Buster Reno Thread - Part DEUX

[dirtsniffer]

Oi

[Buster]

humpty dumpty starting to get put back in.

Full drainage system installed subgrade, including an exterior sump pump to keep the lawn and new patio dry and stable.

Grade beam on screw piles to upgrade structure under kitchen installed

12 other screw piles installed to support new deck (next year project probably). Screw piles are really cool.

Backfill ....uh...backfilled.

Now to remove the fencing and tear apart the backyard to install all of the new landscaping.

[Paul]

Expanding of outdoor living space is such a good idea - even in Calgary.
Should look into building yourself your own private island. I remember back when McKenzie was being established Alfred Balm tried buying the island for his personal residence only. Community shut that idea down pretty quick so he knocked down 3 houses in Pump Hill instead. / hijack

[Buster]

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Expanding of outdoor living space is such a good idea - even in Calgary.
Should look into building yourself your own private island. I remember back when McKenzie was being established Alfred Balm tried buying the island for his personal residence only. Community shut that idea down pretty quick so he knocked down 3 houses in Pump Hill instead. / hijack

that's a cool story actually.

I'm upgrading a lot of my gas infrastructure to install heavy duty or commercial wall mount IR heaters around the space, and under it on the patio area.

Also running a 3/4 line to a new firepit area by the water - big BTUs baby!

[suntan]

I like big butts and I can not lie.

[ExtraSlow]

I approve of burning more methane.

[jwslam]

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I approve of burning more methane.

Is it still most cost effective to produce methane from Costco packs of canned beans?
Or should I just fork money to Enmax?

[ExtraSlow]

Don't choose, do both. That's a power (literally) move.

[Buster]

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Expanding of outdoor living space is such a good idea - even in Calgary.
Should look into building yourself your own private island. I remember back when McKenzie was being established Alfred Balm tried buying the island for his personal residence only. Community shut that idea down pretty quick so he knocked down 3 houses in Pump Hill instead. / hijack

Before and after view of what the deck area will look like. The back part is being turned into an outdoor kitchen/smoking/bbqing area.

[cet]

That looks like it'll be a great space

[Paul]

That makes perfect sense what you’re doing - can’t wait to see the fire pit area too.

My house is built on the dirt mound that used to be the lake after they excavated, so my property isn’t flat and I’m having a time designing any meaningful outdoor living space. Likely need to call in a professional like Visionscapes or something.

Keep the pics coming - it’s inspiring me to do shit

[bjstare]

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Expanding of outdoor living space is such a good idea - even in Calgary.
Should look into building yourself your own private island. I remember back when McKenzie was being established Alfred Balm tried buying the island for his personal residence only. Community shut that idea down pretty quick so he knocked down 3 houses in Pump Hill instead. / hijack

Lived in Calgary my whole life and haven't heard this story. Imagine if he was successful, that would be unbelievable. Certainly better than the monstrosity he built in Pump Hill.

[Masked Bandit]

I must be getting old because this is cool AF! It also further supports a long held belief that boys never grow up, they just learn how to act in public. I see a machine for playing in the dirt and my first thoughts are "that lucky SOB!".

[suntan]

So where'd you get the fire pit from?

[cet]

I was landscaping my yard last year and rented a couple of machines. One was a big chainsaw for the dirt to dig a trench and the other was one of those bobcat like things you stand behind... So.Much.Fun. even if I did throw myself off the bobcat one a few times.

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I must be getting old because this is cool AF! It also further supports a long held belief that boys never grow up, they just learn how to act in public. I see a machine for playing in the dirt and my first thoughts are "that lucky SOB!".

[Buster]

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I must be getting old because this is cool AF! It also further supports a long held belief that boys never grow up, they just learn how to act in public. I see a machine for playing in the dirt and my first thoughts are "that lucky SOB!".

Lol, I'm not doing any of the work myself

[sabad66]

Will you need to bring the outdoor sump pump inside during the winter to prevent freezing/damage? I have to do that with mine… put it out every May long and bring it back inside after labour day. Minor annoyance but worth it to have the system in place and prevent my back yard being a wetland.

[Buster]

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So where'd you get the fire pit from?

Firepit is this one:

https://www.barkmanconcrete.com/prod...dere-fire-pit/



I'll put something like this (or this one) into the firepit. The plumbers are running a 3/4" line from the corner of the house to the firepit area, so I won't be limited on BTUs.

https://montanafirepits.com/product/...-15-75-burner/

An ornamental welder friend of mine is then building me some "steel logs" to get the radiant heat going. Apparently they are the best for this, and I like the look.

https://montanafirepits.com/product/...-pit-log-sets/

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That makes perfect sense what you’re doing - can’t wait to see the fire pit area too.

My house is built on the dirt mound that used to be the lake after they excavated, so my property isn’t flat and I’m having a time designing any meaningful outdoor living space. Likely need to call in a professional like Visionscapes or something.

Keep the pics coming - it’s inspiring me to do shit

Remind me where you live again?

This is an older design, but you get a general idea of where the firepit area will go next to the lake.

I want the upper deck to be an indoor/outdoor living space with a place to eat nice dinners. The lower paver patio area (ground level) will be more of the lake living area. A couple of high bar tables for people to eat if they are doing lake things, and a walk up bar area for making drinks and such on.

[ExtraSlow]

Good call on the steel. Yes that will help a ton with the radiant heat, otherwise the stone stays cold, and the heat just goes upwards and it becomes a light source only.

[dirtsniffer]

180,000 btu? yea, that'll do.