Gut a house and refurbish

[Thelt]

Anyone ever do this? My parents have an old house that is falling apart. It would need a lot of work to be habitable. The upside is they will give it to me if I want it. I wonder though if it will cost more to fix it than it would to build new.

[VA49er]

I wonder though if it will cost more to fix it than it would to build new.

Run the numbers and see.

[magnus]

the obvious question: how much is "falling apart"? Do you like the style, location, etc? or are you simply looking for an investment?

[Thelt]

The house is located near my parent's house. They just built a new one and moved out of this old one about five years ago. The base part of the house is a log cabin that is roughly 150 years old. This part is still sound. The rest of the house has been built on in sections over the years and some of it is good and some of it might have to be replaced. I know if needs a new roof and part of the floor. I wonder if I could get a contractor to come in and give me a price on fixing all its problems maybe building on to it a bit? The location is good because it is on top of a hill in the country surrounded by about ten acres that belong to my dad.

This would function as my primary residence for the forseeable future.

[THE GUTTER]

You're going to spend a ton of cash if you can't do much yourself. If the area is not appreciating fast I say go ahead. If it is, might was well buy new now and not worry with the headache. I would say it would a fun but challenging experience to do it. I've always wanted to and probably will when I'm ready.

[Redsnapper]

As someone who has recently gutted and remodeled a master suite, bath and bedroom, replaced upper level windows, and painted the entire exterior, I will tell you, it's A LOT of work, especially if you already have a job. If you are lucky enough, time wise, to make this a full time project, I say go for it, but you better have some skills, or tools. But speaking from experience, the last thing one WANTS to do when they get off work, is go back to work, working on your house. If you have a sh*t ton of money, I'd hire a contractor, but Gutter is correct, it will cost an arm and a leg, gauranteed! 150 yr. old structure sounds kinda neat, also sounds expensive if your gonna hire somebody. I hate to just repeat what someone else has added, but got to run the numbers, and do some market analysis, talk to a realtor about recent sales, find out what similar real estate is going for where you are at, determine a budget, and see if you'll make a profit. Do A LOT of the work yourself to save money, and if you're getting it for free, it just may be worth it, but don't expect it to be done in 30 minutes like on TV, and whatever budget you come up with, add .25 to it, b/c it's almost always more expensive and more time consuming than originally anticipated. All and all, sounds like fun, good luck.

[HollyB]

The base part of the house is a log cabin that is roughly 150 years old. This part is still sound. The location is good because it is on top of a hill in the country surrounded by about ten acres .


sell it to me

[Thelt]

I grew up in that house too which sort of makes it neat to me. I can do things like carpet, drywall, painting etc. I can not do anything structural though.

[builder]

Hire a contractor to come in and replace everything structural. electrical, and mechanical. You do the aesthetic portion. That will save you a butt load and you can live there while you do the drywall, carpet, etc.

[Redsnapper]

Finishing drywall is a b*tch, you've been warned.

[builder]

Finishing drywall is a b*tch, you've been warned.

not if you know what you're doing. A palm sander makes the job a lot easier.

[Village Idiot]

Anyone ever do this? My parents have an old house that is falling apart. It would need a lot of work to be habitable. The upside is they will give it to me if I want it. I wonder though if it will cost more to fix it than it would to build new.we are in the process right now. as soon as we close on our loan, the contractor will begin on the addition (adding master bed/bath) and then the renovation. we sold our home of 14 years last month. right now we are renting til the job is finished, hopefully by april. this house isnt what i would say, falling apart, but it needs alot of work. 1.5 acres, brick, vinyl windows, good roof, full basement, pool, hardwood floors. we are gonna gut the interior and open up the kitchen/dining/living room area. redo ceilings and sheet rock, existing bath, yard needs some tlc, septic tank is a question, electrical too. kill me now.

[Redsnapper]

not if you know what you're doing. A palm sander makes the job a lot easier.

Yeah, even then, it's still a b*tch! Dirty, time consuming, white booger producing, thankless W-O-R-K. I will sub this out next time, unless you want to come over and help?

[Freakshow]

Dirty, time consuming, white gravy producing. I will sub this out next time, unless you want to come over and help?

I'm sure you guys can work something out...:newsmile20:

[Thelt]

I have done some drywall work before and it is not much fun but it is something that I can do with my limited construction skills. Sanding it is probably the worst part....

[Redsnapper]

I have done some drywall work before and it is not much fun but it is something that I can do with my limited construction skills. Sanding it is probably the worst part....

SUCKS!

[Thelt]

I do not mind hanging the drywall or spreading the joint compound. The sanding does suck though.

[Redsnapper]

I do not mind hanging the drywall or spreading the joint compound. The sanding does suck though.

Yeah, hanging is kind a fun, I'd find a hispanic gentleman to finish it off for you, well worth the money! I'll have some pics to share of what I've done here shortly, it will rival Meatpile's D.I.Y. prowess.

[reb]

Everybody needs to gut a house and fix it back at least once. I've done several. Any bid you get will be just an estimate, you don't know what you are going to find until you start gutting it.

[Village Idiot]

well, we're closing on thursday. so the odyssey will soon begin.

[Thelt]

Everybody needs to gut a house and fix it back at least once. I've done several. Any bid you get will be just an estimate, you don't know what you are going to find until you start gutting it.

I have heard you can sell old cabins for a lot of money. The base part of the house is an old log cabin. The best I can tell it was built in the 1850s. The logs are hand hewn and over a foot thick. I am not sure but they may be made of chestnut since the house pre-dates the blight. They might be Oak though. In any event they are in very good shape.

One option is to demolish the house and sell the logs either to be reassembled or for use in making furniture. Then I have a nice empty lot to build on and the money from selling the logs. Of course I would incur some expense for demolition and clearing.

You seem to know a little about wood working, any thoughts on this being viable?

[gridfaniker]

Anyone ever do this?


all the time. why?

[Thelt]

all the time. why?


I have very little experience with it and do not want to screw myself in the process...

[Village Idiot]

we got the power turned on today. had to close the valve on the water line coming from the well house because the one in the basement doesnt fully close. i dug up the sunken place over the septic tank (with a shovel) and found the cracked lid. its 4x8 with 4 individual lids that are 4x2 each. only one is cracked and it will have to come out. i got it all dug out though so thats behind me now, no big deal. i left around dark. stay tuned.

[Thelt]

we got the power turned on today. had to close the valve on the water line coming from the well house because the one in the basement doesnt fully close. i dug up the sunken place over the septic tank (with a shovel) and found the cracked lid. its 4x8 with 4 individual lids that are 2x4 each. only one is cracked and it will have to come out. i got it all dug out though so thats behind me now, no big deal. i left around dark. stay tuned.

What town is this house in?

[Village Idiot]

just south of mooresville. you aint no inspector or anything like that are you thelt?

[Thelt]

just south of mooresville. you aint no inspector or anything like that are you thelt?

No, I am looking at another house in my area that someone else is fixing up to sell and I thought it might be you.

[Village Idiot]

anybody know where i can get one of these near the mooresville area? its called a screw jack and i only need one. couldnt be found at lowes or home depot.

[Village Idiot]

ok, not everybody at once here. slow down a little. :smash:

[Redsnapper]

ok, not everybody at once here. slow down a little. :smash:

I've SEEN those being used before, if Lowe's or Home Depot tool rental spot ain't got em', look at more locally based tool rental comp. ie. Thomas Rental. Don't know how long you need it for, but it looks temp., if not temp. and if you were south charlotte, I'd suggest Blackhawk Hardware, they gots obscure stuff, or can order it, or there is a place in Matthews, that gets REAL specific, alas, these spots are not in Mooresville. Good luck.

Also, looks like you can modify an exsisting pump/auto jack to fit your needs, but be careful.

[Thelt]

Northern Tool & Equipment? Maybe call an equipment rental place like Sunbelt or Carolina Tractor.

[Village Idiot]

thanks guys. someone told me that Little hardware on Mint St. has them.

btw....these things are used as permanent support structures. lookout below!

[DaveW]

I have heard you can sell old cabins for a lot of money. The base part of the house is an old log cabin. The best I can tell it was built in the 1850s. The logs are hand hewn and over a foot thick. I am not sure but they may be made of chestnut since the house pre-dates the blight. They might be Oak though. In any event they are in very good shape.

One option is to demolish the house and sell the logs either to be reassembled or for use in making furniture. Then I have a nice empty lot to build on and the money from selling the logs. Of course I would incur some expense for demolition and clearing.

You seem to know a little about wood working, any thoughts on this being viable?


i was going to mention this but see you already know. Old logs/bricks sell for some mad cash.

[Redsnapper]

thanks guys. someone told me that Little hardware on Mint St. has them.

btw....these things are used as permanent support structures. lookout below!

Permanent? Just knock some 4x4's in there with a sledge.

[Village Idiot]

drained the existing oil drum this afternoon to prepare it for removal. got nearly 55 gallons of old heating oil outta that thing. rain is forcast for tuesday so plans will be on hold til the weather clears.

[chipshot]

I don't think screw jacks meet code :Asta1:

[Village Idiot]

I don't think screw jacks meet code :Asta1:i dont think i need one now. im friggin glad too.

[Village Idiot]

today

hauled off 5 trash bags of old kitchen junk from the kitchen cabinets and drawers. saved some old china, chrystal, various odds and ends, including 4 old Schlitz beer glasses :congrats:. stripped off all the molding and hood over stove. in the old dining room, me and the father in law stripped off the knotty pine molding, french doors, door frames, base boards, 2 corner china cabinets (and built-in gun cabinet). he wants the old tongue and grove knotty pine paneling but that shit is brittle as hell. we may be able to cut above the finished nails and salvage some but its gonna be tedious as hell. i hope he gives up on that idea. i took down all the interior doors in the house.

[Village Idiot]

not much to comment on today, i hauled some of the old kitchen stuff to the basement, unhooked the plumbing to the sink, took the interior doors to the basement and stripped the moulding from the living room walls, doors and picture window frame. saturday will be my next day down there. hope to remove the old oil drum and the cracked septic tank lid. got alot of wall paper to strip so imma cut the wife loose on that one. the father in law has begun taking down the pine paneling. things are moving along. monday, i'll be off work so the whole day will be dedicated to more demolition. :newsmile61:

[Redsnapper]

Sounds like you've got some help from the family, that definately helps. Post some pics. I should be done with my remodel this weekend, or soon after that, I had my shower floor sprayed with Perma-Ceram, looks awesome, I'll have some pics up as well, keep up the good work.

