Weather Boards 25/09/2012

Window holes had to be cut (in a x type so the building wrap could lay over the sill) and stappled back. Orange butterflies were stappled into the corners to keep them clean then Aliband was laid down. 300mm up the sides from the bottom (with the whole bottom covered) and the same with the top, with 600mm strips placed diagonaly over the corners. Aliband is a bitchum based strip, it purpose is to stop moisture getting in and roting the windows sills. A storey rod (markings on a long thin bit of timber with marks for where the weather boards are to go) was made and a team of guys went around and marked every half of the house. Holding the storey rod at the bottom plate of the building, knowing that they would all line up and be plumb. Then a team of 2 would come around and using a chalk line, holding it on oppisite marks, the chalk line was pinged giving us an indercation where the boards are to sit up against. Cavity closer (K-strip) was also nailed to the surrounding bottom bearer (50mm down from bottom plate) also made to stop moisture/rain coming up underneath the weather boards. Each sector of the house was measured and noted for where the weather boards would have to be cut. They were labeld ABC etc, and also written on the outside plans so there would be no confusion.

-The weather boards were then measured (longest first) cut then labeld
-The cut ends were then painted (to stop moisture seeping in)
-Stacked out side the part of the house they were for, sitting on pegs so they didnt get stone impressions on them
-With and air compressed nail gun, butting the weather board into the chalk line then nailing one corner
-From the corner, working our way along the board straighting and nailing (often putting the spirit level on top to double check)

One by one the boards were cut, painted and stacked waiting to be nailed on. We had a constent flow going all day. Extra little cuts had to be made for the winws/door ways. By the end of the day we had put up quite a few. Looking more like a house now.