Given the hectic nature of the past few days, I wanted to put up a quick post with a happy ending.
Yesterday morning our ceiling was leaking again. I was so frustrated that Laura and I talked seriously about cutting out a large portion of the ceiling and not repairing it for a few months simply to make sure no more problems would arise.
David the Plumber came over in the mid-afternoon to take a look. Not only did he talk us out of cutting out the ceiling, he fixed what turned out to be a different plumbing problem: an O-ring broke. After shaking my hand and saying that I'm an alright guy, I asked how much I owed him. His response? 'How much do you want to give me? Got $5? You can give me that.'
It was a nice, money saving ending to what was an otherwise stressful and money draining day.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Oooooo That Smell
Our basement smells like pee. Correction, our basement USED to smell like pee. Caveat, it's not actually pee that is causing the smell in our basement.
Beginning a few weeks ago Laura and I noticed a musty smell emanating from the window area of the basement bedroom. This is why we called in Wall to Wall construction and this is why renting out the basement has been delayed by a few weeks. The Wall Boys took one look inside the wall panels and determined that 1) water was seeping through the exterior wall into the house, and 2) this water was collecting in the dirt that resided between our drywall and exterior wall. I wish that I had taken pictures of the repair process because the amount of dirt in that wall was mindblowing. Either way, the Wall Boys cut out a section of drywall, cleaned out all of the dirt and debris, re-pointed the interior portion of the brick wall (underground exterior wall), coated the wall with sealant, and replaced the old section of drywall. The work was slighltly more expensive than planned (additional $200 to re-point), but at least the problem was resolved. Right?
Fast forward to last week when I noticed that the smell was lingering. For a mental image, picture that our drywall near that window was brought to you by the letter "L." They fixed up the longer portion, but the ever important base that makes the letter a capital went uncared for. I am still kicking myself for not having them clean out the entire thing but there's no use crying over spilled milk. We were lucky and have a panel in that wall to afford easy access and a handy neighbor willing to lend us his Shop-Vac. So it was with complete disregard for our health that Laura and I took to sucking out that wall until it would suck no more.
The results? I'm fairly certain that at one point in time this section of the wall was a rats nest. The rationale? Among many other things (including two old beer cans) we sucked up a plethora of bones, insulation pulled out from the wall and balled up into what one might call a 'nest', and...half of a rat carcass.
Who knows if this is the cause of the smell or if similar rat nests were trapped in other portions of the wall when they fixed up the basement. What we do know is that this section is now Mat and Laura tested and Mat and Laura approved, and that is what really matters. With such a mess having been stuck in this wall for such a long time, it's unclear how long it will take to air out. I'm remaining optimistic and will scope it out again in a few days once the floors have been refinished.
The moral of this story? Thank god there is no such thing as a zombie rat.
Beginning a few weeks ago Laura and I noticed a musty smell emanating from the window area of the basement bedroom. This is why we called in Wall to Wall construction and this is why renting out the basement has been delayed by a few weeks. The Wall Boys took one look inside the wall panels and determined that 1) water was seeping through the exterior wall into the house, and 2) this water was collecting in the dirt that resided between our drywall and exterior wall. I wish that I had taken pictures of the repair process because the amount of dirt in that wall was mindblowing. Either way, the Wall Boys cut out a section of drywall, cleaned out all of the dirt and debris, re-pointed the interior portion of the brick wall (underground exterior wall), coated the wall with sealant, and replaced the old section of drywall. The work was slighltly more expensive than planned (additional $200 to re-point), but at least the problem was resolved. Right?
Fast forward to last week when I noticed that the smell was lingering. For a mental image, picture that our drywall near that window was brought to you by the letter "L." They fixed up the longer portion, but the ever important base that makes the letter a capital went uncared for. I am still kicking myself for not having them clean out the entire thing but there's no use crying over spilled milk. We were lucky and have a panel in that wall to afford easy access and a handy neighbor willing to lend us his Shop-Vac. So it was with complete disregard for our health that Laura and I took to sucking out that wall until it would suck no more.
The results? I'm fairly certain that at one point in time this section of the wall was a rats nest. The rationale? Among many other things (including two old beer cans) we sucked up a plethora of bones, insulation pulled out from the wall and balled up into what one might call a 'nest', and...half of a rat carcass.
Who knows if this is the cause of the smell or if similar rat nests were trapped in other portions of the wall when they fixed up the basement. What we do know is that this section is now Mat and Laura tested and Mat and Laura approved, and that is what really matters. With such a mess having been stuck in this wall for such a long time, it's unclear how long it will take to air out. I'm remaining optimistic and will scope it out again in a few days once the floors have been refinished.
