Two reasons. One, it's ugly. Two, it's not very useful because the roof is leaky and it's a tad unsteady. Ok, three reasons ... the insurance company doesn't want it there anymore. Apparently part of our coverage would go toward detached structures ... an amount greater than this shack is worth, thus, they don't want to end up paying 5x what it was worth if a tornado hits it ... or we bump into it with a lawnmower and knock it over. So, they want it down within 45 days (i think we have 40 left). This will have to be a weekend project as i doubt the neighbors will like us out there banging around at night. I applied for a demolition permit yesterday and got a call today that it had been approved. I'll pick that up tomorrow or Friday. I plan to piece it apart to save most of the old lumber. There are some nice pieces left that could be useful for future projects (some nice timber beams/columns and wide planks from the roof). Short term ... after it is gone, we'll park on the old slab. Long term, we want to build a new 2-car garage with room at one end for a nice workshop area (we'll call it Chris' room). I'll try to get some better pictures posted to Flickr soon, including some interior shots.
Here it is, the much anticipated Project #1: refinishing the hardwood floors. The house started it's life with hardwoods throughout (except maybe kitchen and bath, haven't been able to check those because of current linoleum). At some point, the unfortunate decision was made to paint all the hardwoods white ... and later to carpet over the white hardwoods (laminate floor in the sunroom). We're hoping there wasn't a major reason for doing so (e.g. pet stains) ... we'd like to get back to the original hardwood. Whatever it takes, we'd like to do it now because we don't need to move until the end of the year ... so we should do as many messy/smelly repairs now before we have to live in our repairs 24/7.
We began pulling up the carpet in the dining and living room Monday night. I've posted some "before" shots on Flickr. With the carpet and pad gone, we were left with lots and lots of staples and stupid annoying tack strips. So, we began the tedious process of removing all those little buggers. A few blisters and sore knees later, we finished the dining room and about half of the living room by Tuesday night. Here is the dining room underway on Monday night:
Uncovering the floor brings us closer to needing to make a decision I've been pondering for a few weeks: how to refinish the floors? Do we use paint stripper to get the paint off, or sand the entire floors down? Neither option is necessarily cheap or easy. The original plan was that I would figure out how to use a big drum sander and do it myself - something i've wanted to learn how to do anyway. After further research and the discovery that the first floor hardwood is only 3/8" thick (upstairs is 5/8" - 3/4") makes me wonder if that's the best idea. An amateur working on thin hardwood can create a mess. So, my current thought is to hire a pro to do the first floor (sanding that is, we would finish it). They have better equipment (heavier - which is key) and the experience to work on a thin hardwood. Then i will maybe tackle the upstairs on my own where there is a little more room for error (i.e. more wood). I am meeting with a contractor (recommended by a client) on Weds. morning to see what he thinks and get a quote for some of the work. Hopefully that meeting will result in some good direction on how to proceed. A further wrinkle was added today when i spoke with another contractor to possibly get a second quote. He's not sure he believes me that it's 3/8" tongue and groove from 1915. He didn't think they made T&G back then. So maybe it's not the original hardwood?? How's that for a dramatic plot twist ... isn't this more exciting than Desperate Housewives?
Most of the paint comes off really easy ... so we are able to catch a glimpse of what used to be ... and hopefully what is to come:
Well, there it is, Project #1 is underway. We'll keep you posted of our progress/new developments.
Well, we made our first big Lowe's run last night. I (Chris) am pretty pumped about our first "big" purchase ... a ladder. now isn't that exciting? its a sweet Werner multifunction ladder ... sort of a Swiss Army ladder (i especially like the toothpick). goes from a 5' stepladder, to a 9' stepladder, to an 18' straight ladder, to two stepladders you can use as a scaffold stand ... and everything in between. i did have a run in with a similar ladder (smaller, different brand) in which i believe i broke my pinky toe ... however, i hold no grudges. ladders, reason #496 why i wish we had a truck.
we also got a couple big trash cans and are eyeing a shop vac ... i know, the excitement never ceases.
we began work on Project #1 which i hope to brief you on tomorrow. we continued work on this project for a few hours tonight. first steps have been taken on Projects 2, 3 and 4 ... also coming soon. here's a sneak peak of things to come ... (some of these don't look quite right though)
Ok, so maybe you do have questions. Why a blog about our house? Well, we're feeling pretty behind the times since we haven't blogged anything before. Not that there's anything wrong with blogging ... we just didn't know what to blog about. So then, on September 23, 2005, we signed a bunch of papers and they gave us this key. Turns out, it goes to this house in Noblesville! Wow, fancy that. The house needs some work to make it all purdy like, so we thought it'd be fun to track the progress via a blog. That way all of you anxious home viewers can catch the play by play, live, as it happens. Well, by "as it happens" I mean whenever we have the time and/or energy and/or interest in updating this thing. You'll wait with baited breath, not able to sleep until you see the final results (hopefully good results) of such exciting projects as: refinishing hardwood floors, painting, building a garage, more painting ... and many many more (as time, energy, and money permits).
So anyway, here are some of the basics about the place:
- built in 1915 - 3 BR, 2 BA - 1440 SF (not incl. basement) - built in the traditional "foursquare" style - situated in "Old Town" Noblesville, just a short walk to the downtown courthouse square (and several nice restaurants, coffee shops, antique stores, etc.)
So, that's how this begins I guess. Stay tuned for the first project, starting soon!
Well, we're off to Lowe's to begin browsing their fine assortment of home stuff. Mmm ... I love the smell of tools and building materials on a cool fall evening.
Oh, and if you ever see a project you are dying to jump in and help with ... feel free ... we are now hiring volunteers in all departments.