[Village Idiot]

i'll see what i can do. i wish we were as far along as you are.

[Redsnapper]

i'll see what i can do. i wish we were as far along as you are.

Hell, man, I wish I would've had help, I did it all myself. Installed 6 double pane windows upstairs, did a complete gut and remodel of the master bathroom (which looks like the tits now), expanded the master bedroom closet, and painted and repaired the entire exterior, lots of W-O-R-K on the weekends and after work, looking forward to completing something I started at the beginning of the year. Just got to keep on keepin' on, and eventually we'll finish, right?

[Village Idiot]

removed the oil drum today. cleared out the rest of the old furniture and junk. took down lots of wall paper and more moulding. took down some wainscoting in one room that was nailed and glued to the sheet rock. that shit fucked up the sheet rock so it will all come down. we'll remove all the sheet rock from the exterior walls anyway in order to insulate those walls. removed the pool cover. the water hauler will come by on Monday to top it off (down 18") and the shocking will commence soon. got alot done today, will return on Monday after day of rest, football and beverages tomorrow. i took some pics too.

[Village Idiot]

left out about 8am as i had veterans day off from work. located the water line where it enters the basement and uncovered it for the footing guys. also located the line from the propane tank. finished uncovering the rest of the septic tank. this required an axe to chop the friggin leg-sized roots that had grown over the top of the fourth and final lid. that took a while and kicked my ass. next came the removal of the cracked lid, #3. it was broken and sagging down enough for us to be able to fish a copper tube around it and attach a come-a-long cable, then pull it through. after that we backed up the tractor with the draw bar affixed to the lifting arms and then commenced to lift the broken lid from the septic tank with the come-a-long......thats when the problems began. it would'nt budge for shit. on to plan B. we hooked a chain to the come-a-long cable and fished it around the lid and hooked it directly to the draw bar to let the hydraulics do the work. more problems. while lifting the cracked lide, we cracked another lid and pulled several cinder bolcks from inside the baffle wall of the septic tank loose and they fell into the tank. it appears that when we "fished" our copper tube around the lid, we managed to loop it through a cinder block on the baffle wall directly below the cracked lid, and hidden from our view. FUCK!!!!!!!! after all was said and done, i had to roll the broken lids out onto the ground by hand. we'll repair the damaged baffle wall and form up and pour a new lid complete with rebar fortification, lifting handle and sewer clean-out for easy access in the future. after lunch it was time to haul off some old junk and furniture left behind by the previous owner, 3 pick up truck loads worth. FUCK AGAIN! i did some more tinkering with moulding removal and other small chores before the need for beverages got the best of me and here i am.

forgot to mention that my water hauler guy came by and topped off the pool. he said the liner looked to be in good shape. its only about 2+ years old. with some heavy duty cleaning and shocking. it'll be good to go til next summer arrives.

[Redsnapper]

Damn, V.I., you're gettin' it, aren't you! This weather kind of throws a wrench into scheduling, got to get started early, sun goes down, and it's gettin' cold. I've been working half days b/c I don't like to wake up on the weekends. Temp. is an issue with stain, paint, and exterior tile, got to get that done before it gets super cold.

[HollyB]

left out about 8am as i had veterans day off from work. located the water line where it enters the basement and uncovered it for the footing guys. also located the line from the propane tank. finished uncovering the rest of the septic tank. this required an axe to chop the friggin leg-sized roots that had grown over the top of the fourth and final lid. that took a while and kicked my ass. next came the removal of the cracked lid, #3. it was broken and sagging down enough for us to be able to fish a copper tube around it and attach a come-a-long cable, then pull it through. after that we backed up the tractor with the draw bar affixed to the lifting arms and then commenced to lift the broken lid from the septic tank with the come-a-long......thats when the problems began. it would'nt budge for shit. on to plan B. we hooked a chain to the come-a-long cable and fished it around the lid and hooked it directly to the draw bar to let the hydraulics do the work. more problems. while lifting the cracked lide, we cracked another lid and pulled several cinder bolcks from inside the baffle wall of the septic tank loose and they fell into the tank. it appears that when we "fished" our copper tube around the lid, we managed to loop it through a cinder block on the baffle wall directly below the cracked lid, and hidden from our view. FUCK!!!!!!!! after all was said and done, i had to roll the broken lids out onto the ground by hand. we'll repair the damaged baffle wall and form up and pour a new lid complete with rebar fortification, lifting handle and sewer clean-out for easy access in the future. after lunch it was time to haul off some old junk and furniture left behind by the previous owner, 3 pick up truck loads worth. FUCK AGAIN! i did some more tinkering with moulding removal and other small chores before the need for beverages got the best of me and here i am.

forgot to mention that my water hauler guy came by and topped off the pool. he said the liner looked to be in good shape. its only about 2+ years old. with some heavy duty cleaning and shocking. it'll be good to go til next summer arrives.

:thud:

[Village Idiot]

the termite guy came by this morning. we got us some termites and some damage too. no huge deal. same shit. different day. imma take the afternoon off from "the project" today. :couch:

[Freakshow]

VI...

You need your own TV show. Also...how in hell do you get so much done in a day?

[Village Idiot]

my father-in-law helps me when he can as they live next door to the house. he had a stroke about a year and a half ago and then had his prostate removed (cancer) this summer. he does what he can and he has decent carpentry skills/knowledge but his cancer treatment will soon begin and he may be kinda sick during that. we have an old jalopy tractor that helps with the HEAVY outside lifting too. my contractor will come in soon to build the addition and build back the existing interior to our specifications. i can handle the demo part and will handle some plumbing as my background was in the water/sewer business for much of my early tenure with the city. in my younger days i may have lost faith sooner but i think my tenacious edge has been worn down a bit and my (our) monetary rescources have increased enough to let things roll off my back a little easier. sometimes i wonder if i've lost my mind when i consider that we already had a nice home before, sold it, and decided to change gears in our life to tackle "this old house."

[Village Idiot]

the exterminator installed the Sentricon termite system this morning. my wife and her dad took up the old carpet, padding, staples and perimeter strips. later my in-laws started removing the old kitchen cabinets and sink. i went down after work and loaded up the old carpet and padding into my truck and dismantled the shelving in the largest of the bedroom closets, as well as the crown moulding in that room. also loaded up some old moulding and shelving boards.

[Village Idiot]

got alot done yesterday and today....all the remaining moulding and door frames, removed all the kitchen cabinets, the behemoth stove, the kitchen flooring, the bathroom fixtures, ceiling tiles in the living room and one bedroom, did some minor re-arragement in the basement. soon the walls will be stripped of all the sheet rock and then my contractor can do his thing. he came by today and has a target start date of approx. 2 weeks. we are getting there. i'm beat.

[Village Idiot]

been real busy the last two days. my contractor and his crew began work yesterday tearing off the porch/roof on the west side of the house where the master suite is to be built. they got everything down but the concrete slab and brick/block porch foundation, which was removed and hauled off today by another sub for $130.00. (not too shabby.) inside, all the ceiling tiles are down and ALL THE SHEET ROCK is down and the inside demolition is 99% complete. nothing but studs and hard wood floors throughout the entire house. Fuckin' A! our demo dumpster is about full too. things are moving quickly. i got Monday off so i'll be down there pitching bricks into the dumpster as the outside brick wall must come down on the addition/west side of the house. i'll be piddling around in the basement too, making room for the electrician and plumbing.

[Village Idiot]

my contractor had to work at another job site today so i spent the entire day differently than i had planned. first, i cut down the over-grown azalea's surrounding the front, SE side of the house and the huge ornamental cedar. the rest of the day was spent in the basement organizing and cleaning. cut down the remaining, towering rose bushes and arbor at the back of the house right before dark.

[reb]

But can you do THIS!

[Freakshow]

my contractor had to work at another job site today so i spent the entire day differently than i had planned. first, i cut down the over-grown azalea's surrounding the front, SE side of the house and the huge ornamental cedar. the rest of the day was spent in the basement organizing and cleaning. cut down the remaining, towering rose bushes and arbor at the back of the house right before dark.

What exactly are you PRESERVING? Wouldn't it be easier to buy some land and start from scratch?????

[Village Idiot]

What exactly are you PRESERVING? Wouldn't it be easier to buy some land and start from scratch?????yes, it woulda been a HELLUVA lot easier to purchase a turn key house, like the one we sold, that we lived in for the past 14 years, to go this route. my wife really wanted this but i tried to disuade her from it. she won out......go figure (dont laugh). i actually had hoped we could'nt sell our home in time so this current deal would fall through but everything fell into place all of a sudden like and here i am.

this place is an older family home (on my wifes side of the family) and right beside her parents home/land. it aint so bad and its gonna be real nice but i'll sure be glad when this thing is finished. i've worked my ass off this last month and we've only just begun. :thud:

stay tuned. i plan on continuing this running documentary in hopes of helping (scaring) some other poor soul. my mother-in-law has about 30 demolition pics on her computer. i'd like to compile a "before and after' presentation for the board when this is finished.

[HollyB]

Your wife just doesn't want you being pitiful lonely for the kids. This keeps you busy.

[Village Idiot]

LOL Holly!

today began at 8am. i busted down the bricks on the exterior wall where the addition is to be built. then i loaded them onto my truck and drove around the house to the dumpster and pitched them in, one load at a time.......took all day and my arms now feel like they have lead weights attatched to them. but i'm ok. gonna go party with the wife down in south Charlotte at the Philip Morris Christmas Party at Jilians, i think. we gotta limo and some friends are riding with us. anyway, the HVAC guy came buy and we spoke about a totally new central heating and ac deal for the entire house, a hybrid gas/heat pump thing. that means i get to rip out more stuff. the old gas heater and all the air ducts in the basement gotta go. then the electrician came by. all the old cloth insulated wiring has gotta go too. more stuff for me to rip out. he'll disconnect all the in-house power, drop a construction/well dual power outlet and give me the green light to remove all the existing house wiring. my contractor then stops by. the old attic insulation should come out. more shit for me to do. but the sweat equity that i'm doing myself is saving me money on my overall renovation costs. i sometimes feel like i'm being swept up in all of this and dont know when things will settle down. but i know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel somewhere. i gotta keep going. i'm ready to party a little bit.

