One more revision for the bathrooms. I changed the stool placement to make better use of the space.
Revisions Continue
Month: July 2017
Sabotoged Joists
We had installed new joists in the bathroom ceiling/floor using a level but they didn’t turn out level! We discovered we needed to do work in the basement! Plumbing had cut through one joists leaving it to sag another joists was splitting and weak. Before we could do the repairs, Steven had to remove large sewer pipes and electrical wiring. He then had to do rewiring so we would still have some electricity. While he did that I cleaned and organized. Steven also went through supplies stored in the basement into plumbing and electrical. I went through our lights and chose glass globes for the five fans we will install.
We also needed to add joist hangers at one weak spot and install a 4 x 4 to reinforce another.
Days off turn into Shopping Days
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.
We went to Menards and rented a truck – took 3 hours.
Goodbye Sewer Pipes
Steven spent a lot of time removing old sewer pipes. I wish I had taken a picture of the maze of pipes before he removed them! This is what is left.
Taming the heat
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.
Raising a clawfoot bathtub through a ceiling
The kitchen joists are finished so on to the bathroom. We removed two 2×6 joists to make a hole in the bathroom floor/ceiling. Large enough to use the hoist to raise our antique claw foot bathtub. It is on a 4 wheel platform so we can wheel it around until we are ready to install it. We also lowered one radiator to use in the kitchen and raised 3 radiators to use in the two bathrooms and hall. Our plumbing contractor stopped to answer a few questions. He’ll come again after we get the new 2×8 joists in the bathroom floor. It has been very hot (90) so I installed blinds over the south and west windows.
Floral Beautification
We decided to give the house a more lived in look by adding 4 hanging baskets to the entrances. I also repainted the trim around the bay window with the lighter trim color.
Joisting with Joists
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.