The moral of this story? Thank god there is no such thing as a zombie rat.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Flooring Update
The refinishers come today. I've pulled up some of the carpeting on the 2nd floor over the past few days and I really have no idea what to expect. Plywood seems to have been put down over part of the flooring and other sections have seriously beat up hardwood underneath. We should know more once all of the carpet is gone, but our estimate may skyrocket.
Laura and I received a third estimate for the work which will save us about $1300, so that's good. However, if we need to build all new stairs and replace a large portion of the floorboards, we'll need all the savings that we can handle.
I will take pictures and provide an update after all of the work has been completed.
Laura and I received a third estimate for the work which will save us about $1300, so that's good. However, if we need to build all new stairs and replace a large portion of the floorboards, we'll need all the savings that we can handle.
I will take pictures and provide an update after all of the work has been completed.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Where There Is Salvaged Goods, I'll Be There
I realize that sentence is not proper grammar.
I was looking through random pictures today and inadvertently stumbled across Community Forklift: http://communityforklift.com/index.cfm. At its foundation, this is a thrift store for household items. They have everything from nails selling at 50 cents a pound to entire doors and windows, cast iron sinks, etc. For those that know me, it is easy to understand why I'm so excited about this place.
I'm probably not their ideal shopper but who cares. So I like salvaged goods because I dislike paying people for anything other than food. That doesn't mean I can't go to this place with green intentions as well. I will wear a 'Save Our Farms' t-shirt just so there is no confusion. I tend to believe that you spend your money on the larger or less tangible things; friends, family, vacations, etc. In the case of homeownership, that would be restoring the floors, repairing leaks, fixing the foundation, etc. While our Crate and Barrel bookshelves are nice, I don't think Laura and I would like a house full of marked up commercial items. Cue Community Forklift.
Suffice it to say, Laura and I have big plans for this place. We've talked about building everything under the sun and now, with access to cheap lumber, we can turn those dreams into reality. Just remember that whenever you come and visit your bed, deck and roof may or may not have been made by us. Please plan and dress accordingly.
I was looking through random pictures today and inadvertently stumbled across Community Forklift: http://communityforklift.com/index.cfm. At its foundation, this is a thrift store for household items. They have everything from nails selling at 50 cents a pound to entire doors and windows, cast iron sinks, etc. For those that know me, it is easy to understand why I'm so excited about this place.
I'm probably not their ideal shopper but who cares. So I like salvaged goods because I dislike paying people for anything other than food. That doesn't mean I can't go to this place with green intentions as well. I will wear a 'Save Our Farms' t-shirt just so there is no confusion. I tend to believe that you spend your money on the larger or less tangible things; friends, family, vacations, etc. In the case of homeownership, that would be restoring the floors, repairing leaks, fixing the foundation, etc. While our Crate and Barrel bookshelves are nice, I don't think Laura and I would like a house full of marked up commercial items. Cue Community Forklift.
Suffice it to say, Laura and I have big plans for this place. We've talked about building everything under the sun and now, with access to cheap lumber, we can turn those dreams into reality. Just remember that whenever you come and visit your bed, deck and roof may or may not have been made by us. Please plan and dress accordingly.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Say Hello to Our Little Friends
Welcome the newest additions to the North Capitol household. While they are currently known as Sheba (triple-toned) and Cleo (black and white), Laura and I are undergoing a rigorous process to brainstorm and vet new names. Punky and Bruiser? Soup and Spoon? Pancake and Snorkel? Other inanimate objects? Who knows.
Both kittens were adopted from a stray litter found in our neighborhood and are great additions to the house.
To Refinish Or Not To Refinish...
that is our question. Refinishing the hardwood on the second level and main staircase is expensive. I don't mean buying organic versus corner store expensive, I mean eating bologna sandwiches for dinner expensive.
Laura and I will need to make a number of expensive decisions in the near future:
-- What sort of carpeting do we put down in the basement and who do we have install it (Home Depot, moderate contractor, someone more expensive but very trustworthy)?
-- What furniture do we need in the coming months? Do we attempt to furnish both the bedroom and the living room? Do we simply buy a bed rather than an entire bedroom set?
Our problem is the same as most people's, we only have so much money. In the past, I would have simply slept on an old futon, continued to have Laura's queen bed sit on the floor, or bought something cheap from IKEA. But, although this would help financially, it defeats the purpose of owning our house. We will never be exorbitant in what we buy, but it's time for us to buy some nice things that fit our tastes rather than filler or transitional furniture. This house should be a place that we love to live in. This house should reflect who we are. This house should grow as we grow.
