Dear Mike, our kitchen and bath reno is starting to look more and more like an episode of Holmes on Holmes. Every time another step forward is taken, there is a little discovery that adds to the time taken to do the job, and usually more time = more money. After having the insulation sucked out of the attic to make it easier for the electrician and the carpenters to run new wiring and construct new walls, I thought they were just going to take down the ceiling in the kitchen and put a new layer of wallboard to cover the stippled ceiling in the dining area.
Imagine our surprise when we returned home from Drum Roasting and shopping to discover the entire ceiling in the kitchen and dining and bath and hallway had been ‘disappeared’. (top photo) But for good reason. The ventilation in the attic is so poor that the plywood panels in the roof are getting moldy. On the left is a panel that is in good shape. That’s what the wood is supposed to look like.
This photo shows board that has been growing mold. It has turned black with the stuff. This weekend the wood is getting a chance to dry out, but when the guys arrive on Monday we are going to ask about whether the wood needs to be treated at all to get rid of the stuff or whether proper ventilation will take care of it. The crew will be cutting new vents into the soffits, installing baffles that will help air move from the soffits to the roof vents, and eventually new insulation will be blown in. Monday is shaping up to be a big day, with the electrician scheduled to rough in all the new wiring and the gas fitter arriving to rough in the pipes from our new propane tank and the barbecue.
In the meantime here is a shot of the new bathtub, and our reward when all of this is over will be to sit in the tub, lounging away in hot water with a view of our backyard forest out of our new, enlarged window. Here’s a minute-long video of the latest destruction…enjoy!