[Village Idiot]

the wife and i laid outta work today and headed off around 7am. after a trip to Bojangles the commencement of HELL DAY began. the attic insulation had to come down and by God we were the ones' for the job. one layer of old dirty-ass rolled insulation underneath another layer of the blown-in "snow"......took all friggin day. the box of 52 count 55 gal. industrial trash bags are loaded and stacked out by the fence. i'll toss them into the dumpster tommorow after it has been emptied. i took out the old ceiling fan while i was up there too. damn thing weighed a ton. my contractor came by after lunch with his grading sub and dug the foundation for the addition footers. while all of this was going on, some junk man came by and asked what we were going to do with the behemoth stove and aluminum gutters and flashing that had been removed. i told him to take it if he would take the old heating oil drum that had laid out back for over a month since we removed it. he took it all. :peacemanmw:

after we had taken down the bulk of the insulation, i got up in the attic with my leaf blower and finished the job right. then we swept up and got the hell outta there. my father in-law helped us load the bags....appreciated that, it was a nasty damn job and we are beat.

[Yuck]

Insulation is the worst.

[Village Idiot]

the footings for the addition were poured on Wednesday. i've stopped by every day after work to take measurements, clean up a little, throw some things in the dumpster.......and tinker around the house. not much left to do until the electrician disconnects the main breaker and drops the construction outlet, then gives me the go-ahead to gut the existing wiring.
looks like i get a Saturday off. yee haa :happy:

[HollyB]

? still waiting for the electrician?

[builder]

where the hell are the pictures?

[Village Idiot]

talked to the electrician on Monday. he said he'll try to get by this week but he has yet to do so. the masons should be doing their thing too.

my mother in-law has the pics on her pc, builder. she said she'll bring her card over and down load them onto mine. i'll need to re-size them (i guess) then i can post them.

i've been tinkering around this week. i installed a garden hose bib for the masons since i've disconnected the house piping. tore out the remaining exterior door, window, and their framing and the rest of the black board on the addition side....pulling nails, picking up, sweeping, organizing. my son is home from school now so we'll remove the tub and as much of the plumbing as we can this afternoon. hopefully i can strip wire on Saturday.

[DaveW]

no pics of this project?

[The_professor]

needs more pics

[Freakshow]

:pics[1]:

[Redsnapper]

got any pictures?

[Village Idiot]

today i ripped out all the old duct work in the basement, including the return duct.i gotta damn big old pile too. i talked to the hvac guy on Wednesday and we opted to go with the hybrid heat pump/gas system. they'll be running all the duct work through the attic this time so the basement will have lots more head room in places. still no masons nor electrical. still waiting. hopefully things will pick back up after new years. my mom is moving back in with us til we can get her some adequate assited living quarters lined up so that will take some of our time. hopefully i can get some pics up here soon for yall.

[Village Idiot]

well, the friggin masons fianlly showed up today and laid all the block and brick. but when i went down this afternoon to check on things my father-in-law told me that they had no water. we checked the well house and the pump motor was running and kinda hot. i guessed that maybe when the electrician did his thing he maybe crossed the wires and the well pump motor was running backwards. its an easy check that i will do in the morning when i'm down, ripping out the wiring in the basement. i killed the power anyways. i did call him to inquire about that possibility. at first he said that it could have happened but as we talked he suggested that the foot valve in the well may have failed. FUCK! i'm not 100% sold on that. it worked fine up until he did his construction outlets and well by-pass. i'll find out tomorrow when i'm down there.

we opted for the hybrid (electric/propane) heat pump HVAC system and gave the go-ahead to our sub on that deal.

i'll be looking to rent a floor sander in the interim so's i can get a jump on the hardwoods. no finish work, just rough grinding and sanding, hopefully before the drywall guys come in. lotsa dust clean-up invloved with the floor work.

on top of all this, we've had some scum bags dumping their trash in our construction dumpster. we got their identity from the discarded mail we found, called the sherriff and they said to post NO TRESPASSING signs. they would not talk to the fuckers even though they lived right down the road from our site. WTF? but, it so happened that my father-in-law (who lives next door) caught them today, in broad daylight, throwing more trash into my dumpster, and confronted them about it. they had some BS story but took their bags and drove off. hell yeah! i covered the framing seals and pre-fabbed joist beams in the drive way and ordered take-out Chinese on my cell.

[Village Idiot]

yesterday i removed all the wiring in the basement and checked the wiring on the well. wiring isnt the issue and imma have to call the well guy. another expense i must incur. i wont ask whats next. i dont wanna know.

my contractor showed up and we hand graded the crawl space inside the new addition foundation and laid the moisture barrier. i saw the water proofing guys down there after church so the floor seals and joists will go in as planned tomorrow. meanwhile, i'll take the mlk vacation day to finish up removing the old outlets, light fixtures and antique electrical panels.

another day in paradise.

[Village Idiot]

today i finished up with the complete removal of all existing electrical wiring, boxes and fixtures. the well guy came by after lunch and found my problem. it was wired for 110 instead of 220. evidently my electrician did this when he dropped the power to my house and wired the well back up. it cost me $75 and maybe i'll get that back in reduced labor fees whe we re-wire the house in a few weeks. we'll see. i'm just glad it was'nt anything really expensive. my contractor got started on the floor framing and will return tomorrow to finish the joist work. it will have to be inspected before the sub-floor goes down. i did some cleaning and organizing in the basement as the afternoon wore on. placed the metal and wiring outside for the junk man. sawed up the old piping, kept some for whatever may come up down the road. cleared out some useable space. the once cramped basement with low hanging duct work and hap-hazard wiring is beginning to open up nicely. we went to get some materials for the cabinets so my in-laws can continue building them for the house. we sifted through the plywood til we got the best looking grain. it was a good day.

[Village Idiot]

yesterday i removed the old cast iron sewer drain header in the basement. my sub will install white plastic in its place. the sub-floor is in place on the addition. the walls and roof trusses should go up next week, weather permitting. we looked at whirlpool tubs and other bath fixtures this morning (i'm working a double shift tonight). looks like we'll drop a grand on our desired 60" x 42" tub alone unless i can find one cheaper elsewhere. soon and very soon, the electrical work will begin and i'll need to run my RG6 (tv) and possibly Cat5 (phone/internet.) i've been doing some research on my own and hope to do this myself. dont laugh. i'll also run my surround sound speaker wiring too. i want some options out by the pool for those times when i dont want to miss the game or race or want XM radio out there. we'll see about all that. i got some drain trenching to do in the near future and maybe i'll run a conduit out that way while i'm at it. anybody got any extra money they want to get rid of?

[Village Idiot]

:thud:

[Stargazer]

Use the extra money to buy a camera and post some pictures. :trampoline:

[Village Idiot]

Use the extra money to buy a camera and post some pictures. :trampoline:my mother-in-law has taken pics. i actually down-loaded over 150 of them onto my pc but they're to large to post on here. i need some advice as how to re-size them so i can post them on here. help me!

i have windows xp

[Stargazer]

my mother-in-law has taken pics. i actually down-loaded over 150 of them onto my pc but they're to large to post on here. i need some advice as how to re-size them so i can post them on here. help me!

i have windows xp

Do you have some kind of picture viewing software? A lot of them have a resizing utility in them, but I don't think that Windows has one. Your MIL may have the software that came with her camera that you could download. It may or may not have one. There may be some freeware out there, but I haven't had any experience with them, so I can't recommend anything.

Sorry VI. Wish I could be more help, because I'd love to watch the progress. It sounds like a LOT of work. :notworthy:

[builder]

my mother-in-law has taken pics. i actually down-loaded over 150 of them onto my pc but they're to large to post on here. i need some advice as how to re-size them so i can post them on here. help me!

i have windows xp

www.download.com search for irfanview. Cheap, small, and easy. Just like my men. :newsmile57:

[Bootay]

i need some advice as how to re-size them so i can post them on here. help me!

i have windows xp

http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/ImageResizerPowertoySetup.exe

That tool, once installed, let's you simply right-click on an image, choose resize, pick the size, and it makes a COPY (by default) of that picture but resized to fit your need. Can't be easier, and it's free :).

[Honeygirl]

This sounds amazing VI - just brilliant!

If you need a hand with the pictures, flick them to me at my gmail address and I'll downsize them for you and flick them back.

Let me know :trampoline:.

[Village Idiot]

thanks bootay, i've installed the program and am working on it. i aint too computer literate tho. stay tuned. i may need to send them to HG if i cant figure this thing out.

[Village Idiot]

testing, hell yeah!!!!!!!!!

[Village Idiot]

demo 101

[Village Idiot]

kitchen cabinets gotta go. we'll re-use them in the basement.

[Village Idiot]

old ceiling tiles come down. wimmens must pull their wieght around here!

[Village Idiot]

the old side porch has to go too. me and momma will have a new master suite on this site.

[Village Idiot]

i coulda done all this by hand but i didnt want to be a show-off

[Village Idiot]

dry wall........GONE!

[Village Idiot]

wont forget this day :bitecurb:

[Village Idiot]

footing for the addition

[Village Idiot]

masons FINALLY show up

[Mudcat]

Great photos, that is really a project. BTW, you have 2 pretty daughters.

[Village Idiot]

Great photos, that is really a project. BTW, you have 2 pretty daughters.lol

the brunette on my right is my wife, silly.

[Honeygirl]

:Woot_Emoticon: Awesome! Great job VI...can't wait to see the finished product...probably not as much as you though!

[Village Idiot]

another day, another development in this renovation. i had the chimney guy come by to clean and inspect both flues (of the double flued chimney), the one for the upstairs fireplace as well as the one for the basement. i had hopes of putting a wood stove in the basement for me. it was gonna be MY place, i could tinker with projects or just sit by the fire and drink beer and look out across the way. but hell no, i got the call about 2:30 on my cell. i guess it might have been years of oil furnace exhaust (the home had once employed a basement oil furnace that had the giant floor grate in the center of the house) that ate away at the flue liner. he gave me an estimate for repairs. my heart sank, then i became bitter, i stopped in for a case of beer on the way home from work. then my contractor called from the site. he suggested tearing the chimney completely down tomorrow. his guys would do it. i'll talk to the wife just to get her input but i'm leaning towards his point of view right now. i can always build a brand new chimney for my wood stove off the back of the house at a later date. :newsmile61:

[JeykleHyde]

Seal the fireplace off and put in ventless gas logs.

