Projects Update

Here's a long overdue post. We’ve reached the end of the first phase of repairs…we covered a number of the larger ones in the blog already, especially when we had to hire somebody. But also we did finish up a couple of sweat equity ones as well. No doubt the home improvement enthusiasts among our readers will see some natural opportunities to combine several of these into larger projects!

Photo is of Mary and Gracie in the living room of the cabin a few weeks ago - enjoying the new gas fireplace and insulation!

Projects completed:

Get rid of old freezer in the shed
Install new gutters at back of house
Secure gas line at rear eave to of house
Electrical: install GFCI recap/3-prong outlets (partially completed)
Relocate ground wire to exterior
Deal with drain condition at rear door (taken care of by new gutters)
Recaulk windows (we replaced most of the windows – will need to do the larger ones in the future)
Remove loft in livingroom (sweat equity!)
Install new exterior light fixtures
Install carbon monoxide detectors and add additional smoke detectors
Have septic field emptied Apply sealer to wood frame at window in large bathroomReplace electric heating units - wall heating unit in dining area doesn’t work
Install new ceiling fan in living room
Tear down lean-to at rear of small shed (more sweat equity! Thanks Chris!)
Regravel driveway (we got the neighbor to do this, as the erosion was caused by a building project on his lot) Install damper in fireplace
Paint small chest of drawers and closet door in small bedroom (sweat equity)
Insulate water lines (sweat equity)

Higher priority projects:

These are projects we are going to try and tackle during the next year.

Examine under the house for potential issues with the post-and-beam construction and insulation installation
If beams under addition are not PT, coat them with waterproofing
Relocate dryer vent from under the house
Where shingles on back of house are deterioriating, replace or install flashing
Repoint stone retaining walls where cracked.
The pool (this is major and a future blog topic…enough to say that it is a five-figure project!)

Lower priority projects:

Several of these will be sweat equity during the next year, but a few of them require a bit more thought.

Replace/frame lattice under addition and make sure portion of lattice can be easily removed to allow access under addition
Masonry on terraces: level and relay existing brick patio on upper terrace (this is one of several exterior projects we need to take on – will probably combine them into a major effort)
Add protection/covering to threshold in laundry/back door
Paint or finish laundry room floor
Replace flue top/add chimney cap (less urgent now that gas fireplace is installed and the inside flue has been closed off)
Add new sliding louvered doors to large closet in addition hallway
Rescreen small porch off master bedroom
Add bolts to ramp on small side porchGlobe to cover bear bulb in closet
Replace two cracked floor tiles in large bathroom if possible
Trim trees and bamboo especially near garage
Reroof garage and fix electric problemsRebuild brick grillRemove decorative mirrors from wall in master bedroom

New projects:

During the major work we did so far, here are a few more we identified and need to prioritize.

Install new installation and tongue and groove paneling in the addition – similar to what was done in the stone part of the house (higher priority)
Seal moist area on rear wall of stone portion of house (may not be a problem since new gutters were installed)
Secure kitchen counter top, add anti-tip bracket to range, and replace vent fan in kitchen (we may turn these into a kitchen remodel)Restain/seal cedar shingles Add blow-in insulation to exterior walls in addition (higher priority)