Bedrooms

Goodbye Chimney on Second Floor

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We had planned to keep the chimney and leave it exposed for an old world look. It posed space problems so we decided to remove it. After we had removed the bricks to the level of the ceiling, it started to lean and was very unstable. The mortar between the bricks was soft and the bricks came off easily. We took it to the floor and then threw the bricks out the bedroom window to the ground below. I tripped on the tarp in this process and landed on my knee and shoulder. It hurt so much I thought I might have broken something so off to Urgent Care! X-rays showed now break thankfully.

Chimney before removal
Top layer of chimney removed – slanting
Bricks from 2nd floor chimney
Pile of bricks

Days off turn into Shopping Days

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We found that we were both feeling drained and decided to take a break. We had found items that we wanted to take to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and loaded the car. When you donate you receive a slip for taxes and a coupon for 20% off. We found hardwood flooring for two bedrooms. We won’t use the reclaimed flooring Steven had that was full of nails! Save a lot of time and energy! We also found stone backsplash that I want to use at our own home, a shower base (34″ x 59″ with two seats) that we will put in the first floor bathroom, and two light fixtures. Plumbing was 50% off and Steven found many plumbing tube parts he can use. We saw a vanity but decided it wouldn’t fit. After we got home Steven suggested a place to use it and I agreed so the next day we went back and purchased it. It originally sold just under $1000 and we got it for $75. The granite is cracked but can be repaired. Steven found some pex tubing for plumbing. We also purchased some wood spindles for the stair railing.

Bath Vanity

We went to Menards and rented a truck – took 3 hours.

Taming the heat

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Bay Window in Dining Room

 

Faux Wood Blind on west window

It has been very hot lately – in the 90s and very hot on the second floor. We had some faux wood blinds that we had gotten free at the close of a garage sale. I installed 2 on the larger west windows and 2 mini blinds on the smaller south windows. I also installed a faux wood blind in the dining room.

Joisting with Joists

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The 2 x 6″ floors over the kitchen and bath were not very stable. They were also lower than the other floors on the second floor. We pulled up the subfloor and installed new 2 x 8 joists in the floor above the kitchen keeping the insulation between the joists. We still need to install the subflooring. Steven added an electrical box for the ceiling light in the kitchen.

New floor joists

 

New bedroom floor joists over kitchen. Open above bath

 

Open 2 x 6″ joists above bathroom

 

Second Floor Comes First

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The second floor is ready for electricity. We have an electrician to help us and many of the supplies. We had all the outlets but the code now is that they must be tamperproof so we can’t use any of them but we will be able to use the boxes that we got cheap. We went to the ReUse store and found some outlets.

Second Floor Third Bedroom and Hall

 

Second Bedroom space and original windows
Attic Vents between each joist

Day 10 Quieter day. We shopped

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We went to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Found electrical boxes, insulation, ridge vents and two vintage light fixtures. The amber will be for a ceiling fan – old but can’t identify it’s maker. The white fixture is Iris by Jeanneatte glass from the 1930’s.

Crew did a little detail work on second floor

Iris by Jeanneatte Glass
Iris by Jeanneatte Glass
Vintage for ceiling fan
Vintage for ceiling fan

New header in First floor bedroom

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When we raise the roof and replace it, the load bearing walls will change so we needed to add a header over the windows in the first floor bedroom.  We also removed the weights and will replace them with a metal device. We will then be able to add insulation in the cavity where the weights were originally. Steven used 2 x 12 boards simply because we had them.

I spent the day peeling off paint that had been put on top of the varnish.

First floor new header
First floor new header

Window removed to be repaired and raised

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We want to save the window to the north on the second floor.  It is old wavy glass and paneled glass.

Upper Bedroom - North
Upper Bedroom – North

There was a crack in the glass in one of the panels when we purchased the house. There is also a crack in one of the lower panels from someone throwing a rock or shooting a pellet.  We have a window we are removing from the bedroom on the first floor that also has wavy glass that we can use to do repairs. The wood sill has some water damage so we will use wood hardener,

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