[Village Idiot]

Seal the fireplace off and put in ventless gas logs.it aint the same j/h but thanks for the suggestion. we had gas logs in our other house and they were ok but i aint crazy about them. i want my damn wood stove! like i had in our very first home. an englander/timber ridge with a window in the door and fire brick lining and my ash bucket and wood shed.

fire, smoke, poker, wood pile, oak, hickory, beer, wild cherry, smoke, logs.....good!

gas logs with a switch to turn them on and off......bad.

[HollyB]

wow just wow VI, that's a lot of work!

[builder]

Hey VI....wanna fuck? If not, ask the guy in the black shorts in the first pic if he's interested. Preesh.


Oh....why not just build a new house? :bounce:

[Redsnapper]

Very impressive, looks like a lot of fun.

[Village Idiot]

Hey VI....wanna fuck? If not, ask the guy in the black shorts in the first pic if he's interested. Preesh.


Oh....why not just build a new house? :bounce:oh please :handbang:

i posed the second question to my wife a few times before we decided to go this route. we toured some models, homes, town homes, to get some decorating ideas and i specifically remember saying, "we could get alot more for our money (and trouble) if we bought a brand new place." but its the location and the house. its her grandparents old family home and we envision family gatherings in the future and stuff like that. so here i am. i'm ok with it though. i get to vent on here and let the dust settle. we'll be fine in the end.............when i get my damn wood stove in the basement.

[Village Idiot]

the chimney is completely down and once my contractor began to tear into it he discovered it was worse than we thought. i guess if there is a silver lining in this thing it is that we averted a potential disaster. i went by the health dept. to get the required zoning permit for a septic assessment. it cost $100 to convert my building permit into a zoning permit. once they come out to my site and determine what level of septic system i'll need it will cost me another $300-$600, just for the county. i hope to be rated for a 25% reduction septic system which will run me another $3500 to have installed. i'll know for sure next week, hopefully. my plumber looks to begin work tomorrow. he'll rough in the old house as well as the new addition by next week, provided the walls are completed. my contractor says that they will be. yesterday i did alot of digging after i got off work. i tunneled under the well house so i could connect my new main line to the existing valve, then i dug a trench, about 15 yards long, from the house out past the cement drive going into the basement. my new sewer drain will go here and marry up with the line from the addition, then continue to the stub-out for the new septic tank. i had to hand dig this trench due tothe close proximity of the drive and awning structure, i wasnt sure a trencher could get as close to it as i needed the ditch to be. today i chisled out the old cast iron sewer drain from its path through the basement wall and removed the last of the old drain system. i was gonna use it but it was only cast iron for about 3 feet, then it changed over to Orangeburg pipe. Orangeburg pipe was used circa WWII due to the lack of available metal. it resembles a stiff tar paper-like subsatnce and absolutely sucks as far as durabilty goes. i first ran across it during my days with the city water and sewer maint. dept. it crushes and colapses easily and i even punched several holes into it with my probing rod while i was attempting to trace my drain line. i was quite surprised to find it here but go figure. just another day and another weird finding. i was supposed to have the day off tomorrow to be there with the plumber but i gotta go in for a little bit. i got so much i need to be doing but so little time. i'll be glad when its over. right now the place looks like its been bombed and i feel like i was inside when it happened.

[Village Idiot]

here is a pic i googled of orangeburg pipe...this particular section of pipe has colapsed. i've seen where it has been crushed by tree roots. its that weak.

[Stargazer]

Awesome pics, VI!! Thanks for the visuals. It makes it much easier to understand what you describe in your posts. Wow! That is a huge project, but it looks like you are up to it.

You have a lovely family. No wonder you are so proud of them. :sun:

[Village Idiot]

the exterior and interior walls for the addition went up today. i got some pics that will be posted later. i've had to do some pre-liminary work for the plumber and purchase the jacuzzi tub and shower for the new master bath, done!. i ripped out part of the rotted sub-flooring in the old bath and kitchen before 8:00 this morning (it was kinda cold) then had to go to work for a bit. i replaced the sub-floor in those areas and my bro-in-law will rip out some more sub-flooring in the morning. i got to work til 3pm tomorrow (bangs head). my wife will select the master bath faucets/sink/shower fixtures tomorrow. lots to do. we're getting there.

[Village Idiot]

Awesome pics, VI!! Thanks for the visuals. It makes it much easier to understand what you describe in your posts. Wow! That is a huge project, but it looks like you are up to it.

You have a lovely family. No wonder you are so proud of them. :sun:you're a good gal. i can tell.

[Stargazer]

you're a good gal. i can tell.
:wink2:

[builder]

fire, smoke, poker, wood pile, oak, hickory, beer, wild cherry, smoke, logs.....good!

gas logs with a switch to turn them on and off......bad.

:notworthy:

[Village Idiot]

while i was at work yesterday, my brother-in-law and his dad finished ripping out the old sub-floor in the kitchen. it consisted of 1/4" plywood on top of black and red vinyl tiles (wtf?) and 3/4" tongue and groove boards. not the classic hardwood flooring but a wider board. then they put down 3/4" tongue and groove plywood. when i got off work i went down to help finish up. we opted for 2.5" screws and we got a couple pounds of them at the hardware store. while he started sinking them, i mixed up some mud and patched some holes in the basement (including the old chimney flues) and around the new sewer drain pipe. when i got done i went upstairs, he was struggling with the screws, stripping heads, snapping them off, etc. he was beat so i took over so he could go home. it was brutal and tedious but i finished up around dark. its gonna be secure. i dont know if i want to go over it with tile or the cork flooring. decisions, decisions. me and the wife looked at some granite slabs for the kitchen countertops this afternoon. i love the wild, exotic stuff. the golds, reds and browns with the veins running through it....................more decisions.

[wossa]

damn RD, that looks like a bunch of work. We had a deal on our chimney like that. A fire trap we can't use. Unless we spend $7K to repair - or do those ventless gas logs. It runs right up through the middle of the house so we can't tear down and rebuild.

At this point we are contemplating ripping it out to the floor upstairs, patching the roof and expanding our master bath. My brother says it won't be that hard - of course he always says that.

nice to see the pics - and oh yeah, fancy says you need a massage :massage:

[Village Idiot]

damn RD, that looks like a bunch of work. We had a deal on our chimney like that. A fire trap we can't use. Unless we spend $7K to repair - or do those ventless gas logs. It runs right up through the middle of the house so we can tear down and rebuild.

At this point we are contemplating ripping it out to the floor upstairs, patching the roof and expanding our master bath. My brother says it won't be that hard - of course he always says that.

nice to see the pics - and oh yeah, fancy says you need a massage :massage:i could use one of those deep tissue massages.

if he has the know-how and you have the money all its gonna take is the want-to. sometimes i wonder when im gonna run out of all three. :newsmile32:

[Village Idiot]

the roof sheeting and tar paper are up on the addition. the roofer should be in on Tuesday (man its gonna be cold). we will go with the onyx weatherguard hp, 30 yr. shingle. the plumber said he would shoot for Tuesday too (we'll see). then my electrician will do a walk through with me as well....one day this week. we have purchased all the plumbing fixtures. a granite vanity top w/ undermounted sink is on order. we dug the ditch for the 80" of new 1" schedule 40, 450 psi white plastic water main from the well house to the house, laid the pipe and backfilled approx. 80% of the ditch so contractors can still drive across that area of the back yard. then i had to tunnel under the foundation on the new addition for the master bath sewer drain. that was a serious bitch. we had planned on hooking into the drain header in the basement but headroom would have been an issue. we finished up cleaning the bricks from the chimney removal from the yard while my tractor man was there. we also chucked some scrap wood into the dumpster and other general cleaning. i plan on tying in the new water main to the well tomorrow after i get off work and back filling about 10' of trench at the well house. i'll remove the old stairs to the basement after the plumbing and electrical has been installed. we will replace them with a brand new flight complete with enclosed walls and a door at the bottom for maximum insulation efficiency. still, lots to do. i got more pics and will post them in the weeks to come.

[HollyB]

How do you know how to do all this? I thought you worked with Osprey's? ;)

Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel? (Not the one saying you're working yourself to death!)

[Village Idiot]

How do you know how to do all this? I thought you worked with Osprey's? ;)

Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel? (Not the one saying you're working yourself to death!)i'll take a day off at work every now and then, the holidays, saturdays, and a few hours after work each day. ask anyone who has ever taken on a project like this and they'll tell you it will consume your life for the time being. i have'nt been to the gym since thanksgiving. mom moved in with us on new years day and i've had to pull some weekends and night shifts (like last night) til we get our relief tech certified. yes, there is light and i hope to bring it to you with more pictures to go along with this blog.

[builder]

VI....that chimney, how hard was it to take it down? Did you bring it down brick by brick or did you just push it over?

[Village Idiot]

VI....that chimney, how hard was it to take it down? Did you bring it down brick by brick or did you just push it over?my contractor tore it down brick by brick....took a whole day. the floor decking for the addition was already in place by the time i had the chimney cleaned/inspected. i had no idea it was gonna be in such bad shape or i coulda already had it down. maybe my experience can help somebody else who reads this in the future.

[builder]

maybe my experience can help somebody else who reads this in the future.

:pinklove2:

Since it's a foreclosure, I've discounted my offer almost $10k for the chimney that will need to be torn down and rebuilt. Since there may be issues with the wall as well that won't be known until the siding is removed, I'm having an inspection done even though I don't have to.

[Village Idiot]

good call mr. b

[Village Idiot]

ok, the new roof is on. we went with the architect shingle in the onyx (light/dark) mix. it makes the red brick and white trim really pop. we'll do the shutters (and possibly the gutters) in black as well. the new windows are in, sans the 4x4 glass block portal over the tub. the plumbing is in, to be inspected tomorrow. my new granite vanity top came in today and i picked it up this evening. the walls have been opened up from the kitchen thru to the dining room and onto the living room. the load bearing wall in the dining room was beamed even with the rafters and will be hidden from view but still carry the weight of the ceiling in that area. the whole space is now one. amazing the transformation. it'll be great for family gatherings and parties. the old stairway to the basement has been removed and a new one will be built complete with new repositioned doorway into the living room. i cleaned up the inside this afternoon and shop-vacced the wood chips and old nails from every corner.......til the next sub does his thing. we're on our 3rd construction dumpster and it will probably be our last. those things aint cheap.

