24 August 2008
chimney demo
We were simultaneously working with the plumbers, electrician, heating, flooring when we discovered that we no longer needed the chimney flue, and could therefore use that space to run a air return to the second floor. We proceeded to deconstruct the chimney upstairs, remove all the bricks, and put up a gorgeous banister and stair rail, crafted by the same guy who patched the floors. We used the bricks to build a backyard fire pit :)
basement
28/08/08 17:45 Filed in: basement
The basement was relatively un-leaky, with only one plug on an old pipe that was discontinued needed and some attention to the downspouts. Our main issue was the poor condition of the concrete floor. We treated with Timber Pro concrete internal sealer, then used an expoxy finish. While this was not our most ‘green’ choice, it was the most economical. We secured new cotton and recycled fiber insulation on the walls, and covered with canvas.
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front landscaping
28/08/08 17:36 Filed in: front yard
The poor shrubs, camelia, rhodos, boxwood, and arborvite were all terribly pruned and crowded, so out they went when the driveway was excavated. We planted in their place ferns, hydrangea, lavender, rosemary, jasmine, and several succulents.
driveway
28/08/08 17:30 Filed in: driveway
When the pool was put in, they landscaped with TONS of river rock, so we dug out the driveway, lined with road cloth, and filled in with river rock and minus rock. [Bedrock Excavation]
pool demo
28/08/08 17:23 Filed in: pool demo
The pool was built in the early 60’s, but had been neglected and was in need of major overhaul. We opted to demo the pool and poolhouse/garage, and now have a spacious backyard. I had the aluminum siding from the shed salvaged and gave away the pool equipment. We removed as much of the pool tile as possible for future use, perhaps in the bathroom or back patio. Bedrock Excavation did the job.
HVAC
27/08/08 15:09 Filed in: hvac
We had the pleasure of working with Portland Green Heat/Central Heating and Cooling for our heating upgrade. The old, leaky oil tank was removed to make way for a high efficiency furnace. They ran a gas line into the kitchen for the range, ran duct work to the second floor/attic, and installed the tankless water heater. I was completely satisfied with their work, friendliness, and professionalism. We also ran a heating duct to the attic.
flooring
27/08/08 14:31 Filed in: floors
We knew right away that the carpet would have to go. While it was only a couple years old, it was heavily soiled. We spent a few days tearing it out and running it to the recycling center, and preparing it for refinishing by removing all the staples. Turns out, it is original fir, with no sub flooring. Perpetua Wood Floors had the honors of making it happen; they gloriously refinished the floors using a low voc stain and an artisan sensibility. There was a patch filling an old register location, which they removed and replaced so the layout matched the rest of the floor-amazing!
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the realtor
27/08/08 14:22 Filed in: realtor
May I highly recommend Mike Riordan, of Georgetown Realty, who showed us many, many homes, until we found and chose ‘the MAD house’. He is a Portland native, a wealth of knowldege, very easy to work with, available, and kind.
