I popped some 1970’s paneling off this wall thinking I would run a phone wire and electrical behind and sheet rock over it. Guess not - you can see where the original plaster and lathe was, and there is some on the other side. I’m beginning to suspect that every doorway in the house is flanked by “studs” like this.
A bit of decay by the entry. We’ve had plywood over the floorboards here for years. They notched the floor joists for the heating duct, and the beetles were here years ago. Sistered in some supports with customized hangers and ledger bolts.
Note the years of wear, and the worn repair. I went right over all of this. Those narrow floorboards are a sign of an earlier replacement, so I lost no sleep in covering them.
We believe the red/pinkish color is original 1798 vintage. There are faint remnants of stenciling showing along the top and around the doorways. The patching was before we moved here, as was the wallpaper that had covered it.
Wife decided to replace the storm door with a marketplace find Andersen with self storing screen. Of course the doorway exterior trim is nonstandard (too wide by 3/4”) and the sill was a mess. But making progress.
And people ask me why I won’t buy preexisting homes That’s a “money pit” (Tom hanks / Shelley Long) in the making .
We replaced shingle siding on the driveway side of the house in 2009, and have stained it twice since then. It gets full sun, and was in need of a touch up. The stain is peeling off easily using a brass bristle wire brush. Sticks to my sweaty arms. Finished prepping this side tonight.
In 1995 we bought a house built in 1903.. on top of that, we learned it had lost the second story in a tornado that hit Fargo ND in like 1956. we updated the hot water baseboard to forced air, added central air, window inserts (NEVER AGAIN) and a 60 amp 4-circuit fuse to a 100 amp 20-circuit box. I tip my hat to you sir for taking on this adventure.
In my younger days I did a major renovation to a 1912 house in Colorado (roof rafters, 400 cinder blocks into the foundation, all the electric and plumbing). We’ve been in this house 20 years and can finally afford to catch up on some much needed work.
Looks like you have something to do for the rest of your life. I found that sometimes the joists are so petrified that nails cannot be removed and driving nails cannot be done either. Screws , angle iron and lag bolts become your friend. Along with auger bits and a hole hawg. My wife and I bought an old house in 1989, The old part was built in 1825 and the new part in 1930. I have put an addition on it, upgraded the electric from 60 to 200 amps, replaced the roof, replaced the heating system, added central air, replaced the water heaters, replaced the well pump - twice, connected to public sewer, replumbed much of the pipes (all copper including waste pipes which are still original), added a sump pump, and other stuff like bathrooms and ripping out ceilings not to mention gallons and gallons of paint. I have bought so much paint from Sherwin Williams I always get a discount.
Great job Flamestead .. it’s an art form; fixing the old “making it work” and bringing it slowly into this century
The dog found some shade from the lift basket. In the background is another project underway. I’m insulating the shop, in part to manage condensation that rusts my tools. The shop was built in the late 70’s, I think, and was sided with T1-11. I don’t trust it to keep my wall insulation dry so I’m adding board and batten. It is on order from a small sawmill. The bigger lumber yards want to sell me packets of lumber, of varying length. No way I’m going to do that.
Had today off, and replaced some roof nails with the gasket missing on the shop roof. Made a jig to allow me to pull the nail. Added a spot of silicone on ones with a wallowed hole, and drove a 2” roofing screw back in place of the nail. Still more of this left to do, but I got quicker as I went. I think I’ve heard of repair screws (larger size thread, and larger gasket). The kid at the lumber yard was no help. Does anyone know if there is such a thing?
Lol, I've never known any different. This home(orig 1952) though has been quite the adventure! So many owners over the decades doing additions with wildly varying levels of quality. It's nuts! Next adventure (hopefully) is getting the interior of an early 1900's building suitable to live in.
