Here are some of the many things I learned while installing seven replacement windows this weekend:
- A 5-in-1 tool is indispensable for this type of job. Pry-bar, hammer, scraper, wasp annihilator, protector of soft surfaces when hammering close by, etc., etc.
- I hate to caulk.
- The wasps will still try to find their nest even though you sprayed the shutters a week ago and *took them down* three days before starting the windows.
- A big powerful fan keeps the dust and debris (and wasps) blowing out of the house.
- You have to turn the radio up real loud to hear it over a big powerful fan.
- Vinyl Siders will use anything and everything as spacers and shims as long as it will be hidden.
- You can almost go nuts trying to figuring out why the top of a window is level and the right side is plumb but the left side isn't. Then you find the tiny dollop of wood glue stuck to left side of the level.
- My house leans ever-so-slightly to the East.
- I hate to caulk
- There are least 432 shades of white. The white on white vinyl siding is not the same white as on white aluminum trim which is not the same white as on white replacement windows which is not the same white as in white caulk which is not the same white as in white exterior paint.
- If I don't wear a tool belt, I never put my tools in the same place twice.
- If I wear a tool belt, I *sometimes* put my tools in same place twice.
- Backer rod is essential when caulking deep crevices.
- I hate to caulk.
- SWMBO knows when I'm hungry before I do.
- There's a lot of crap behind aluminum trim, especially the soffit covers.
- The neighbors like to stop and chat when they see big holes in your house, but they never offer to help.
- Tongue depressors make great shims. I wish I had discovered that before the 4th window.
- Old caulk pops right off vinyl trim, sticks like epoxy to aluminum.
- If I'm on the second floor, all three tape measures will be in my basement shop.
- If I'm in my basement shop, all three tape measures will be on the second floor.
- I hate to caulk.
- Everything takes longer than I want it to or think it should.
4 more to go...I wonder what I'll learn next weekend.