Demo and Prep on Columbus

This little house was likely built right around the turn of the century... and I mean 1900 as the century that was turning at that time. The 2x4's are actually 2" x 4". Some even measured over 2" thick! While the homeowners are away in Texas, we'll be updating the electrical, plumbing, insulation, and then installing new drywall, floor coverings, and trim. It'll be ready for them, avid do-it-your-selfer's, to take it from there.

Click on any image to enlarge...



New flooring and baseboard trim. Ready for paint! Well, and a little more cleanup on our part.



The kitchen is coming along. Here are a few pics of the finished drywall and baseboard trim. Zoom in for a look at the crown moldings. Homeowner is working on selecting a new floor.

 

The original farm house style sink will be re-installed in this corner.

 

 Below are some of the first steps pics.

We try to update our out of town clients with progress reports. I texted the photo above to Marc in Texas with the caption, "YOUR KITCHEN" 

South wall after a little bit of clean up. Notice that the studs are actual 2x4's. 

North Wall. At one time it appears that there was a door in this wall. If you zoom in, you can see that whoever installed/removed the door didn't bother to replace the load bearing stud when they did it. Also notice that there are no headers over the windows in any of these photos. 

This view (west into the rest of the house) shows a new header installed and also shows fire blocking at the top of the stud walls... and in the photo below. 

A view of the south wall with a header over the window and a new header and door being installed to the right. 

North wall with replaced studs and a new header over the window. We added fire blocking (the 2x material at the top of the wall just below the ceiling). This house is old enough that the original builders used what is called "balloon framing." Stud walls traveled all the way from the basement up to the roof without a break between floors. Efficient use of materials, but a real fire hazard. Because the studs "balloon" around the house, fire, once in the walls, can travel freely to all floors in seconds.  

A couple of before shots. Nice beer selection too. :)