[Village Idiot]

alot of small stuff has been/is getting done these last few days. new stairs to the basement, new pantry roughed in, vinyl/aluminum soffitt work and i tore down the old gutters this afternoon. i met with the electrician yesterday and have a quote for the whole house. i may be working saturday and sunday setting gang boxes and pulling wire. we'll see. also hvac is slated to come in on monday. i got to tie in the new 1" water line from the well to the stub-out at the house. still waiting on the final word from the county as to what type of new septic system i'll need to install/pay for (damnit). i also gotta buy a new hot water heater and steel attic stairs. my father-in-law continues to build our kitchen cabinets. pics to come soon.

[Village Idiot]

hooked up the water supply from the well and charged the line to the house....no leaks. back-filled most of the water and sewer ditches but didnt get done completely.

[Village Idiot]

here are a few more pics.......

[Village Idiot]

more...

[Village Idiot]

i tried to give a progressive compilation of photos in this last set. it was friggin cold the past few weeks but most of the exterior rough construction is complete. we'll add new gutters and some drainage and landscape in time. you get a few glimpses of the huge willow tree and the pecan and walnut trees in one or two of the shots. thats me digging under the new addition foundation for the sewer and my father-in-law building kitchen cabinets.

[Redsnapper]

V.I. that looks great, I like the view from the backyard, looks a field with no neighbors, perfect. We had similar front porches, I painted my iron work black, and installed some natural slate over the brick. Keep an eye out for how they do the gutters. Your progress is impressive and entertaining, you da' mang!

[Village Idiot]

V.I. that looks great, I like the view from the backyard, looks a field with no neighbors, perfect. We had similar front porches, I painted my iron work black, and installed some natural slate over the brick. Keep an eye out for how they do the gutters. Your progress is impressive and entertaining, you da' mang!thanks red, that pasture will soon be a sub-division but we own a good portion of the property out behind our house so they wont be right on top of us. you can kind of see the fence line in a few pics (after looking at the pic, i own about 150' from the well house back.) i wish it was different but land is a hot commodity around here right now. alot of the old folks are dying off and their children are selling the land that was left to them for nice profits. i cant blame them really. it beats paying taxes on pasture land that they have no intentions of utilizing like their forefathers did. i'd like to keep the iron work if i can strip the many layers of thick paint but it isnt a priority. we will bust up the two remaining brick porches anyway and build back with pressure treated lumber, a large deck overlooking the pool out back and a smaller, more practical porch at the front entrance. i will heed your call as to the gutter work. i'm still torn between black or white. the main thing is to route the rain away from the foundation to minimize infiltration into the basement. thanks again.

[wossa]

pool?

so when is the house warming party? You gonna have this thing done by summer time?:bottomup: :beer: :Woot_Emoticon:

[Village Idiot]

pool?

so when is the house warming party? You gonna have this thing done by summer time?:bottomup: :beer: :Woot_Emoticon:looks like its gonna be closer to the mid-late april time frame. we had origionally planned to be in there at the end of march but you know how that stuff goes. another month in the rental. you and fancy come on down! i'll heat up some dead chickens and chill down some swamp water. :orangehat:

[Village Idiot]

the new hybrid hvac system is in and the electrician will begin in the morning. we'll re-wire the entire house. all the existing wiring has already been removed so the hard part of that job is over. we'll also do the new phone and cables for tv.

wossa was in this neck of the woods today and stopped by to see me down at the house. he had on a collared shirt and tie. :rotflmao: he cleans up pretty well though. i guess fancy 'bout has him trained the right way.....cant be a bad thing i guess. he seems pretty happy. see you again soon my friend and good luck with your ventures.

[wossa]

thanks RD - the house is taking shape for sure. Lot's of hard work has gone into it that's for sure. It passed the wossa inspection so I'm sure you'll sleep better tonight.

Today was the first time I've worn a tie since I don't know when.

and one thing I did learn today - Moorseville has some seriously fucked up traffic. I couldn't handle that parking lot they call Hwy 150 every day.

see you soon and keep up the good work.

and pretty happy doesn't even begin to describe it :newsmile42:

[builder]

anybody know where i can get one of these near the mooresville area? its called a screw jack and i only need one. couldnt be found at lowes or home depot.

I guess you don't need to know this now, but the Home Depot in Greensboro has them. They have the end pieces. You put a 6x6 between them.

[Village Idiot]

I guess you don't need to know this now, but the Home Depot in Greensboro has them. They have the end pieces. You put a 6x6 between them.thanks b, after the new stairwell to the basement was contructed they took some of the existing poles out. now i have have a surplus! these are the steel pipe braces with the screw jack and plate at the top. imma keep them, you never know.

this weekend was spent setting electrical gang boxes for the ENTIRE house. word to the wise; if you're gonna reno and older home, remove the piece of shit nails from the gang boxes and replace them with 16 penny sinkers. those cheap nails they put in them will bend up like spaghetti if you try nailing them into those old ass studs.......trust me. that old wood is hard as hell.

[Village Idiot]

so the electrical "home runs" are in place as of this evening. i ran them myself, thank you very much (lets hope they pass inspection). i ran the cat5 telephone wiring also. my electrician hopes to come in tomorrow to run the rest of the wiring. i got 250' of RG6/U Quad cable for maximum hi-def capability. i will run that myself this weekend. i have also pre-drilled for surround sound speakers. we used our 10% off coupon at Lowes and bought a friggin 80 gallon water heater and steel attic stairs this afternoon. more pics to come.

[Redsnapper]

so the electrical "home runs" are in place as of this evening. i ran them myself, thank you very much (lets hope they pass inspection). i ran the cat5 telephone wiring also. my electrician hopes to come in tomorrow to run the rest of the wiring. i got 250' of RG6/U Quad cable for maximum hi-def capability. i will run that myself this weekend. i have also pre-drilled for surround sound speakers. we used our 10% off coupon at Lowes and bought a friggin 80 gallon water heater and steel attic stairs this afternoon. more pics to come.

steel attic stairs, fancy.

[Village Idiot]

steel attic stairs, fancy.sure, they're cheaper than the aluminum ones.

this afternoon was spent running the tv cables. i went with 250' of the RG6/U or "Quad" cable and made 4 runs to the terminal site in the basement. RG6/U is supposed to be better for hi-def. dont get it confused with the standard RG6 though, RG6/U is .29/foot and RG6 is .19/foot. thats it for today. doesnt sound like much but it was tedious as hell.

[Village Idiot]

more wiring, all weekend.......i never realized there was so much wiring in a house. i'll never look at another house in the same way again.

[Village Idiot]

i hope to finish with the fire caulking and other finish tasks as the electrical inspection is set for Monday. then the spay-on foam insulation will be next. we got a preliminary quote of around $8,000+ for that. its expensive but well worth it in the long run. the county should have our permit drawn up for the new septic system soon. i hope we can get that in so i can get the yard ready before the grass really begins to come in. we priced some granite today. we visited N2 Granite here in Mooresville and got some favorable quotes for the type of stone that we want in the kitchen. its pricey but affordable and is a MUST to depict the decor we want for that critical zone. we also bought a rice rug today at the World Market for the living room. it contains the color palate that will be our inspiration for much of the great/living room vicinity. i got some more pics too.

[Thelt]

I had a contractor look at the house I started this thread about. He told me it was not worth fixing. He said it had mold issues and would be too expensive to bring it up to code.

[Village Idiot]

I had a contractor look at the house I started this thread about. He told me it was not worth fixing. He said it had mold issues and would be too expensive to bring it up to code.sorry to hear about that thelt. what kind of moisture sources/issues is causing the mold?

[Village Idiot]

the county inspector passed the electrical today (whew!) as i did much of the work myself, under the direction of the electrical sub of course. and now we'll move on to the insulation phase. as i noted before, we are going with the spray-on foam insulation. it will cost alot more to begin with but we'll save on energy bills as well as reduce outside noise greatly. after that, the dry wall goes up. then we'll sand (re-finish) the hardwood floors and probably do some wall priming. we only have til the end of April on our current lease (here at the rental) that has already been extended one month. we are still waiting on word from the county health dept. as to the specs for our new septic system. i hope we get that in soon so we can fix the yard back before the grass really begins to grow. still much to do with little time left.

:newsmile32:

[HollyB]

Shoulda went fishing....:twocents:

[Thelt]

sorry to hear about that thelt. what kind of moisture sources/issues is causing the mold?

He was not very specific. I think he did not want to deal with it. He used a lot of blanket statements like you always run into mold with old houses that have been sitting for a while like this. He also mentioned that it would take a lot to bring it up to code.

[Redsnapper]

V.I. I've seen that spray on foam application on T.V., man I'm jealous! That stuff looks pretty cool, the sound and energy proofing seems substantial, I had no idea it was that expensive, I'm sure they are making a killing on labor. If I remeber correctly they take a huge electric turkey knife thingy to cut the excess, that's pretty cool! Sounds like your hitting the home stretch getting that drywall hung, your progress is very impressive.

[Village Idiot]

here ya go.......first, its me setting some electrical boxes and minor wiring and whatnot.

i am not an electrician

[Village Idiot]

next, its time for "Hardwood Floor Repair for Dummies"

to remove the old flooring you must first drill a 1" hole at each end of the particular board(s). then slice out a channel from hole to hole using a skill saw set at just enough depth to cut through the hardwood slat but not into the sub floor. watch out for nails. the old "cut nails" they used back then will throw off sparks when you hit them so its easy to identify. you simply raise the saw as needed and go over the top of the nail and lower it back into the wood. then chisel out the center cut, then the groove side and chisel away the tongue side and pull out the remaining nails....all the while being careful not to damage any of the surrounding flooring. to replace with new slat. cut to length, chisel off the bottom groove piece and possibly the end tongue piece. set in place and drill 5/64" pilot holes to either tongue or at each end on top, whatever the application calls for and nail down with 6D finish nails (feel free to cuss the flimsy nails that bend up like spaghetti). its tedious as hell. i made sure to picture the tools and various stages of the task. i aint done yet cuz the insulators came in today.........

[Village Idiot]

check this shit out. its spray-on foam insulation and the entire house will get a coat....even between the rafters, directly beneath the roof sheeting. how 'bout that? its the next big thing in insulation, has a killer R value, wont absorb moisture and keeps outside noise at bay like you would'nt believe. i think he said this particular type was called Isotene, or something like that. they spray it on and trim the excess away with a reciprocating saw equipped with a friggin 3' blade! it makes a damn mess but the guy says he'll be outta there by tomorrow. plastic sheeting was laid to make for easy clean-up. maybe i'll have my hardwood floors repaired before the dry wall guys come in. that would rule but it'll take the bulk of this weekend to do...........more beer please!

