As I sit here watching the steady snowfall outside the window of our short-term rental in Sparks, I am excited that we have journeyed from casual conversations about architectural design, to being able to move into our new home in St James Village in South Reno. People say building a home is one of the most stressful things a couple can do. It is stressful, but when two people want and work for the same goal, they can become a team that solves problems and celebrates victories together. We are very close to being ready for the final inspection. My husband and I are owner-builders, and whether a licensed contractor or an owner-builder for a residential home – you are subject to the same codes and inspections. We have one more ‘test’ to pass before the final.
The one test remaining before we can call for the final is the blower-door test.
The blower-door test determines how much air is entering or escaping the home. The ‘blower door’ consists of a frame and flexible panel that fits in a doorway. The panel includes a variable-speed fan and a digital pressure gauge to measure the pressure differences inside and outside the home. These are connected to a device for measuring airflow, called a manometer. A tight home will be a warmer home in the winter, a cooler home in the summer, and generate lower utility bills.
This data allows us to quantify the amount of air leakage and whether the home meets the requirements, in our case, of Washoe County certification. POI – Building Codes and requirements can change overnight – make sure you and your contractors are aware of changes.
The blower door test can be done from the garage door into the home – rain or snow. Unlike the past two winters, we are now working primarily on the inside of a heated home!
States and, County and City Building Departments have different criteria for what needs to be done to pass a final inspection that allows occupancy. Click here for a copy of the Washoe County, Nevada Certificate of Occupancy building department document.
Building in snow country is very challenging. The building season is relatively short. The payoff is worth it in so many ways including the beautiful views and scenery, the abundant wildlife, and the perpetual serenity. Nature is on display every day and it is so good for the soul.
Once we got our building permit we were off and running.
After the permit was issued, the vegetation clearing and earth moving began. We had a colossal rock on the south east edge of the homesite. This rock was as big as a one-ton dually with crew cab and a long bed. Busting it up into manageable, moveable pieces was quite a feat. Now the large part that remained in place serves as a foundation for part of our rockery wall along the driveway. How did we bust up that rock? That is a story to come.
Over the course of our building process, snow impeded our progress but did not stop the forward motion of work, with the exception of being able to pour the concrete foundation. We had it mostly dug out in late fall, but once the snow fell and the ground became saturated it needed to dry before the forms could be built and the concrete poured.
Once the house was dried in – framing, sheeting, windows and doors – we were able to continue working inside throughout the winter, primarily plumbing and electrical. It was bitterly cold with temperatures in the low teens. We used a lot of the disposable handwarmers and a couple of portable heaters to keep our hands thawed.
I hope you enjoy the winter scape video and the beauty of the east side of the Sierra Nevada.