2. Doll house could not be saved.
Termites had taken over the dollhouse. It was demolished and the ground
treated to prevent them from attacking the new handy barn pictured here.
Not a kit it was built from scratch. It is 25 feet closer to the house than the
doll house was.
3. A Close-up view
The tractor and mower are actually being stored at my office for the
winter.
4. New Steps
The first thought was to pour new steps. Purchasing pre-cast was half the
cost. And of course railings are extra.
5. Different View
The house number is attached to the back of a license plate and hanging
on a wire coat hanger will be replaced in due time. I plan on sending the
plate down to dad to hang on a wall.
6. Last “step” picture
Because the stone was not a smooth surface to butt up to we poured a
concrete wall for the steps so there should not be water seeping into the
foundation.
7. Living room fireplace remodel
This was done after dad returned last April. First thought was to just clean and
paint it. It did not clean well and the result was plan “B”. A frame was built
around the existing fireplace and drywall and paint to match the rest of the
room.
10. Basement demo has begun
I finally remembered to take a camera about a week into the basement demo.
Just like the first floor this is a full remove and replace. The stone foundation
wall were actually in good shape. This view is towards the south west wall .
(front of the house under the master bedroom)
11. West wall view
With the wall removed the small side windows were exposed. Decided to
remove them instead of having custom sized windows built. Some duct work
repair was needed due to a water leak in the bathroom that rusted out the
metal.
12. Looking towards the furnace room
The two pipes hanging down were from the fuel oil tank that was hidden
behind the paneling. The tank was 250 gallons and still contained a mixture of
several gallons of oil and water. It was a beast of a job to get out. You can see
an oval outline on the wall where it stood.
13. A view east
Several decisions were made from this picture. The counter has been
removed. The entrance door by the steps was removed. The brick bar
was removed as was the closet and shelves.
14. The fireplace room
Interesting mural on the wall. And yes its not an optical illusion, the wall
was slanted. On purpose no less. While the stone looked ok everything
around it has to go.
15. The mural take 2
Ceiling is a bit rough looking. Some of the heat vents hang low. That’s
why the ceiling height was so low. We raised it the best we could.
17. Notice the framing mess
All of the wall framing was done using scrap lumber. 26 inches apart. We
reframed it all.
18. The bar
The bar was kind of cool. I looked to see if the base was solid and it was
ok. The brick was ok. But it just didn’t add anything to the room and
made it seem much smaller. It didn’t make the cut.
19. The electrical ….
The panel was newer. Everything else in the basement was marginal to
dangerous just because of the age. The electrical in the basement has been
gutted. All new lights, switches, outlets and even a new 2nd breaker panel in
the furnace room to handle some of the load.
20. The Entrance Door
This door is only 67 inches tall. It is however taller than the other one that was 62
inches tall. Again the current door was a standard door like the one on the porch that
had the bottom sawed off. The only available replacement was a flush door custom
made to size. Its how a 100.00 door ends up costing 375.00.
21. The Windows
The windows are being replace by 2 sliders similar to the ones by the
front door. Same Pella replacement windows as on the first floor.
23. The remodel is underway
Well as you might expect there was no insulation found in any of the
exterior walls. The new walls have a plastic vapor barrier which should
help keep moisture out.
24. Furnace room
This view is showing the furnace room from the back of the furnace. The
door is on the right.
25. Framing in closet
Creating a large closet in about the same place that the fuel tank was located.
The water meter and water shutoff are in this closet. It will have bi-fold doors
added. The stone wall has been painted using “DryLock” water proof paint.
26. Lights
We are using recessed “can” lights in the basement. There will be 14
lights controlled by multiple switches per code. There will also be an
outside light by the new entrance door.
27. Walls going up
The wall studs were up and the electrician was finishing up the phase
one wiring. He will be back once the drywall is up to install the switches
and outlets.
28. The old furnace
All was well. The furnace installed by Montgomery Wards while old was functional. At
least until it failed to start. The pilot went out and was re-lit. It went out 2 more times
and I called a repair guy. The furnace was failing and the heat exchanger was showing
signs of rust out. By code it should be red tagged. (condemned - replaced)
29. New windows are in
The windows were installed in the fireplace room.
30. Still looking like a work in progress…
Walls are all now insulated. All of the tile is off the floor. We are almost
ready for some drywall.
31. Drywall here we go
The fireplace room is the first to get dry walled. The fireplace will be
done much like the one upstairs. However this one will have a recessed
mantle.
32. Fireplace room
This drywall encloses the back side of the stairway. To the right is a very
narrow closet. There is also another closet on the other side of the room
entrance.
33. Narrow closet
This is where the removed door used to be. Seemed a better use of the
space instead of just blocking it off. Suite case storage etc.
34. Drywall going up main room
The heat ducts really make dry walling a ceiling tricky.
35. New windows main room
The plan is to reuse the storage space under the window.
36. The old entrance door
Blocked off the old door has been removed Plywood was used on the outside
to encase the old entrance. Every attempt has been made to raise the
headroom coming down the steps. It is still tight but we were able to get 6
inches more headroom as you come down the stairs.
37. New furnace
The decision was to replace the furnace. The new furnace is an 85 % efficient model. It is much smaller
than the old furnace which I was told was too big for the house to begin with. Required installing a
pipe in the chimney for exhaust. Total cost parts and labor $1,100.00. Setup for central air if the next
owner wants it. Other quote was 2,800.00. Much smaller exhaust pipe so less going up the chimney.
Water heater was replaced when the house was re-plumbed.
40. Door is installed
My preference would have been a window in the door but it was not an
option. It is tight and it does have a deadbolt so it’s a vast improvement to the
one that was there. Just don’t forget to duck. The concrete was removed and
new concrete poured for the threshold.
41. Looking better
The drywall is now at the tape and mud stage. Boxing in the posts was a
lot of work. They will look good when they are finished. 25 gallons of
mud to get the first coat on the walls.
42. Looking towards the furnace room
You can see that to the right of the first post is the new laundry area. This
area will have all the necessary hookups for a washer, dryer and laundry
tub.
44. Another look
Code now calls for wired smoke alarms with battery backup. Putting
them in the basement and will add them upstairs if it becomes an issue
when its time to sell.
48. Last look for now
The paint scheme for the basement will again be neutral. The rooms will
be carpeted.
49. That’s it for now
• Still to come….
• Trim, paint and carpet in the downstairs. I
hate to call it a basement when its finished.
• Soffit and fascia on outside.
• Repair or replace windows on porch. They are
leaking on the new drywall.
• A bit of landscaping on the grounds.
• The end is in sight…… Let’s hope
