Mastodawn

Roof Update: wall now cleared in the main. We did find a lot of sand and rubble behind the lathe. It is likely that this was causing our damp problems - acting as a wick between the stone wall and the lathe and plaster interior. #HouseRestoration #StormAmy #Damp

austic23 Nov 3, 2024

I've made some progress improving the building envelope by closing off openings to the outside. I'll eventually be using an insulation system to try to bring the house into 21st century energy efficiency range. Water management in buildings has been a topic I've sought a lot of education on. I am worried I am going to do it wrong.

#diy #HouseRestoration #homerenovation #centuryhomes #buildingScience #bldgWaterManagement #insulation

austic23 Nov 3, 2024

I've also gotten about 2/3 of the downstairs windows reframed with proper headers and good connections to existing studs. I want to try and knock out another large window this weekend, but the weather has not been cooperating to allow me to go to the lumberyard and get the lumber. I need 12' lengths, and wind and rain are not cooperating. I need to finish adding these headers and studs so I can get an electrician in to run new wire.
#diy #HouseRestoration #homerenovation #centuryhomes

austic23 Nov 3, 2024

I've made good progress on correcting bad, old framing. I've designed and installed a load bearing post and beam system that has corrected a lot of the 2nd floor sagging and addresses the span issues from the original build (they used 2x8s for a 14-16' span and the timbers just weren't holding up, especially with all the added weight from turning the upstairs into apartments).
#diy #HouseRestoration #centuryhomes #homerenovation

austic23 Nov 3, 2024

I've made significant progress in demolition. I believe I have the first floor fully demolished, and the basement mostly demolished. I've removed all plaster and lath (don't come for me. Most of it was falling off in the first place) and carpet and trim and doors and blown-in cellulose insulation. I've saved the doors and trim. Someday I will get to cleaning them up and rescuing them (I promise!)
#diy #centuryhomes #HouseRestoration

austic23 Nov 3, 2024

3 summers ago, I bought a "landlord special" 19th century foursquare home in a Midwest college town.

Knowing it would be a lot of work, I thought it could help me find some balance between my day job, which is mostly thinking and writing, by giving me hands-on work.

I want to try and use this space to help keep me accountable for progress on the house and as a way to vent frustrations that come up with it.

#diy #centuryhomes #HouseRestoration #homerenovation