The very cold weather during early Winter 2022 disrupted my plans to render externally and finish plaster skiming the internal boards, so completed other tasks. Hopefully I will be able to get the either completed during my 2 week visit in February, before my month long visit on March. The restriction of Schengen limits my viists, but regardless I spent 170 days in 2022 and plan to do so again at least in 2023.
I am hoping to complete all the tasks in La Studio during February/March and also those needed in La Maison Grenier, if all goes well by end April!
Sunday 29th Janaury 2023 - Arrived
Made it over as planned on Friday morning and have completed a few garden tidy-up tasks, including pruning the top of the Cherry Tree, that I was too tired to do last time.
It has been around Zero here and is going down to -5 overnight, so the plan will be to complete the Joint Plastering inside La Studio, as outside work is not practicle. Despite no heating on, inside is registering 7degrees, so should be OK to complete and sand this trip!
Monday 30th Janaury 2023 - Filling
As expected, it started at -2 this morning, so I did interior work today and used the Gedimat Mud Plaster to fill the ceiling edges where it meets the roof side. Stapled a mesh webing first and then the mud to fill. Went on well again and sticks so much better than plaster into big holes. So tomorrow can apply a plaster finish.
Also, used the cast iron spirit level to mark up the joints where the gaps are, in readiness for tomorrows final finish coat!
Electrics SUCCESS! - I managed to find which fuse inthe La Maison fuse box was connected to the IN Feed of La Studio. So can now plan to proceed with another full test of all the cabling and then attempt to wire up the Fuse Box, possibly this trip.
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| East Side Ceiling |
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| Check Level Gap |
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| West Side Ceiling |
The end is in sights, although lot of finishing bits still to complete!
Tuesday 31st Janaury 2023 - Downstairs Jointing
A bit of a mixed day. Got the downstairs walls plaster skimmed, as planned and should just need sanding and touch up now.
Decided to check the electrics and have a little problem with the East Side Downstairs Light and both Upstairs ones that haven't been able to solve, so once the rest of the jointing is down I might need to expose some wiring to check and resolve the issue!!
Wednesday 1st February 2023 - Electrics
Had a booked Energy Diagnostic Survey of both houses early this morning to get a Certificate, so commenced work mid morning and decided to concentrate on investigating the upstairs lights electric supply. Having tried to eliminate each step, I determined there must be a problem behind the stairs wall where the two light switches for East and West is located.
I was eventually left with no alternative but to remove a section of the Insulated Plasterbaord, where the cabling run is. Nearly unbelieveably, I discovered a Live Feed cable had not been disconnected from a connection block! My Fault.
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| Stair Wall Repair |
Thursday 2nd February 2023 - Upstairs East Jointing
Managed to get another coat of Jointing on the East Side walls and ceiling done today and should complete the same on the West side tomorrow and leave both to completely dry out over the weekend.
Also, double checked some of the Socket Electics and will complete the rest tomorrow hopefully, before attempting connection to the fuse box next week!
Friday 3rd February 2023 - Upstairs West Jointing
It finally warmed up today and the sun came out and temp got up to 8 degrees! I completed the extra Jointing Coat on the West Side upstairs as planned. Like often the more you do the better you get and realise than only skilled plasterers can do a single skim coat. So, next week once all is dried and I sand everywhere, there will inevitably be spots that need a final skim to tidy up.
Also managed to complete the testing of all the electric sockets up and down, with fitting of some sockets downstairs, but more to do.
Monday 6th February 2023 - Outside Electical Sockets
Had a good morning succeeding to get the exterior sockets installed front and back of La Studio, as shown here.
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| Rear Patio Sockets |
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| Front Courtyard Sockets |
I also emptied a bag of small stone onto the corner pile at the rear and will use these, with the larger stones to create a retaining wall, with succulent planting in the summer.
So tomorrow, I will sand down all the joint plaster, ready for a final skim this week and light sanding before returning to UK on Monday next.
Tuesday 7th February 2023 - Downstairs Sanding
Got the sanding of the joints Downstairs done and started upstairs, but it was clear that some of the deeper plaster was not totally dry and this made it difficult. The cold weather has obviously delayed the totally drying and more time is needed.
Went and got some more sandpaper, but decided not to continue today as I came over too tired. Hopefully, continue and finish tomorrow.
Wednesday 8th February 2023 - Upstairs Sanding
Completed the sanding of the upstairs joints both sides today and ready for another coat of those areas in most need. I swept, hovered and then mopped all the floors up and downstairs to get rid of the vast amount of plaster dust created!.
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| Down East |
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| Up East Front |
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| Down West Front |
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| Down West Rear |
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| Down East Back |
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Thursday 9th February 2023 - Extra Jointing Filling
Mark up the areas that are in need of extra filler, first thing and managed to do nearly all the up and downstairs joints before the filler ran out. Decided not to get another tub this trip, but let it all dry fully and complete the sanding and a top skim next visit.
Will complete some lighting and socket connection tomorrow, making good use of the time!
Friday 10h February 2023 - Downstairs Lighting
Completed the wiring and fitting of the Downstairs Spotlights between the beams today. As is often the case reapeating tasks make each easier and you progress. I fitted 20 downlightes across both sides and tested all as I progress.
HOWEVER, I discovered that the clearance distance between the bottom of the upstairs floor and the bottom of the plasterboard ceiling downstairs is about 5mm TOO SMALL to accomadate the fitting. AGH!!
So I am going to have to source new downlighter that have a totally depth of 5cm to give enough clearance...shame! But fortunatley, I didn't order enough for upstairs, so they will be used up there.
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| East Front |
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| West Side |
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| West Side 2 |
Saturday 11th February 2023 - Roof Moss
Did some garden tidy up, but importantly managed to removed the majority of the moss growth from the rear roof of La Studio and sprayed all the roof, front and back with 5L of Fungicidal Wash to kill off the growth and will do so annually now, although pruning of the Walnut Tree should keep it in control in the future.
So, that is the end of this visit and will be back in March for 3 weeks and the main tasks will be to:
- Complete the Jointing.
- Render the Apex West and East Walls
- Complete Lighting and Socket Installation & Wire up Fuse Box
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| Downlights |
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