Sunday, October 17, 2010

Exhaust Fan Install


Exhaust fan - all ducted up and wired. Ready for action. Bring it, stink!



About an hour job, but another line item crossed out, the exhaust fan is done! It only took one exhaust fan, two feet of duct, and a $25 back flow flap mounted on the outside as seen below. Sawzalling through that blocking, plywood and 3/4” siding was the most difficult part. That reciprocating saw is my most appreciated tool in the box.



Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Window Install



Here I am nailing in the studs for the new window to attach to.



I rushed home after work and started this endeavor at 5:30, know

ing that I had little time before darkness fell upon us. Fortunately, the previous window was held in only by the molding from the outside so little time was needed on that. Overall it went well. Adjusting the window placement from the outside wa

s a challenge because I built the frame too tight. It eventually straightened out though after a few expletives. How many expletives does it take to straighten a newly installed win

dow o

ut?


The original window is on the left. When I was working to get it out, I twisted it unknowingly and the glass just exploded right in my ear. No blood though. I was lucky.




Window removed. It reminds me of a missing tooth.





New frame built for window to attach to that I was particularly proud of. The old windows were literally attached to the exterior trim molding.




Ta-da!

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Electrical Rough-In


Okay, if you survived that last post on the plumbing, may you be rewarded with a post on......

roughing in the electrical!




As I write this, I’m waiting to get an electrician in to kind of give me the go-ahead, pat on the back, whatever to make sure I know what I’m doing. It’s possible all these picture may be for nothing in case things change.

Saturday, October 02, 2010

Plumbing Rough-In



Plumbing. What can I say? So important, but pretty boring to blog about.


For this part of the remodel, I hired out. If anyone needs a sharp, young, energetic, inexpensive, down to earth plumber - let me know. I got just the guy for you.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

A New Bath Wall

A view from the bathroom into the kitchen sans wall.



In order to relocate the bathroom door opening, I pretty much had to remove the entire wall structure. Before doing this, I built a temp wall for support just a few feet away, directly over a beam in the basement.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Framing


The base plates installed and ready for some stud.



This is my first framing attempt ever. It seems so simple in concept but when it comes to actually getting things level and straight with right angles and such, it’s pretty damn hard, not to mention time consuming. Oh, and then there’s the whole thing about using studs that don’t bow out! Whoa! How’d I get in THIS mess!


Monday, September 27, 2010

More Wainscoting


More potential beadboard wainscoting uncovered on the ceiling as the nook is demolitionized.



From my previous post, I mentioned that I realized some wainscoting that I uncovered from the kitchen and bath demolition could possibly be used in the bathroom remodel but I wasn’t sure if I’d have enough. After ripping out the first layer from the bedroom ceiling, it looks like a hit a bit of a gold mine. I think there might be plenty.


Or will there be.....?


Stay Tuned!



Sunday, September 26, 2010

Basement Reinforcement


The floor taken up to get access to the joists so we can double them up to minimize deflection.




Since a clawfoot tub will eventually be installed, I thought it’d be best to strengthen up the floor joists. After meeting with a structural engineer on another subject, it wasn’t that this was needed to keep the tub from crashing through to the basement, but more to minimize deflection to avoid puddling of water at certain areas. Since I had little to no access due to wiring and plumbing from below, I had to cut out from above to make this joist doubling happen.


Of course, when you remove the floor, you’re only asking for trouble.







Thursday, September 23, 2010

Breakfast Nook Idea - "The Gary Cove"


Another shot from the kitchen into the bath and part of the bedroom that we’ll steal from to add a little breakfast nook.


Gary had a brilliant idea after I mentioned that I was going to miss the daylight from the bathroom window that would light up the kitchen in the afternoon. It was to steal half of the bedroom space that included a window, and turn it into a nook with a place to sit to eat At first I dismissed the idea, but after some thought, I realized this would solve a few other issues that I had been struggling with through the design, namely the problem of where to sit. Of course, the bedroom becomes smaller but instead of a long, narrow and awkward room, it’s just a little more cozier. Yeah, that's the ticket!



Sunday, September 19, 2010

Out With The Walls

Looking from the kitchen INTO the bathroom, because there are simply no more walls.


The walls consisted of 1/2” sheetrock, 3/4” wood panelling, 1/4” thin crap wall, bunch of old wallpaper, and some wainscoting (but, enough for me to use in the bathroom?? - stay tuned!). It took a little more energy to remove than originally anticipated.





Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Beadboard Wainscoting





As we demolished the bathroom and part of the kitchen, there were patches of 3/4” thick beadboard wainscoting that seemed to pop up now and again. Then it dawned on me as I uncovered more - this could be re-used in the bathroom as the wainscoting! But would I have enough?


I guess time will tell as more demolishment continues....





Thursday, September 09, 2010

Support Post Discovery



When I did the attic remodel/dormer addition back in 2003, all sorts of special attention and expense was provided to satisfy the city’s needs to meet code. To support the ridge beam, two posts were specially located, as well as basement floor reinforcement, etc. As it turns out, all that design work and “inspection” didn’t quite pay off as I discovered this post notched out past the mid-point, rendering it more like a 2x4.



I later replaced this with a nice notchless 4x6.




Wednesday, September 08, 2010

No Turning Back Now


Continuation of the demolition of the bathroom shows some lovely hues of blue that would even embarrass a Robin.






The tear out of the bathroom is starting to get some more momentum. I could get used to this. Then again, I could get really sick of it.






Friday, September 03, 2010

I've Gone Mac

Hello all...my blog has moved to www.1900farmhouse.com

Blogger's been great but I'm in need of a little more organization when it comes to past projects, so I'm giving a stab at iWeb.

Come over and check out the new site!

And So It Begins...


I have began official demolition on the kitchen and bath. Not just partial removal to find any hidden roadblocks or cash, but full on gutting. Like a trout. Not too much to see at this point. I have only removed the toilet, sink and half of the first layer of the linoleum and particle board. Fortunately the first level of flooring only 1/4 inch thick so it pops right up. Let’s see how easy the next level is.


Below are some snapshots of previous gutting to expose the plumbing to see what options I have.

I have began official demolition on the kitchen and bath. Not just partial removal to find any hidden roadblocks or cash, but full on gutting. Like a trout. Not too much to see at this point. I have only removed the toilet, sink and half of the first layer of the linoleum and particle board. Fortunately the first level of flooring only 1/4 inch thick so it pops right up. Let’s see how easy the next level is.


Below are some snapshots of previous gutting to expose the plumbing to see what options I have.


Or don’t have.








Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Firewood Manger

Holy Smokes! I can't believe it's been nearly a year since I've touched this blog. I'm surprised I remembered my password to access it. It's not that I've been lazy. Really. Just nothing blog-worthy. However, with the cool rain quickly approaching, I got busy with a little project of building a roof to keep my firewood dry. I also like the cedar shake look - like a cabin in the woods.



Here's the shelter in progressive assembly. It took about four hours and weighed a ton. I don't expect my fence to hold more than a month.