[builder]

I saw that shit a few years ago on HomeTime. It looks like great stuff. Pun intended and not. :artist:

[Village Idiot]

I saw that shit a few years ago on HomeTime. It looks like great stuff. Pun intended and not. :artist:the installation crew said that most every new construction will be going to it in ten years or so....and that will probably drop the price. just my luck.

[Thelt]

As long as you do not find out that stuff causes cancer or something then you should be good.

[Village Idiot]

As long as you do not find out that stuff causes cancer or something then you should be good.icynene.com

try this site mr. t

[Village Idiot]

ok, the hardwood floor has been repaired, gaps tied in, old hvac holes refloored, everything. i even did an oak inlay where the fireplace used to be. my new Hitachi compound miter saw is the shit! the dry wall was delivered on friday. the electrical has been completed (to a point). recepticles and switches will be installed after the drywall. the insulation passed inspection today. hopefully the drywall will go up this week and i can begin to sand the hardwood floors by next weekend. i priced a drum sander, an edger along with sanding belts/pads, comes to around $300. thats for 3 day rental that i can roll into 7 days for the same fee. we paid another months rent that will get us through to the end of april.....living on the edge here. still awaiting the new septic system and i called the pool guy today to talk about the cost for refurbishing that money pit. my right elbow hurts badly.

[Redsnapper]

ok, the hardwood floor has been repaired, gaps tied in, old hvac holes refloored, everything. i even did an oak inlay where the fireplace used to be. my new Hitachi compound miter saw is the shit! the dry wall was delivered on friday. the electrical has been completed (to a point). recepticles and switches will be installed after the drywall. the insulation passed inspection today. hopefully the drywall will go up this week and i can begin to sand the hardwood floors by next weekend. i priced a drum sander, an edger along with sanding belts/pads, comes to around $300. thats for 3 day rental that i can roll into 7 days for the same fee. we paid another months rent that will get us through to the end of april.....living on the edge here. still awaiting the new septic system and i called the pool guy today to talk about the cost for refurbishing that money pit. my right elbow hurts badly.

Inlay, sounds cool, did you just cut out the shape with your circular saw, set to the right depth, and drop it in? Factor in stain, and whatever you are paying to redo the floors yourself is a f*cking steal! Is that a "tray" ceiling in those pics?

[Village Idiot]

Inlay, sounds cool, did you just cut out the shape with your circular saw, set to the right depth, and drop it in? Factor in stain, and whatever you are paying to redo the floors yourself is a f*cking steal! Is that a "tray" ceiling in those pics?the original layout in front of the fireplace was brick framed by an oak perimeter. the brick paver tile was removed along with the removal of the chimney. my "inlay" was a simple one, oak floor boards that were laid perpendicular to the rest of the floor in that small area. i call it an inlay but maybe thats not the correct verbage. again, i employed my new Hitachi compound miter saw for this project, a must, for precision cuts. yes, that "tray" ceiling goes in the master bedroom and was specifically asked for after touring our contractors previous homes. rounded corners on the drywall is another feature we insisted on. he features that in his other work as well. cork flooring for the kitchen is very attractive. thats our idea though and ive found a website with some killer color variations and pattern layouts. im hooked.

[curly]

so did the insulation cost $8000? How much more is that compared to the pink stuff?

[Village Idiot]

so did the insulation cost $8000? How much more is that compared to the pink stuff?its about 40% to 50% more up front.

[Redsnapper]

its about 40% to 50% more up front.

Wow, looking at long term savings, but if you start a band, your neighbors won't hear you. :drummer:

[Village Idiot]

the drywall subs came in today and hung nearly the entire house. :cheers2:

but as we all know, the finishing phase will take more time. we shall see.

[Village Idiot]

the dry wall guys are done. they made a friggin mess. me and the wife will begin priming tomorrow and hope to finish up by sunday. then the finish carpentry and floor sanding - hopefully - will commence next week. my new septic system is slated for the week of the 16th. i still have some finish plumbing and electrical left. about 20 feet of flashing and new gutters. carpet, tile, cork flooring for the kitchen, kitchen cabinets, granite counter tops and lighting. i'm busting ass every day after work doing anything and everything just to keep moving forward. the pool guy doesnt seem to be interested but you never know about these guys. they seem to have their own agenda and you gotta keep chasing after them to get their business. something is fucked up about that. maybe there is too much work for them up here these days. they can pick and choose their jobs based on preference and profit. lotsa building around the lake norman area. imma keep trying.

[Village Idiot]

12 gallons of primer, 9 gallons of clean white on the ceilings, and in the closets (since noon Thursday) and now we are ready for some color to go on the walls. i ordered the glue-down cork flooring tile for the kitchen today, red mahogany with a marigold inset. the finish carpentry should get underway soon, i hope i can get finished painting first. we're busting our asses with this painting. i should save a bundle by doing it myself but it is taking its toll.

[Honeygirl]

It looks great VI - you've made amazing progress since I last checked in. Can't wait to get the updated pics!

[Village Idiot]

It looks great VI - you've made amazing progress since I last checked in. Can't wait to get the updated pics!thanks HG. we've begun to put some color on the walls. we (my wife :39: ) are big fans of reds, yellows and browns....did i say reds? i hope to have the interior painting done this weekend. then we'll get our bathroom tile started and some trim carpentry begun. after the interior paint cures sufficiently i'll sand and put a polyurethane coat on the hardwood floors. the /hvac guys were in today doing some finish work. things are coming together. the pool guy is scheduled to come in on Tuesday as well as the septic tank guy.

[Village Idiot]

PAINTING

DONE!

[chipshotx]

Perfect, I need a painter. Can you start Thursday?


You look like Brett Farverer

[chipshotx]

Fuckin' A. Does the insulation have to be shaved down before the drywall goes up?

That stuff would make doing any future wiring a real pain in the ass.

[Village Idiot]

Fuckin' A. Does the insulation have to be shaved down before the drywall goes up?

That stuff would make doing any future wiring a real pain in the ass.yes, the dude used a saws-all equiped with a long blade to shave it down even with the studs. since i re-wired the entire house, i hope i wont have to worry about future wiring woes but i see your point.

[chipshotx]

since i re-wired the entire house, i hope i wont have to worry about future wiring woes but i see your point.

good luck :lipsrsealed2:

[Village Idiot]

good luck :lipsrsealed2:thanks, so far - so good.

[Village Idiot]

the new septic system is in, all we need is for the plumber to tie us in to it. i put down the cement backer board in both bath rooms this week. i must have used over 400 screws and 5 gallons of thinset. we picked out our carpet today and purchased the tiles, thinset, grout and tools for the entire job except for ordering the tiles for the main bath. we also began cleaning out the pool, man its a friggin mess. we had an electrician do some re-wiring in the pump house, all systems go. i'll get a load of water next week to top the pool off and we'll begin shocking. we have a leak in the liner somewhere and my pool guy seems to have already identified the probable culprit. we shall see. imma be laying some tile next week so if you hear cussing off in the distance you'll know its me. hopefully the interior doors and trim carpentry will start to go in next week as well. my right arm still hurts.

oh yeah, the kitchen cabinets are in place so we'll be ready to meet with the granite people soon.

[Village Idiot]

the master bath has been tiled (thank you very much). i'll grout tomorrow. hopefully the white tile for the main bath will arrive soon and i can begin that job. the interior door hanging has begun. finished plumbing and electrical estimates have been given, check. we are awaiting final bank draft to accomodate the final finish work. pool shocking will begin on friday. May 31st is looking good to me! more pics to come soon.

[Village Idiot]

here ya go....first the drywall mexicans, then me and the wife slap on the primer and paint.

[Village Idiot]

septic tank and drain lines go in....

[Village Idiot]

please stay down

[chipshotx]

I hate tiling.

[JeykleHyde]

Tiling is ok until you get to the grouting part of it. :57:

[chipshotx]

I thought grouting was easy.

[Village Idiot]

grout haze is kinda scarey. you wonder if the tile will ever look like it did right outta the box again.

[Village Idiot]

trim caulking sucks ass

[Village Idiot]

we're headed down to Charlotte this morning to pick out our slab of granite at the Stone Connection. we kinda like the Giallo Platinum and got a good install price from our people up here. i got most of the trim caulking done so we can begin to prime and fill nail holes.......and clean up AGAIN! our tile for the other bathroom has arrived and i gotta lay that too, sometime. still waiting on the special order cork floor for the kitchen. lots to do.

[Village Idiot]

they made the counter top template this morning. the propane guy is installing my tank and line to the house as we speak. all caulking, nail hole filling and sanding, door frame priming has been completed. now its time to trim paint. the electrician is shooting for thursday to begin finishing out the recepticles and switches. the water in the pool is looking better. i feel like i've been drug behind a horse. :bonk:

[chipshotx]

when is the party?

[chipshotx]

when is the party?

well?

[Village Idiot]

well?i'm mired in trim painting hell right now. i cant think about a party at this point. a few more first downs and i'll be in position to see the end zone though.

[JeykleHyde]

At least post more pictures. :taz:

[Village Idiot]

busy weekend. trim painting, new cork flooring for the kitchen, granite master bath vanity top installed, cleaned out tools and work stations from the upper level in preparation for sanding the hardwood floors this week. on my way to rent floor sander and edger. the plan is to have the sanding completed and poly will go down saturday. meanwhile the finished electrical and plumbing should wrap up this week. granite kitchen counter tops to go in tomorrow morning. its monday and i'm tired.

[Village Idiot]

i rented an orbital floor sander and an edger yesterday. i had to take the orbital sander back this morning and swap it out for a drum sander. these floors are seriously old and have crowns and cups, old paint drips, uneven laps, you name it. but im the man for the job and i know what i want them to look like when im done. i've seen some really shitty jobs done with a drum sander but imma keep it moving and raise it up when i reach the wall. stay tuned.

[Village Idiot]

the drum sander works great! nobody warned me about the friggin' edger tho. that somebeach will make a man outta you.

[toro]

the drum sander works great! nobody warned me about the friggin' edger tho. that somebeach will make a man outta you.

LOL. You spin me round round baby right round. Hated that thing.

[Stargazer]

i'll get a load of water next week to top the pool off and we'll begin shocking.


We have considered a pool several times. The only thing that stops us is that we live in the country and don't want to strain our water pump filling the pool. We've checked with the local fire depts. No go.

