Finally!
That’s a negative test result, meaning I am finally over this disease.
Well, in theory.
My nose is still running and I have an occasional cough. Maybe that is something else — allergies? — or maybe not, but the test didn’t find any sign of Covid virus. That said, these simple at home tests are infamous for their false negative readings, meaning that you might get a negative result but actually have the disease.
In this case, however, I am not too worried about that. This is the fourth time I have tested, and it was very clear with the first two tests that I was really sick. The positive test indicator line showed up immediately and was very dark, practically leaping off the table. In the third test, the indicator line still darkened immediately, but it clearly wasn’t as dark as the first two times, so the amount of virus present was dropping.
And now — four days later — it doesn’t show at all, so I am going to assume this kit is working with my particular biology and this particular virus variant.
Yay!
The past week has been fairly low key, but I have taken a couple of walks, met a friend (outdoors), and generally been pretty lazy. The next issue of the monthly email is coming up and I’ve been trying to stay ahead of it, which is good. There has also been some work on the community website. All in all, it was a reasonable week for a Covid sufferer.
Next, I need to answer something that came up last week, where I mentioned that we are going to add spray foam insulation to the ceiling. Apparently my description of the issue was inadequate.
So, here’s the situation. The existing roof/ceiling consists of the following layers (from top to bottom):
- roofing material — this protects the membrane
- torch on waterproof membrane
- a fibrous, plastic support layer that sits between the membrane and the wood (imagine a scrubby pad on steroids)
- tongue & groove wood, 1.25" thick (5/4 in the lingo) wood
- sheet plastic vapor barrier
- drywall
All of the above rests on beams, which are also wrapped in sheetrock.
So, where can we put insulation in this case? Rest assured there are challenges — and I am no expert! — but things that must be considered include:
- the location of any additional vapour barrier — you don’t want to trap water in a place where it cannot get out, as that will cause mold and rot
- the ability of air to move — some kinds of insulation would require venting
- cost — for example, if we add an insulation layer to the top we encounter a much larger cost thanks to needing a whole new roof over that, not to mention interactions with skylights and one exterior wall
The result is the plan we have. It seems we’re going to frame in 2x6" lumber between the beams. That framing will be done at the right sizes to make hanging new sheetrock on it simple. Then the insulation guys will fill that entire area with spray foam — which will bring it up to current insulation code requirements — and then we cover it with new sheetrock and tape it up like normal.
Spray foam is both an air and moisture barrier, so there is no need to vent it, and water can’t get through it. As a result, it’s the easiest and cheapest way to get this done. It will lower the ceiling about 6", but we have room, and we may also be able to run wiring in the insulation if needed.
This is all subject to the final approval of the insulation contractor, and that won’t happen for some time, but it seems like this is the plan.
In the end the house will be warmer in the winter, easier to heat, and cooler in the summer even without A/C. It should be a big win.
I promise to take plenty of pictures when we finally get around to doing this.
We still haven’t gone to the District with the plans. Not sure where that stands, but we are still waiting for the OK from the engineer and the architect. Soon, I hope.
And with that, I will sign off. I need to walk the dog — and myself — and keep after other Friday chores. Cheers!