"Summer Home" update

[rickr]

You recall the house we bought next door for $3500.00?

It was total mess. The pipes froze and broke, and the water ran in the house for 3 months. Then it sat for 2 years wet, and with all the owners junk in it.

At any rate, here are some progress pixs...

Remember this? The heat and a/c system I bought for $600.00?

 

[gyrafoam]

Well-----is the A/C installed yet? Call me and we can catch-up.

 

[rickr]

Here it is installed

And it works just fine!

 

[rickr]

Will do Steve! I will call you this week, baby!

 

[rickr]

outside unit

Cool as a mountain top in this house now...

 

[rickr]

Ductwork in the attic...

Notice the mold is gone also. I used 10 gallons of bleach in the attic alone, and scrubbed the mold away.

 

[rickr]

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More ductwork..

 

[rickr]

.

We are proud of our ductwork....<:

 

[sudsmaster]

Looks great.

Are those white chimneys PVC pipe? If so it must be a very efficient (95%+) furnace!

You might want to spray a Borax (or boric acid) solution over the bleached wood. Borax inhibits mold growth. It's what they use in cellulose insulation. It also discourages ants/termites.

 

[rickr]

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Utility room before.

Budder yanking the old boiler out.

 

[rickr]

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New electrical system. Updated from 60 amps to 200 amps, plus all new wiring, outlets and switches.

My brother and boyfriend did all the electrical work.

I bought the service panel used also. I think it was $45.00.

 

[rickr]

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Used security storm door for the back door. I paid $80.00 for it. It was white, and rusty, so I sanded and repainted it myself. The wood door was boarded up and nailed shut for 27 years.

 

[sudsmaster]

$45 panel

Nothing wrong with that.

And it's less than $fiddy!

 

[rickr]

.

The solarium on the rear of the house was boarded up for 27 years also. The insurance company would not insure the house unless the boards were removed, even though I have NEVER had a claim on my own home in the 30 years I have lived in it. As a result, I have not had insurance on this house, until about a month ago. It really messed with my head, not having insurance!

They came up with a total loss amount for this house based on the square footage and area, and came up with $70,000.00 replacement cost. I told my partner,"if you come home, and see it burning, do NOT call the fire department" lol!!

 

[alr2903]

Rickr, what a cool idea to use a "down spout" to disguise that ugly A/C refrigerant line. I wish the dude that put our A/C in new about that. signed: we have that ugly thing going going up the side of the house

 

[rickr]

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Looking out of the solarium.

I just love this room!

I have been busy working on restoring the solarium windows, and replacing the rotted wood.

We are going to install a ceiling fan out there too.

 

[rickr]

New garage wiring and roof also.

Timot buried the electical cable under ground, so the wires to the garage are no longer ran overhead.

We were able to match the shingles of the house, so they are the same as on the garage.

 

[polkanut]

I remember the pics you posted of what the solarium looked like when your Mom was a young girl. It looked quite charming in those pics, and I know when you're finished with it, it will be once again.

 

[rickr]

Oh yea, new plumbing too!

Forgot about that... SO nice to have running water.

 

[rickr]

Forgot the new door..

Got this at Menards. This goes from the utility room into the solarium. The old wood door was kicked in, and I could not find a used replacement in that size.

 

[frigilux]

Looks like you've gotten a lot of big projects done on your summer home, Rick. I can't imagine taking on such an endeavor. Keep us posted!

 

[douglasdc6]

What a great idea - Never imagined you could use a gutter downspout for a freon line set cover.

Also like the placement of liquid line & suction line driers.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Great work that house is really shaping up!

~Never imagined you could use a gutter downspout for a freon line set cover.

Really? That is done here all the time.

 

[rickr]

Thanks for the nice comments guys!

Where do I find Borax?

 

[toggleswitch2]

In the laundry aisle!

 

[perc-o-prince]

Looks great, Rick! Continued success!!

Chuck

 

[bellalaundry]

I think it's terrific...

that you are able to use "second hand" items. Recycling at it's best. Your hard work is really showing! The attic looks so clean!

Guy

 

[polkanut]

Borax,

is found in the laundry additives section of the detergent aisle. The most common brand is 20 Mule Team. Works great for laundry too, acts as a water softener and deodorizer.

 

[mistereric]

Nice work! I just installed central air with a good friend and AC tech. We used the downspout method for hiding the freon lines. Is that Kimsul paper insulation remnants in the attic?

 

[autowasherfreak]

It's great when something like this is done to a house instead of tearing it down. I'm sure it's going to look absolutely beautiful when you are finished with it.