Home Improvement Today?

You don't run services within 1 1/2" of the exterior of the framing

 

Master bath remodel. This is the shower stall and you can see the corner has a narrow gap between the studs and an open space beyond. The other corner has an even narrower gap. I had hoped I could fill the cavities with max expansion spray foam from cans, however that isn't working. I think fiberglass isn't an option to get in there, so I was thinking of the blown in cellulose type. I can drill a hole in the top, tape up the seam then pour it in. A bale of that stuff is cheap - about $12.

They do sell DIY spray foam kits, however the ones I've seen are expensive, poorly reviewed and are either not enough coverage or way too much (sq ft coverage).

Any better ideas?

 

I'd use cans and move on.

 

Alright I could use some advice if anyone has dealt with something similar before. I have a "drainage ditch" in the backyard. It actually runs across all the neighbors properties. When i bought my house I had thought it was part of a creek but recent searching at work has me believing otherwise. Sort of a weird thing though as county maps show the portion on my immediate "right side" neighbor as being stormdrain. His "portion" is covered over. To the left side it stays as drainage creek for probably 600-700 feet then is shown as a creek on county maps. So basically the portion on my property doesnt show as really even being there on county maps.

First thing is to check with the county. Which I plan to do. As i mentioned just seeing if other had opinions/options to recommend.

But here is what Im dealing with. This is the fullest it has been and was right after a ton of snow melt off and heavy rain. Dont mind the fallen tree (saturated soil and wind dont mix!) or the trash (not a clue where it came from). There is water in it pretty constantly in the late fall/winter/and then mid spring it starts drying out.



Like i said Im not even sure where or what would work. Large drainage pipe? Pump of some sort?

Main reason after 6 years of living here that Im thinking of doing something with it is to enlarge the yard a bit. Then fence it in for the dog to have a play area. Right now I would basically have to use a lot more material and also cut a decent chunk of potential yard out. If the ditch could be filled the fence could be built ~10 feet past the water and tie into the neighbors fence for more yard and less material

 

Good luck talking to the county. In King county they'd make you give up your entire back yard and fence 100' away from it with gold plated planks. And then you'd have to file a variance for the gold on the planks not leeching into Lake Michigan.

 

What ever you do, if any cat trail plants grow, get rid of them ASAP. The EQ will declare it wetlands. Then you will be truly fucked.

 

or skunk cabbage, or needlegrass, or western red cedars, or... just about anything that likes even semi-wet soil.

 

and that's what I'm saying... in King county, i'd bet my next paycheck they'd look at that as-is and declare it a full-on wetland. Sucks, but true. Hopefully Kitsap county isn't so insane.

 

Problem is it would take a dozen cans or more for each side, based off results so far. Not economically feasible. You can see the results from one can in the picture. I think the cellulose will work...

 

Thankfully I dont live in King County. The county guys that Ive talked to for other stuff have been pretty awesome and easy to work with. Plus no absurd rules. Thankfully for the time being its a different world compared to your side of the water over here.

Nothing really grows in it. The alder (i think thats the trees, having a brain fart) line it. But nothing else grows near it. Well the grass and moss will migrate towards it in the summer months. And weeds like it too lol

 

Drill some holes through the stud and use the cans

 

We always keep some XPS styrofoam on hand to fill any wall cavities that we won't be able to get at later


We framed the rake wall , sheeted the walls and cut and installed the main 2x12 rafters today

We'll frame the overhangs , strap and sheet the roof and start framing the main back wall tomorrow

 

Exterior wall?
I'd be careful using high expansion foam in there, could shove stuff around in a bad way.... but shouldn't be too much of a problem there unless it blows your exterior wall out lol
Can u open enuff at top to shove strips of foamboard down?
Loose fill cellulose could work there but be damn sure you dry it in with an impermeable membrane on the inside to hold bath moisture at bay.....also that will definitely settle and leave an airspace at the top

 

Very good. As a pole barn builder in King, I've seen and been through things that make me wonder why the f don't I move to Sno, Pierce, or Kitsap. Mass insanity to be found in any encounter with the county up here.

 

Also u might be surprised by what you can do with a piece of fiberglass,a coat hanger, and some foam to hold it in place lol

 

Blown in will just settle. Spray foam cans will do far better in the long run in that application.

 

Pierce has gotten just as bad from what Ive heard. Not sure up North but im sure its migrating. Sadly the overpriced market of Seattle has cause those people to move out and into the surrounding counties. Ive heard plenty of sillyness from everywhere on that side of the water. Theres sillyness over here too but doesnt seem nearly as bad.

If i were to go anywhere it would be either closer to the coast or other side of the mountains. But thats getting off topic for this thread (and for TW in general )

Just need to figure out who to talk to at the county. I only had time to stop by one place today and the lady had no clue who to go to. All she could tell me was try the stormwater guys, the planning guys, or the waterway guys. She was a sweet old lady though so I didnt say I already planned to talk to them

 

Go to the property records department and search your parcel. Keep back tracking several owners. Get the plat maps for your parcel. They should be marked with (or without) a drainage/easement/wetland/whatever if it's ever been given any designation.

 

You're on the right track. Usually it is easier with soil and water to do work when there is no standing water, hope for a spring drought. (With your neighbors permission and help remove any blockages near the culvert / drain when its dry, this will also help with mosquitoes.)