So, with that in mind, refinishing the floors may make sense right now. 1) It will lay a foundation for how we will develop each of the rooms on the second floor, 2) we will be taking care of this BEFORE owning a lot of furniture (everything must be removed prior to refinishing), and, most importantly, 3) it will add to the love that we have for this house. Side story: Laura cleaned the carpeting on our stairs about two weeks ago. We have talked about how clean the stairs are at least once a day and take serious enjoyment out of walking up and down these stairs. In fact, we're so obsessed with these stairs that I'm faily certain the combination of a clean refinished floor and our love of wood would result in spontaneous combustion. Sometimes you just have to push the envelope.
I had two people come by the house this past Friday. The first was a flooring expert recommended to us by Tristan the Fellow Homeowner who recently refinished, and replaced, his hardwood floors. The rep showed up in a full suit and proceeded to tell me that 1) the floors could not be refinished, 2) it would cost $9000 to put in new hardwood floors on the second floor, and 3) he recommended recarpeting instead which he estimated would cost between $3500 and $5000. This visit crushed both Laura and I. About two hours later the general contractor came by to look at a repair we need to make in the basement. On a whim, I asked him to also look at the floors. He took the time to walk through the process of refinishing the floors, explain why the floors were in the shape they were in, and, ultimately, assured me that they could be saved.
Perhaps it's the simple relief that the floors can be refinished that has brought on this desire or perhaps it is the fact that we may or may not contract hepititis from our current carpeting. Whatever the reason, Laura and I are very close to making out first major decision in the household. Well, other than the one that we've already made (will follow in the next post)...
Laura and I will need to make a number of expensive decisions in the near future:
-- What sort of carpeting do we put down in the basement and who do we have install it (Home Depot, moderate contractor, someone more expensive but very trustworthy)?
-- What furniture do we need in the coming months? Do we attempt to furnish both the bedroom and the living room? Do we simply buy a bed rather than an entire bedroom set?
Our problem is the same as most people's, we only have so much money. In the past, I would have simply slept on an old futon, continued to have Laura's queen bed sit on the floor, or bought something cheap from IKEA. But, although this would help financially, it defeats the purpose of owning our house. We will never be exorbitant in what we buy, but it's time for us to buy some nice things that fit our tastes rather than filler or transitional furniture. This house should be a place that we love to live in. This house should reflect who we are. This house should grow as we grow.
So, with that in mind, refinishing the floors may make sense right now. 1) It will lay a foundation for how we will develop each of the rooms on the second floor, 2) we will be taking care of this BEFORE owning a lot of furniture (everything must be removed prior to refinishing), and, most importantly, 3) it will add to the love that we have for this house. Side story: Laura cleaned the carpeting on our stairs about two weeks ago. We have talked about how clean the stairs are at least once a day and take serious enjoyment out of walking up and down these stairs. In fact, we're so obsessed with these stairs that I'm faily certain the combination of a clean refinished floor and our love of wood would result in spontaneous combustion. Sometimes you just have to push the envelope.
I had two people come by the house this past Friday. The first was a flooring expert recommended to us by Tristan the Fellow Homeowner who recently refinished, and replaced, his hardwood floors. The rep showed up in a full suit and proceeded to tell me that 1) the floors could not be refinished, 2) it would cost $9000 to put in new hardwood floors on the second floor, and 3) he recommended recarpeting instead which he estimated would cost between $3500 and $5000. This visit crushed both Laura and I. About two hours later the general contractor came by to look at a repair we need to make in the basement. On a whim, I asked him to also look at the floors. He took the time to walk through the process of refinishing the floors, explain why the floors were in the shape they were in, and, ultimately, assured me that they could be saved.
Perhaps it's the simple relief that the floors can be refinished that has brought on this desire or perhaps it is the fact that we may or may not contract hepititis from our current carpeting. Whatever the reason, Laura and I are very close to making out first major decision in the household. Well, other than the one that we've already made (will follow in the next post)...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
What Happens in Vegas...
stays in Vegas. And by 'happens' I mean my money.
Laura and I took a trip out to Vegas this past week to celebrate a friend's 30th birthday. While fun, it definitely took a chunk out of my wallet.
Word of advice to anyone that has just bought a home: Don't go to Vegas. Lesson learned. I wonder if AC is a different story...
Laura and I took a trip out to Vegas this past week to celebrate a friend's 30th birthday. While fun, it definitely took a chunk out of my wallet.
Word of advice to anyone that has just bought a home: Don't go to Vegas. Lesson learned. I wonder if AC is a different story...
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