A Victorian Renovation Project
The Wood Boats Move Upstairs
We are storing the plastic boats on the trailer outside for now. Actually will probably always be that way, upside down with hatch covers and a tarp.
But the wood boats need to be inside and both need to be refurbished!
So, for now, out of the way and upstairs in the barn. But it was dramatic looking.
The Open Floor Plan!!
If you know me, then you know that I LOVE doors. So an open floor plan is a temporary situation. But we are way beyond what people that love open floor plans dream of!!
We have an open bathroom in our current state of destruction!!
From the toilet you can see into a bedroom on each side and into the stairwell. Needless to say, you choose carefully when to use it!!
So things are moving.
This week, the electrician started. And he has the house laid out with new boxes for outlets, switches and ceiling lights. Wire is pulled partially in the basement!! Not tied in yet but run. All directions, and a variety of colors!!
The bathroom demo is obviously fully underway. The toilet and sink remain usable at the moment, but I don’t think that will last long.
We wanted to get that project moving so that we could see what real options there are for a layout change. But it looks like not many. That space by the toilet and bath is huge but not truly accessible. There had been shelves and there probably will end up being a linen cabinet in the back of the space but it certainly isn’t ideal.
The Boiler is IN the House!
Not an easy feat. The new boiler is probably 1/3 the size of the one that they took apart and pulled out of the house!! But it was not easy getting it into the house.
Looks simple enough! But it took time, engineering and creativity to get it down safely.
Adam, from Alpine Plumbing led the effort, building a ramp (soon to be my new bike shop bench!) and the truck and a chain wench (?) to pull it into place.
Once in place they were able to reconfigure the set up to safely lower it down the ramp.
Great engineering and patience to get it down safely for everyone and in one piece.
Next step is to start the replumbing of the house from the new boiler to each radiator. That will get started in about a week. Meanwhile…. I need to get a few of the radiators cleaned and painted.
A couple are in desperate need of paint but several just need cleaning.
They are all too big to move out of the house, so with walls out, NOW is the time to get them done and ready for the next phase!!
Patience will be the key to this entire project!!
Heat System Rebuild
Moving in we knew that the heat system needed to be rebuilt. At some point it had been replumbed but the pipes were all running on the exterior of the walls. Since we are pulling the walls for the new electric, it made sense to upgrade the heat system as well and move all of that plumbing inside.
So this week it started.
First the boiler was broken down and removed!!
And next all of the radiators were drained and disconnected and the orange red and blue plastic pex lines were pulled!! BIG progress!!
So excited to have radiators again!! Love the look of them and the heat they provide. Cleaner heat than forced air for us. Forced air always seemed to cause breathing issues!! So hoping that this will be better.
Today the new plumbing starts going in for the heating system!! The new boiler is on order and will be delivered next week!! Progress is being made!!
The Fleet Arrived!!
Graduations, dentists and back to New Jersey!! Life keeps moving right along. We all celebrated Sadie’s graduation with her Master’s in Worcester!!
Ken returned to Rutland and Donna headed to Jersey!!
Great visits with friends, dentist appointments and a van load of stuff from storage!!
And the fleet!! Thanks to Katie for letting us stash the fleet at her house for a couple of weeks. All the boats made it back and are drying out!! Tons of rain on the ride back and the covers didn’t totally hold up!!
Looking forward to some paddling soon!! It looks like there are some great lakes not too far, for us to explore!!
Week #2: Walls are falling, new appliances….and more!!
We are wrapping up week #2 and heading to week #3.
Walls and ceilings are coming down all around us!! Prepping for the new heating system and electric. The plumbing for the radiators was run on the outside of the walls in red pex and looks terrible. So we have a new boiler on order and new plumbing getting started this week. There’s also plumbing for the bathroom which is getting a total makeover!!
Turns out the appliances that we thought we bought with the house, we didn’t actually buy — go figure!! When will the drama end?? We decided to let Rent-A-Center pick up the partially paid for appliances and buy WHITE appliances that have been on the list for years!! New frig, stove and washer and dryer — all arrived!! But oops!! Failed to order the parts needed to install. Why on earth do you have to buy the plug separate from the appliance??
Well, Ken got it done and we are madly doing laundry!! Donna was gone most of the week in Jersey. Brought back a van and trailer load from storage!! But everyday there is something we need that isn’t here!! It’s not just that we can’t find it, it’s just not here!!
The refrigerator is HUGE but IF we ever go shopping will be useful!!
We confirmed our electrician hire!! So most contractors are on board!!
The Structural Repair
We knew about the structural issue on the house and had the contractor look at it before we put in an offer. So it is not a surprise. But the damage is extensive.
Week #1 they started tackling it during a sunny day and got it covered up for the rain. The lack of gutters is the real contributor to the damage and ongoing damage. So thankful that it is covered up while we wait for sunnier days again!!
Obviously there is more to do. It is great to have this project underway.
Updates to come!! As we make progress!!
The Porch
Well that doesn’t look good!!
The post is literally half off the porch and not above the post below it and not in-line with the other post!!
Unexpected discovery we saw on Sunday. We pointed it out to Will, the contractor and he was concerned too.
When Ken bent down to look at the metal column holding up the porch he discovered he could put his finger into it — totally rusted out.
Will got to work on it first as it was a serious safety concern and he needed to replace a window in the bathroom and THAT porch roof was his access!
Incredible work done by Will to get it done and safe.
Monday: MOVE-In Day!!
Finally, we are moving in!!
For me, the day was filled with stress. Where to park the truck, would it fit in the driveway?? Would they allow us to park on the street and block the lane? Would it interfere with the school drop off. It was ALL in my head!! It went fine!!
Truck parked in front of the house. NO, it did not fit in the driveway.
Movers arrived at 9:30 and helped us unload.
Contractor arrived at 9:00 to start assessing the house.
Electrician that was scheduled called to say he couldn’t make it. The contractor reached out to people he knew and a new electrician came later in the day!!
Plumber didn’t show, didn’t call, didn’t return calls…. I joined the local Facebook group and asked for recommendations for a plumber and called the most referenced one and they are coming out tomorrow!!
Of course, everything is piled up and we know where NOTHING is!!
Sunday Day #3: Pumping Out
The good news — the water didn’t rise!!
Pump out day!! And a bit of biking!!
Once we checked the water level, Ken went out and bought a submersible pump. The basement has no sump pump or evidence of water intrusion. But everyone has said that the area had SEVEN days of intense rain so the water table level is high. And the house has NO gutters (stolen years ago). We are hoping gutters will solve the problem.
Ken got the pump rigged up with hoses, we actually brought with us and didn’t leave in storage!! And the pumping began.
Meanwhile, we jumped on our bikes and headed out to Bike Week!! What a great event to be here for. The opportunity to learn some bike roads/trails and meet local cyclists! Ideal way to move into a new community.
Road to the ride, just a mile or so away from the house!! Joined a group of about 10 or so riders and headed down the local trail to the park, where we got to see a parachuter working with their chute. We couldn’t exactly figure out what they were doing, but it was impressive.
Bike events all week to join in on!!
And of course, the bikes are back in the house!!
