Is " Demolition" a judgemental term?

27Oct13
We have acquired a new Transfer Station Permit. This, of course, used to just be a Dump Sticker, but times change.

This will come in quite handy during our current deconstruction phase.  The story so far...

Bathroom demolition in the addition has begun.  Entire room to be gutted and redesigned; much water damage to shower and adjacent areas.

We have also begun exposing original wide wall paneling and plaster walls that were covered possibly in the early 1950s by Homosote wallboard, a cardboardish material reluctant to be displaced.

Left foto above shows front parlor, south after ceiling removed.  Right foto is same shot after Homosote was removed. Yes, there was an original door under the wallboard. It was visible from the outside.  This room abuts the keeping room and the dividing wall will likely be removed to create a dining room sharing the space of these two rooms.  Below, shot from keeping room to parlor showing current wall.  Smallish opening with table lamp may have been a cabinet for the parlor, or it could have been planned and abandoned during original construction. But this is the wall we plan to remove.

In other news, Judy exposed a section of the keeping room wall that had a chestnut panel measuring 26" at its smallest width and also removed the wallboard covering the stone and clay chimney in that room.  

Coming attractions, dismantling of the kitchen addition to include removal of walls and cabinets covering stone chimney.  Below is an image found on the internet which is very close to what we have.  Bedroom nearest kitchen is a powder room also scheduled to be reconfigured. 

Stay tuned...

HV Heat?

Anybody out there have first-hand experience with a high-velocity heating system?  Any thoughts appreciated. Thx.  

Holy cathedral, Batman!!

13Oct13
               Ok, in a nutshell, our ceilings are gone on the first floor.  This was done over this past Thursday and Friday.  It may make only a slight difference in usable or perceived height but it opens up the wonders of construction. A variety of posts and beams were used. Some are obviously hand hewn, while some are water sawn, meaning they were cut at a water-powered sawmill.  In any case, here are a few pix:

These three shoes the beginning of the removal. The visible wire mesh hanging down appears to be the results of an updating likely in the 1930s when a second plaster ceiling was added to the original one. 

Here are some shots after removal. Note stone chimney exposed in kitchen and potential for a true cathedral experience.

Let the wild rumpus start...

10Oct13
             Who'll stop the rain?  Who cares!  Due to imminent foul weather our contractor will be looking for some inside work.  Commence removal of ceilings on first floor.  This is being done to both access the front girt and increase the headroom. Two front rooms are original plaster, rear keeping room and kitchen addition have beaver board set between the joists.  If we are lucky we will be able to cathedral the kitchen.  Current kitchen area:

Galley kitchen is actually to the right and opposite the fireplace, currently with only old dishwasher and sink.  Will we move it all to the keeping room?  

By the way, here are a couple of pix taken after we ripped up the addition carpeting and started to  disassemble the bookcases:                            Hmmmmmmm, not posting, stay tuned...      

A meeting...

10/6/13
6Oct13
              Yesterday was an important day. We had a lengthy meeting with the person who will be doing most of the critical restoration.  Of prime concern is a structural evaluation as it is obvious that there are sags and bulges in places where there shouldn't be--sort of what appears in aged humans.  It likely that there is some kind of failure in the upper story front girt--the transverse beam that carries much of the roof load.  There is evidence of long-term water damage to the two dormers including the window frames.  (Note to self, call Tom Hanks and Shelley Long for tips.)
             In addition,  most(all) of the windows will need to be replaced due to similar damage to the frames and many broken or missing panes.  There is some original glass left which we would like to find a use for.  The  next step will involve large gasps when we see the cost details.
               So after the meeting we went to a recommended breakfast place to have a dialogue with each other about the possibilities as well as with some spinach quiche and pastrami eggs Benedict.  Split decision on whether there should be a restaurant called Arnold's that only serves varieties of eggs Benedict with sides.
               Here are some pictures about the rest of the day.  Calling these "Before" pix. These are shots of the bed/bath area in the addition.  This was likely built in the 70s for the owner to alleviate the problem of stairs.  It is connected to the old structure by a breezeway where there is a laundry area and where there will be a wine bar in the future. Decent sized bedroom with bookcases and two separate outside doors.  Handicapped style bath with large shower.  Both areas fully carpeted--a huge mistake for the bath, but was probably a safety concern. There is long term water damage around the shower, evening extending to a adjacent closet.  So we spent the rest of the day removing the carpeting and disassembling the bookcases which will be reused in the area.