William just turned six months old and can now sit up on his own (note, not pull himself up to a seated position...not yet). 

He is so, so close to crawling! He can for sure crawl backwards, but he is struggling with the forward concept. He rocks from side to side and throws in a few yoga poses when he attempts. It's pretty funny to watch!

He also has the model pose down pat!

I did get tired of his mohawk/mullet, so this happened...

Yes, I know you aren't supposed to cut their hair before they are a year old. But it was so bad. I couldn't help it. 

Lent started, so I'm trying to make it a special season for Rylee. We've been doing cross crafts to hang up around the house on Good Friday, and she helped color the stations of the cross so we can pray it as a family on Fridays. 

Lastly, I'll finish up with some cute pictures of the kids playing in the snow!

Pax Domini cum spirito tuo temper sit,

Torey, Sam, Rylee & William

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