Who would you call to get water delivered and is it expensive?

[Intimidator Coach]

Can you give a ballpark dollar amount for a project like this ?
will you be under budget or are you going way over your estimate?

i'm wanting to do a total remodel of mine also..i can do most of the work except the structure part..

[Village Idiot]

Can you give a ballpark dollar amount for a project like this ?
will you be under budget or are you going way over your estimate?

i'm wanting to do a total remodel of mine also..i can do most of the work except the structure part..we sold our previous home, purchased this home and land (for around 100K) and secured a re-fi plus to do the work as well and used profits from the sale of our previous home to finance. all told, we'll have around 180K or so for the total project, home and renovation/addition (approx. 1600 sq. ft. upper w/ full basement and 1.5 fenced acres w/pool). this is surprisingly within our origional estimate BUT we had to pay for a rental to live in while the work was being done on the house. what started out as a 6 month lease was extended to 8 months and is up on Thursday. also, we have thousands in sweat equity alone that allowed us to splurge on things like elaborate granite, cork flooring for the kitchen, spray-in foam insulation, new hybrid HVAC sytem, and appliances. this included 90% of the demo (drywall, electrical, plumbing, insulation, old HVAC unit and duct work, trim work and old sub floor) we also saved by repairing/sanding/finishing the hardwood floor, rough wiring, phone, tv, laying tile, kitchen cabinets and more painting than you can imagine. this alone saved us thousands. aquiring sub-contractors that will show up when they say they will and do what they say they are gonna do is the big thing i guess. i know some good ones in this area now and some others that i would'nt recomend as well. my general building contractor does good work and i am quite please with him.


i had to spring for a new well pump today as the old one burnt up yesterday.

[Village Idiot]

We have considered a pool several times. The only thing that stops us is that we live in the country and don't want to strain our water pump filling the pool. We've checked with the local fire depts. No go.

Who would you call to get water delivered and is it expensive?it depends on where you live. working at a water treatment plant, i know some local guys around here who haul water regularly. now, with the drought, some municipalities have already enacted water restrictions, including the filling of pools. if you live near the Mooresville area send me a PM.

[Village Idiot]

the final electrical inspection was good. now we await the final building inspection to gain our certificate of occupancy. then we can move in. we are still painting, albeit interior doors, im about sick of this shit. we work at the house after we got off from our regular jobs, eat, then we pack at the rental in preparation for the final move. hopefully it will take place this friday, saturday and sunday. i relish the days when i can hit the gym after work and then enjoy a few cold beers while preparing an enjoyable dinner and some tv or maybe a swim.

[Stargazer]

it depends on where you live. working at a water treatment plant, i know some local guys around here who haul water regularly. now, with the drought, some municipalities have already enacted water restrictions, including the filling of pools. if you live near the Mooresville area send me a PM.

No, we're in Midland.

Thanks for the info though!

[Village Idiot]

the house passed the final, final, inspection this morning and is now approved for occupancy by this great county that we live in. we will immediately commence moving. packing at the rental here has begun, the breaking down of beds and such. i'll probly grab a u-haul in the morning for the big stuff. maybe i'll post some pics tonite if i get around to it. my home pc may be off line til the phone company hooks me up later on down the road at the new place.

AARRRGGHHHHH!

[HollyB]

Congratulations VI!

[Village Idiot]

we're all moved in but still have some stuff to do, closet organization(configuration in the master), toe molding throughout, subway tile around the tub/shower in the "red" bathroom, touch-up paint/caulk, that kinda stuff. imma go get me a john deer riding mower, maybe saturday. the pool is nice. still waiting on DirecTV and the phone company to get me the hook-up.

[QueenCityHillbilly]

Right on Villiage Idiot! When's the party? Oh, and what part of Mooreville are you in?

[Village Idiot]

Right on Villiage Idiot! When's the party? Oh, and what part of Mooreville are you in?a little south of town, about 1/2 mile down from the new Ginn racing shop and take a left on mackwood. so far we havent been annexed by the city but i see it happening eventually. id like to have the family come down on the 4th of july, and probably will, but the yard is still kinda not where i want it to be in terms of curb appeal but we're getting there. thanks for the good words man.

[Bondgirl]

That's great!

I work almost down the street from you.

[Village Idiot]

we had to fish a ground hog outta the pool yesterday. he wasnt dead but he was struggling to keep his head out of the water and wouldnt have made it much longer.

bondgirl, you work down near exit 33? lowes cho or the hospital maybe?

[Derbygal]

Post pictures! We want to see the finished product!

[Village Idiot]

Post pictures! We want to see the finished product!will do. the phone company is supposed to hook us up on tuesday then i'll post some from my home pc that night or wednesday (if everything works like it should)

[Bondgirl]

we had to fish a ground hog outta the pool yesterday. he wasnt dead but he was struggling to keep his head out of the water and wouldnt have made it much longer.

bondgirl, you work down near exit 33? lowes cho or the hospital maybe?

ah poor ground hog, glad you guys saved him.

off timber rd

nope. i work for a cunstruction company of sorts.

[Village Idiot]

off timber rdcool

[Village Idiot]

we finnaly got our dsl hook-up for our home pc yesterday afternoon....now the phone doesnt work. lol. i hope to download some pics for you guys in the next day or so. the last few days we have been installing shelving for the entire house, closets, linen closets and the new pantry. we're almost finished. i've spent close to $500 on the shelving and hardware. i also bought 225' of 3/4 round toe molding. i opted for the white pvc which was about $25 more than the wooden molding but its alot straighter and maybe i wont have to paint except for touch-up/nails.....hopefully. the wife hung some curtains and is keeping the pool clean for us. it still doesnt feel like "home" yet but i guess it will take some time. i dont want to think about all the landscaping and fence repair yet to do.

[Derbygal]

i dont want to think about all the landscaping and fence repair yet to do.Ohmigawd...this would be the farthest thing from my mind at this point after the past 8 months of work you've done!

Okay, I can see the fence repair because of the pool, but the landscaping would wait until next spring!

Can't wait to see the pics!

[Village Idiot]

sorry for the delay on the pics. im still working daily on small projects here at the house. here, i am installing the cork tiles in the kitchen. 9"x9" Marigold squares sourrounded by 9"x18" Red Mahogany rectangles. we love it.

[Village Idiot]

some granite, first in the master bath. its your generic Santa Cecilia. looks good with the Brown Suede paint scheme, oak vanity and Roman Gold floor tile.

next is the kitchen granite, Giallo Platinum, and its friggin awesome!

[Village Idiot]

this is part of the project i hope i never have to go through again but its one of my most rewarding, kinda like the time i graduated from Marine Corps Boot Camp.

[Village Idiot]

more.....

[Village Idiot]

final floor shots and then............moving day, on our 23rd wedding anniversary.....good thing my son was home from college to lend a hand. thats about it for now. stay tuned.

[JeykleHyde]

You've done an amazing job and have much to be proud of.:daisy:

[Village Idiot]

You've done an amazing job and have much to be proud of.:daisy:thank you

never in our wildest dreams did we ever imagine that we would be taking on a project such as this but life has a way of thrusting you into situations that test your mettle. i honestly beleive they were about to mark my own private parking spot at Lowes. i hope to post more pics soon. i'm doing a subway tile in the red bathroom and some new furniture will arrive for the living room in the weeks to come, maybe a flat screen to replace the behemoth 57" projection tv in that modest area of the house.

[Bondgirl]

Everything looks great!!!!!!!! Send more pics when you can.

[Derbygal]

I knew the end result of all that hard work would be something spectacular, but WOW...it's absolutely incredible!

Love the colors, the light fixtures, the granite, and the floors...OMG the floors! I want that tile in your master bath for my entry - I have that same brown suede in my hall & part of my great-room, that's just awesome! Those hardwoods will be something that your entire family will love for many years to come, past & present melded together, absolutely beautiful!

Kudos you and you family on this HUGE accomplishment, seriously, so many people say they could do it, but how many really do? What a great 23rd anniversary present to each other!

[Village Idiot]

I knew the end result of all that hard work would be something spectacular, but WOW...it's absolutely incredible!

Love the colors, the light fixtures, the granite, and the floors...OMG the floors! I want that tile in your master bath for my entry - I have that same brown suede in my hall & part of my great-room, that's just awesome! Those hardwoods will be something that your entire family will love for many years to come, past & present melded together, absolutely beautiful!

Kudos you and you family on this HUGE accomplishment, seriously, so many people say they could do it, but how many really do? What a great 23rd anniversary present to each other!Lowe's carries the Roman Gold floor tile along with the decorative inlay strips. there are other slight color variations along the gold theme. i think we chose the gray grout but i need to check the bag for the exact color. my wife made most of the decisions on the paint color but i have to admit i wasnt all that hip on things like the burnt orange living room or the red ceiling in the main bath but its only paint. after everything came together i think she did well. i hope that she has gotten her HGTV fix for this decade, i know i have! LOL.......

[wossa]

looks great RD. It doesn't even look like the same house I walked through. I guess it isn't with all the hours you put into it.

How's the basement shaping up or will that be Project2008?

[Village Idiot]

looks great RD. It doesn't even look like the same house I walked through. I guess it isn't with all the hours you put into it.

How's the basement shaping up or will that be Project2008?we'll organize and paint but it will remain a workshop/laundry/storage area. i've already done alot of cleaning and organizing lately.

yall take a day and come visit. bring your swim trunks, towels and the little ones if you want. i'll even feed you too.

[Village Idiot]

i tiled all weekend, from 8-5 on saturday (saturday before last too) and then from 8-3 yesterday. 3"x6" white subway tile in one bath, approx. 5' high, all the way around the tub/shower. i counted 20 courses. all told it took two saturdays and a sunday, now for the grout.

[gridfaniker]

congratulations!

[Village Idiot]

lol

[QueenCityHillbilly]

when is the party?

[Village Idiot]

there probably wont be a "party" but you're welcome any time qc. hell, any of yall are. just send me a bm.


married man, married man
drives around in a mini van
quart of milk, loaf of bread
hangin' on, by a thread
hey there, here comes the married man

gotta big gas grill
buy's his clothes at the gap
and he's just....about
had enough of this crap

:disappointed:

[Village Idiot]

while im at it, i grouted the subway tile in the red bath this afternoon. im not real pleased with my efforts. for one, my grout was too dry and the first section of my wall looks kinda rough. i wet my grout down and it spread alot better after that, a whole lot better. plus, i might have waited a little too long to sponge my first wall down. doing subway tile can be a bitch, especially when you're setting 3"x6" individual tiles over a large square footage. in my case, 50 sq. ft. grouting is just as tough, tedious, cuss-worthy. i'll let it set for a few weeks before sealing and we'll take it from there. not all projects turn out as planned. cold beer will fill the void.

