Summer 2005: Hardwood Floor Repairs

Originally there was a built-in faux fireplace in my living room. However, at some point one of the previous owner removed it, Instead of filling in the hardwood floor where it used to stand, they put down plywood and self-stick vinyl tiles.My dad torn up the tiles and plywood and now he's filling it in with oak hardwood to match the rest of the floors.
When the floors get refinished, we shouldn't be able to tell the new floor boards from the old.

Summer 2005: Sunroom Floor Strip & Sand

BEFORE:When we first got the house, the floor in the sunroom had been painted black.

AFTER:Since the company refinishing the floors said they don't remove paint, my dad sanded it all off in advance. What would I do without him!?!

Wall repair and electrical work

We decided our first priority would be to finish a number of projects before we would move in. We wanted to fix all the walls -- fill in cracks and sand. It was astounding to see the lack of quality in previous occupants’ handiwork. Sometimes while sanding the walls, we would find holes that were patched with scotch tape and paint. Often, nails would be hammered in and painted over. In the kitchens, our predecessors had painted over grease-spattered walls.

In addition, we needed a lot more electrical outlets installed. There were only eleven outlets in the upstairs unit. We added seven new outlets upstairs, including 220 wiring for the electric stove. Downstairs, we added five. We were so blessed to have my friend’s father, a retired electrician, to do this work with us. It was quite a gift, as much of the work had to be done from the attic and it was a very hot July. I served as the electrician’s assistant, and I learned a lot. But my most important function was to keep Mr. Hutchinson hydrated. He is the same vintage as the house.

Plus, check this out. There was a bathroom fan AND the switch for it installed inside the shower. How's that for shocking?