Toilet dreams

OK, this may sound funny to anyone who is not familiar with Kelleys Island living and the process of building a cottage from vacant land, but yes, we were able to FINALLY get a working toilet installed sometime around noon on Saturday, April 6th! To the cottage building process, this is as important as the invention of the wheel for advancement of humankind.

Everyone (including myself) takes for granted that working toilets are always available everywhere. Let me just mention all of the dependencies to make a toilet flush on Kelleys Island...

1. Water - enormous (1800 gallon) concrete water tank - manually filled via truck
2. Pump - well pump with proper plumbing from water tank
3. Plumbing - supply lines to (3/4") and from (1/2") PEX manifold and drains (PVC) installed
4. Toilet - easy peasy
5. Septic tank - drain lines tied into septic tank  

All of the above have to be "leak-free" with multiple connection points that make me crazy. Anyway, we are good-to-go so far as the toilet goes.

Uncle Al was able to join me for the weekend and he brought his dog "Maddie", the newest member of the crew, on her maiden voyage to the island. Maddie was a good girl and hung around the construction site, in-and-out, of the cottage all weekend.

Maddie, the "Island Dog"

 

We were able to make great progress on the tankless water heater intall. Next working weekend the plan is to actually have hot water!

 

Uncle Al working on the electric for the tankless water heater

The "eco smart" tankless water heater mounted and all wired up!

I got rolling on the water tank beautification project by hanging vertical decking around the perimeter of the concrete structure. Others have used different techniques. However, I thought the finished look of the decking made a nice clean impact on something that you can't hide smack in your front yard!

Friday, just getting started

Almost done, view from the street

 

All done, view from the house, notice the custom/crafty access ladder 

 

Big Al brought out the Big Ladder and mounted the electrical box for the outdoor spotlights. Can't wait to be able to light-up the yard at night.

 

 Al working on the spotlights