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09/21/2005 01:14:48 PM · #1 |
Well I'm back after an absence that felt like years. Moved into the new house about 2 weeks ago and have been doing some major demolition since then. I have pictures but I still havenât managed to locate my USB cable to download from my camera, but they are on the way.
As an example of how gross this place was, on the first day I actually had to carry my dog through most of the rooms, as some of the floors were so dirty they had things growing on them. Also the previous owner (long story here) had left garbage and miscellaneous junk everywhere. It took a day just to empty the house of garbage with several people working on it. In the first week I filled a 20x6x5 garbage bin with half garbage left behind and the rest with all the carpeting, tiling, plywood, curtains etc.. that we ripped out.
Luckily for me, as hoped, there is hardwood in all rooms that was hidden under the filthiest mess I have ever seen. In order to save them though we had to begin the task of removing all the staples and nails from the floors that were left over from the carpet or the nailed down tiling that was in the bedrooms. It took me 6 hours alone to remove all the staples from the staircase. The last big task before cleaning began in earnest, was to demo the kitchen. Now that was fun, I have a new found respect for sledgehammers and crow bars.
The residents were heavy smokers so scrubbing off the nicotine stains has been very time consuming. I wonât even mention the condition of the bathroomâ¦. Luckily for me, I moved from a 3-room apartment to a 7-room house so I can live out of a couple of rooms while I clean and paint the others without tripping over my processions.
This has certainly been an experience both a fun and stressful one, not to mention expensive. I appreciate all the e-mails and comments Iâve received. Sorry I was so slow to reply, things were just a little bit crazy. Iâll post the pictures as soon as I can. They certainly arenât âartâ shots as I was so shocked at the condition of the house half the pictures are probably not even in focus.
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09/21/2005 01:29:57 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by BeingClever:
The last big task before cleaning began in earnest, was to demo the kitchen. Now that was fun, I have a new found respect for sledgehammers and crow bars.
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LOL that is my favorite part og remodeling!!! ;0) |
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09/21/2005 01:35:54 PM · #3 |
Just remember to use a base coat of Killz or some other stain blocker so that any nicotine left behind won't bleed through the new coats of paint!
(Learned the hard way.)
Good luck on getting everything done!
Sara |
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09/21/2005 01:52:38 PM · #4 |
| Ill second the Killz ( or other shellac based primer/ sealer ) reccomendation. It stinks but it works. |
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09/21/2005 02:18:28 PM · #5 |
| It's been my experience that the original Killz is more effective than Killz II, although Killz II doesn't have the stink. |
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09/21/2005 02:44:12 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by moswyn:
It's been my experience that the original Killz is more effective than Killz II, although Killz II doesn't have the stink. |
Agreed. I definitely prefer the original (oil-based) Killz. Just remember to open all available windows, turn on a fan, and use a mask. |
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09/22/2005 06:40:59 AM · #7 |
| Irony. Last night I went out and bought some Kilz (original) and then came home and set up the fans. Painting should commence tonight, unless some other immediate project pops up. |
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09/22/2005 07:04:57 AM · #8 |
You must have really wanted that house if it was in such pitiful shape. Did you guys know of the interior condition? Good luck with the reno. Should look very nice when you'll be done with it.
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09/22/2005 07:16:32 AM · #9 |
| Yep I knew how bad it was going to be.. to a degree. Didn't know he would leave behind the garbage as it was in the contract that all buildings would be broom swept clean. Ha! For the house itself I paid way below market value, also the area it's in is going to go way up with some new downtown construction projects that will be completed in about a year and the house is a beautiful place with a lot of great features, they just need to be recovered. I stand to make a significant profit if I sell in a couple of years. |
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09/22/2005 08:23:30 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by BeingClever:
Yep I knew how bad it was going to be.. to a degree. Didn't know he would leave behind the garbage as it was in the contract that all buildings would be broom swept clean. Ha! For the house itself I paid way below market value, also the area it's in is going to go way up with some new downtown construction projects that will be completed in about a year and the house is a beautiful place with a lot of great features, they just need to be recovered. I stand to make a significant profit if I sell in a couple of years. |
Sweet. Hope everything works out.
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09/22/2005 08:37:37 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by BeingClever:
Yep I knew how bad it was going to be.. to a degree. Didn't know he would leave behind the garbage as it was in the contract that all buildings would be broom swept clean. Ha! For the house itself I paid way below market value, also the area it's in is going to go way up with some new downtown construction projects that will be completed in about a year and the house is a beautiful place with a lot of great features, they just need to be recovered. I stand to make a significant profit if I sell in a couple of years. |
I guess offering my services is a little late. PM me if you need a hand and I'll see where I'm at. I also have a crew available for work if you wanted to go that route.
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09/23/2005 06:30:14 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by notonline:
I guess offering my services is a little late. PM me if you need a hand and I'll see where I'm at. I also have a crew available for work if you wanted to go that route. |
Sure offer when the hard stuff is mostly done! *wink* For the most part I was able to do everything myself with the help of different family members and friends. The hardest part was gutting the kitchen (mostly because at that point I had been going hardcore for 2 weeks and my arms were falling off) Luckily I have a friend that is a construction maven, not to mention strong as an ox, so he basically gutted the kitchen for me. Since I canât afford a new kitchen at the moment, all that is left is cleaning, painting and easy stuff like that. Thanks for the offer though!! Iâll send you an invite when I have my housewarming, which will be shortly after I can afford a new kitchen! =) |
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