Helpful hints for building coops

[jvls1942]

good morning,
I have been crazy busy on the computer this morning.
working with a lady from Illinois who wants to come Sunday morning for a puppy.
now I have to go for labs at the VA.
later on I will set up the forms for a
4 ft x 7 ft concrete pour.
I would like to get it poured yet today, too.
repair guy for the washing machine just called. says he can come earlier than scheduled .. OK by me..

.......jiminwisc......

 

[CapricornFarm]

She must have gone troppo working out in the sun every day.

Just kidding, though i don't mind it. I used to use a fair amount of silicone sealing fish tanks. Had a lot of fish.

 

[jvls1942]

repair guy was here and gone.
didn't have the part he needed.
probably will have it around the 5th of Sept.
long time to go without a washing machine with 5 adults in the house.
was to the VA and home again.
I hate to rain on your parade, but a skylight needs a mechanical seal. all the caulk in the world will not hold the water out. it will for awhile, but sooner or later it will fail.

Or, you might be able to flash it like a chimney if you have common asphalt shingles.
maybe add a "cricket" just above it .
good luck.

I am going out to set up another pour.

.........jiminwisc......

 

[CapricornFarm]

I have been out helping husband caulk the house. So far 3 tubes applied.
Took a break to get checked by the doctor. Sinus infection did not respond to antibiotics. So now i get a different one and nasal spray. Hope the pharmacy gets it ready soon. I want to work on the coop for a while.

 

[aart]

So far 3 tubes applied.
Took a break to get checked by the doctor. Sinus infection did not respond to antibiotics.

Wonder if sinus irritation is from breathing caulking fumes?

 

[CapricornFarm]

Wonder if sinus irritation is from breathing caulking fumes?

Nope, have been having chronic infections in my sinuses and ears for about 2 years. I was caulking outside so fumes were minimal.

 

[User395221]

Just kidding, though i don't mind it. I used to use a fair amount of silicone sealing fish tanks. Had a lot of fish.

I'm no good at it, because I've done so little. I saw at Aldi (do you have that over there?) an electric caulking gun. I only have a manual one and it can require a bit of effort to push the stuff out, an electric one would be great for big caulking jobs.

 

[jvls1942]

when I worked at a window factory , they had 55 gal drums of caulk with pneumatic guns.
and some of the workers still couldn't put the caulk where it was supposed to go.

that's where I learned that you could put silicone caulk on a cut as if it was a bandage. it works .

........jiminwisc.......

 

[CapricornFarm]

My coop divider is about half done. The three pieces of plywood are cut and painted. I will need two or three more cross pieces, i have wood already painted for that. I have some more wire to put on, and a latch. The door for the divider is hung , just a small piece of plywood to put on it. I also cut and nailed on the rest of the trim boards on the floor. So after i am done all that, it will be time to build nest boxes and possibly feeders. I have husband keeping an eye out for branches that will make good perches. Soon it will be time to assemble the dog runs and make a wire top. I planned to make solid tops on the runs, but got vetoed. Maybe next year.
The garden got weeded some and those went to the guineas, rabbits, and three chickens. I wired some garden fence wire over the gate, which is made of a cattle panel. I suspect that is where the ground hog is getting in.
There are three more tubes of caulk left for the house, so i should be able to finish both easy sides of the house with that much. The other two sides of the house are much taller because of the cathedral ceiling and loft. I don't know how we will caulk over top of the front porch, the roof is metal and very steep. Maybe a cherry picker would work! Husband just ordered more caulk.
He has been stipping bark off the cedar slabs i am applying to the outside of the coop. It is going to be interesting. At least i won't have to caulk it!

 

[CapricornFarm]

I'm no good at it, because I've done so little. I saw at Aldi (do you have that over there?) an electric caulking gun. I only have a manual one and it can require a bit of effort to push the stuff out, an electric one would be great for big caulking jobs.

I don't use caulk guns much normally. So electric would be overkill. Yes, i FL they have Aldi but i have not seen one in VA yet.