[plutosgirl]

I've not posted much in here, but I've been keeping an eye on your progress Tank.


:cheer:

Very Very nice. I like your wife's colors, and I like that you listened to her, nice going.

Your house is beautiful, I love the hardwoods and the tile work. Make sure your daughter and wife don't wear heels while they're pissed off in there. :biggrin:

[Village Idiot]

I've not posted much in here, but I've been keeping an eye on your progress Tank.


:cheer:

Very Very nice. I like your wife's colors, and I like that you listened to her, nice going.

Your house is beautiful, I love the hardwoods and the tile work. Make sure your daughter and wife don't wear heels while they're pissed off in there. :biggrin:thanks plu. your approval means alot.


wimmen are always bossing me around

[The_professor]

looks great dude, i'll give 105k for it...

[Village Idiot]

sold!

[Village Idiot]

next up..........

i'll be building a completely new pool deck (30' X 12'), after tearing down the old one sometime this late fall/early winter. this one will have a tin roof that covers the entire structure. preliminary costs of materials alone are around $1500. labor is on me. imma save some of the old deck for a whip ass work bench that will go in the basement. i'll also be building a 14' X 14' deck off the back of the house with steps off each end. i have about an acre of yard/woods out behind the house and its a good place to chill. that one wont cost as much tho. some privacy fencing and minor landscaping is also needed but i'll be damned if im gonna plant anything right now.

[QueenCityHillbilly]

imma save some of the old deck for a whip ass work bench that will go in the basement.Fuck yeah!

[marlinfan1]

next up..........

i'll be building a completely new pool deck (30' X 12'), after tearing down the old one sometime this late fall/early winter. this one will have a tin roof that covers the entire structure. preliminary costs of materials alone are around $1500. labor is on me. imma save some of the old deck for a whip ass work bench that will go in the basement. i'll also be building a 14' X 14' deck off the back of the house with steps off each end. i have about an acre of yard/woods out behind the house and its a good place to chill. that one wont cost as much tho. some privacy fencing and minor landscaping is also needed but i'll be damned if im gonna plant anything right now.....out of concrete. Assuming your pool is INGROUND. No offense idiot, but if you have that chance to get rid of the wood all together, I hope you'll check into it.

[Village Idiot]

the lot drops off somewhat on that particular end of the pool. concrete wouldnt be an option. i do have a sizable concrete apron on two sides of the pool and a 4' concrete apron on the other two sides. the existing deck has been there about 20 years but i will tear it down and build my own. yes the pool is inground. i wish the lay of the land was flatter and i do agree that concrete is the best option but i dont have much choice. you have given me an idea though. maybe i could swap ends with my awning idea and cover the existing, larger apron at the other end of the pool instead of building a new, wooden deck (and spending all that money). thanks

my wife will have the final say

[The_professor]

a pool?


you must be a glutton for pulishment.

[Village Idiot]

HOF!

[Village Idiot]

im building a 15' x 14' deck off the back of the house, then a big-assed privacy fence to screen off the pool area, then a new 30' x 12' cabana type thing off the back of the pool. the deck is almost done. pics to come.

bitches

[hasbeen99]

left out about 8am as i had veterans day off from work. located the water line where it enters the basement and uncovered it for the footing guys. also located the line from the propane tank. finished uncovering the rest of the septic tank. this required an axe to chop the friggin leg-sized roots that had grown over the top of the fourth and final lid. that took a while and kicked my ass. next came the removal of the cracked lid, #3. it was broken and sagging down enough for us to be able to fish a copper tube around it and attach a come-a-long cable, then pull it through. after that we backed up the tractor with the draw bar affixed to the lifting arms and then commenced to lift the broken lid from the septic tank with the come-a-long......thats when the problems began. it would'nt budge for shit. on to plan B. we hooked a chain to the come-a-long cable and fished it around the lid and hooked it directly to the draw bar to let the hydraulics do the work. more problems. while lifting the cracked lide, we cracked another lid and pulled several cinder bolcks from inside the baffle wall of the septic tank loose and they fell into the tank. it appears that when we "fished" our copper tube around the lid, we managed to loop it through a cinder block on the baffle wall directly below the cracked lid, and hidden from our view. FUCK!!!!!!!! after all was said and done, i had to roll the broken lids out onto the ground by hand. we'll repair the damaged baffle wall and form up and pour a new lid complete with rebar fortification, lifting handle and sewer clean-out for easy access in the future. after lunch it was time to haul off some old junk and furniture left behind by the previous owner, 3 pick up truck loads worth. FUCK AGAIN! i did some more tinkering with moulding removal and other small chores before the need for beverages got the best of me and here i am.

forgot to mention that my water hauler guy came by and topped off the pool. he said the liner looked to be in good shape. its only about 2+ years old. with some heavy duty cleaning and shocking. it'll be good to go til next summer arrives.

That was the DIY day from hell right there. Wow. :sadbanana:

[hasbeen99]

VI, my hat is definitely off to you. That was beyond a butt load of work for a project you really weren't sold on to begin with, but you did it anyway for your family. That is friggin' awesome. From the pics, it looks like you did fantastic work, and you should be very, very proud. :clapclap:

[Village Idiot]

VI, my hat is definitely off to you. That was beyond a butt load of work for a project you really weren't sold on to begin with, but you did it anyway for your family. That is friggin' awesome. From the pics, it looks like you did fantastic work, and you should be very, very proud. :clapclap:thanks hb, your opinion means alot to me.

progress has been slower this week because of some rain and another factor i did not account for in the beginning. i had planned on two sets of steps for the new deck. one to the front and the other off the back, both landing on existing sidewalks. the one off the back has a total rise of about 5.8', meaning the total run is around 8.5'.......thus, missing the existing sidewalk there. so i had to break out the sledge hammer and commence sidewalk demolition 101 for diy morons. then square up a location for a new landing pad for the steps, form it, dig it out to the proper depth. i'll pour the concrete after work tomorrow and give it about a week to set up before building the new stairway. lucky me. the deck has been built all except for the stairs and rails. :rolleyes5:

[wossa]

I'm going swimming in that pool before the end of summer 2008


































































if I can remember how to get there:auto:

[49erpi]

next up..........

i'll be building a completely new pool deck (30' X 12'), after tearing down the old one sometime this late fall/early winter. this one will have a tin roof that covers the entire structure. preliminary costs of materials alone are around $1500. labor is on me. imma save some of the old deck for a whip ass work bench that will go in the basement. i'll also be building a 14' X 14' deck off the back of the house with steps off each end. i have about an acre of yard/woods out behind the house and its a good place to chill. that one wont cost as much tho. some privacy fencing and minor landscaping is also needed but i'll be damned if im gonna plant anything right now.

What kind of pool?

[Village Idiot]

What kind of pool?18' x 36' inground. its really nice.

[49erpi]

18' x 36' inground. its really nice.

Did you go gunite, lined or fiberglass. Just curious as I put one in last year.

18X36 is a lot of pool to clean.

[Village Idiot]

Did you go gunite, lined or fiberglass. Just curious as I put one in last year.

18X36 is a lot of pool to clean.it has a vinyl liner. the pool is around 20 years old but the liner was replaced 3 years ago. we are gonna replace the old filter sand with Zeobrite. we ordered some this winter and hope it is more efficient than the "ordinary" sand. you're right about all the work but we love spending time outdoors anyways. its all good.

[49erpi]

it has a vinyl liner. the pool is around 20 years old but the liner was replaced 3 years ago. we are gonna replace the old filter sand with Zeobrite. we ordered some this winter and hope it is more efficient than the "ordinary" sand. you're right about all the work but we love spending time outdoors anyways. its all good.

I just put in a lined pool last winter and it was worth every penny. We were in it every day last summer and a lot of nights. Do yourself a favor and get an automatic cleaner that swims arount the bottom. They work great and will save you a lot of time. I just leave mine in there most of the time and the pool is always spotless. Then you just have to brush it once a week or so.

The good thing about lined pools is that if there is a problem the liner is not too expensive to replace and the new liners last a long time. We were going to have a gunite pool built but were advised against it and I'm glad we didn't.

I would be interested to hear how that zeobright works.

[Village Idiot]

Do yourself a favor and get an automatic cleaner that swims arount the bottom. They work great and will save you a lot of time. I just leave mine in there most of the time and the pool is always spotless. Then you just have to brush it once a week or so.

I would be interested to hear how that zeobright works.i keep saying im gonna get one of those things. i may just have to go ahead and do it.

stay tuned on the Zeobrite.

[Village Idiot]

i poured the new stairway pad yesterday morning. i got out there at 7:30 and it took about 2 hours to finish the pour. thats with me mixing Quickcrete in my wheel barrow, 2 bags at a time, 20 bags total...then skreed, hand float, egde, hand trowel and finally a light broom finish around 3:00. i dont know if i want to mix my own mud anymore unless i rent a mixer or just order it from the concrete place. it was hard work but i am surprised how good it turned out.

i built the steps for the lower, front side of the deck. my first attempt at step stringer building 101 for morons resulted in another trip back to Lowes to buy another 2x12. i got it right the next go 'round. i bought a stringer jig for my framing square, neat as hell. thats shit is pretty cool once you get the hang of it. i'll start some hand rail post cuts when i get home from work on Monday.

[49erpi]

i keep saying im gonna get one of those things. i may just have to go ahead and do it.


It's not something you want to go cheap with. The cheaper ones don't work great and break easy. I ended up with the Polaris 360 (I think) and it is really good but they are pricey.

I strongly recommend following all the set-up instructions exactly because none of them work right if they are not set up just right for your pool.

[Village Idiot]

It's not something you want to go cheap with. The cheaper ones don't work great and break easy. I ended up with the Polaris 360 (I think) and it is really good but they are pricey.

I strongly recommend following all the set-up instructions exactly because none of them work right if they are not set up just right for your pool.thanks for the good advice man. i'll check into it.

[LarryD]

damn. congratulations on all this stuff. i just poked through this thread for the first time.

[Village Idiot]

damn. congratulations on all this stuff. i just poked through this thread for the first time.thanks boss