Week 7: Getting So Close....

WEEK 7: Getting So Close....

The good news for this week of work is that we have walls... the bad news is they just aren't put up yet. All of the new material got delivered on Friday so Randy and his crew are set to start first thing Monday morning. YEAH!! They are scheduled to be done in a few days. SO take all of the mental pictures you can in your head because this will be the last time you get to see the house all torn up! This week things have really started to come together and you can start to actually see somewhat of a house again. We have started to be able to remove of the 'junk' laying around the house, like tools, boxes, things we need during the demo phase. I always say an organized home is a happy home.

 Stacks of 8' sheets

 Stacks of 12' sheets

I spent my time this week covering our hardwood floors with cardboard to keep them protected while the guys drywall. If any drywall mug gets dropped on the floors you have to go back and scrap them off with a non-sharp tool which is very time consuming.  I also did some plastic sheet covering over our built in bookshelves and fireplace. Dust is going to be everywhere in the house so we want it as empty and protected as possible. They say to switch out your air filters every couple weeks for a few months after it is done just to get it all cleaned out.

We had a few other deliveries this week, new toilet, vanity, some of the bathroom hardware, our kitchen flooring and our new appliances. I also got some quotes for having our HVAC/ducts cleaned out before we move in. We took off majority of the return grills when we removed wallpaper and the baseboards so they have been open collecting all of the mess over the past month.

Both our electrician and plumber were in and out this week getting in as much done before the drywall starts. Bernie continued with outlets, switches including dropping our cable lines because our TV provider was going to charge us $150/each for 4 of our TVs for fishing wires. Can you say rip off? We asked for Bernie's help here and he said no problem, easy thing to do. So I decided to watch him drop these lines and with 2 tools it took maybe a total of 30 minutes to get a line for the TV in the living room above the fireplace and 3 of the bedrooms. Apparently I need to get into the TV install business. Jeff finished up both bathrooms putting in new copper lines and values for all of the new hardware I picked out. Of course the shower heads I selected were a single hot/cold nozzle where the existing plumbing was set for 2 individual nozzles, one hot & one cold. So those had to be redone.... I just keep telling him add it to the bill. I do want to give a huge shout out to my hubby for installing the new toilet, all by himself I may add! We have been toilet free for one week and I am sure all of my new neighbors have enjoyed all of these guys doing some additional gardening in the back yard. I on the other hand the ladies would have to run into Target to use the bathroom, but I wasn't complaining too much because you cant not go into Target and not buy something.

My big story from this week is that I learned how to solder pipes. Oh yes  I did. With the help and instruction from Jeff I used the blow torch and solder to fix some existing pipes we had to rework. I also learned how to light of gas water heater. We had turned off the hot water during the demo and with gas heaters you have to put a torch to it to relight. The fire stays ignited until the entire thing is heated then shuts off and reheats when it is needed again. I didn't even know we had an gas water heater, you learn something new everyday.

 New pipes & plumbing for downstairs bath

 Me getting after it.

Hall Bath: This is where majority of the changes took place this week. The new floor was laid as well as the tile for the bathtub. The grout and trims still needs to be done but it already is a huge transformation. Matt with the help of his buddy Mike took down the lighted mirrored medicine cabinet which I plan to re use the mirrors for another DIY. They are in great shape and have nice beveled edges.

I decided to go with bead board in this bath, I have always love it and think it is something that will always stay in style. Clean, fresh and also another alternative to tile. I got the sheets at Lowes and they are being installed by bead board specialist, yes these do exist. I honestly didn't know it was such a tedious task to do, I figured you cut the pre-manufactured sheets, nailed them to the wall, add a top trim and you were on your way. Not the case at all. Of course with our plaster wall situation they will have to be glued on and set with the top trim then painted over.

 Before: Just in case you forgot the pink tile

 During: New floor & wall tiles going in

 During: New shower tiles with marble corner shelf

Master Bath: After we got the existing tile floor pulled up, it was in pretty bad shape so we have to redo and make it a level surface. This room is getting new drywall because I am just painting the walls in here. The room is small already and I didn't want to lose any more space by adding any wall treatments. The shower is well on its way too, all new tile with a custom window box to house shower products. The same marble corner shelves are going in here too except I had one place about a foot off the floor so I had a place to shave my legs, all the ladies can feel me on this one. Still working on the door and door jamb then will be ready for its grout.

 Before: Shower tiles & wallpaper

 During: New subway tiles going up

 

 

Things are really moving along and it is starting to get a little exhausting both mentally and physically but the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to shine. We keep telling ourselves it is so going to be worth it all... just a few more weeks. We are so very thankful to our family for all of their helping hands, taking us in as roommates, bringing us dinner and lunches, offering support and advice, you name it they are doing it and we cant say thank you enough!!

Big week for us and this house. All three of us cant wait.