Um ya, this is the view from our house earlier today.

And it may be the least of our issues (I use the word issues because we brought this on ourselves and knew it was coming).

No more 1920 terra cotta sewer. Check out the big holes in our yard from that project earlier this week:

No more ancient plumbing or waste stack. It’s gone gone gone. And so is any water/sewer connection in the house. Hi porta-potty. Hi neighbors, can I take a shower at your house?

No furnace ducts. Gone gone gone. Did I say gone?

No more knob/tube outlets or lights. I do love that we have a few new circuits, so we can use lamps, the fridge, microwave, our computers, and most importantly space heaters.

No washer or dryer (well we haven’t had a dryer for the past 9 months, so really one extra trip to the laundromat to switch the clothes, no biggie).

No kitchen or bathroom. I was promised we would have a functional toilet and temporary shower in the basement by Tuesday of next week. They are working on installing the new pex and waste stacks now. Unfortunately no one will be working over the weekend. Nice timing.

Most of the plumbing issues all stem from the new sewer line and backflow valve that was installed earlier this week. The plumber wouldn’t temp us into the old plumbing lines because he had to go through the backflow or something. The old pipes are full of rust and debris that could clog up the valve and he didn’t want to chance it. So I suppose a few days of discomfort I can deal with, vs. wrecking new plumbing, but still. Heck you only get sympathy if you pay emergency plumbing prices I guess, cuz once he’s done today, he’s not back until Monday.

That’s the problem with general contractors, you don’t have much control over who they pick as subs. I would’ve so hired Bob Nichols if I had a say. :(

Anyway, we will live, I assure you. Pray that our tarp stays on over the weekend. The new dormer trusses are coming Monday, and they say they should be able to get things sheathed (or whatever) by Tuesday. Brrr.

What is new in the past 3 weeks is:

• New basement framing, and a large portion of the rest of the framing other than the dormer.
• New sewer line
• New rough-in plumbing in basement floor
• New staircase from basement to attic
• New structural beams in basement and kitchen ceiling to support dormer

5 Responses to “Camping Out in Our Own Home”

1. jenni@thirteeneleven says:

   January 25, 2008 at 5:16 pm

   WOW lots is going on…..Hope it is not too cold there…
2. Nicole says:

   January 25, 2008 at 5:33 pm

   Sadly you’ve done this at the coldest point in the year! Are you two doing ok? How much longer will things be really torn up? At least it’ll be really nice when it’s all done!
3. Jennifer says:

   January 25, 2008 at 11:59 pm

   bRrRR! Sounds COLD! I hope you stay nice and warm. LOTS of hot tea and fluffy blankets!
4. Nate says:

   January 26, 2008 at 7:04 pm

   Wow, things are moving along really fast! I guess that’s what happens when you hire a contractor vs. piddling along yourself. Great to see all the work! Hang in there!
5. 1915 Craftsman Bungalow says:

   August 24, 2010 at 8:27 pm

   OMG! I know what you mean. I went without a bathroom my first three months in my home. Had to use my fiance’s. Although I do not know how you two were able to manage that in such cold weather. It was in the triple digits here when I did that.