Tearing Apart Our House: Demo Day (or rather Demo Month)
On our designated "Demolition Day" (the month of March 2020), our plans took an unexpected turn. Initially enlisting a contractor for the task, we faced a sudden halt when the pandemic forced closures. Undeterred, we shut off gas, water, and electricity before venturing into the heart of our home – the kitchen - and doing the demo ourselves.
Beginning with outdated yet functional appliances, we were able to donate them to a local nonprofit organization. As countertops and cabinetry met their demise, we invested a day meticulously deconstructing the kitchen.
Over the week, walls crumbled, tile flooring vanished, and a concern arose about bathroom floor tiles possibly being applied with asbestos. Asbestos tiles often resemble standard tiles ranging from 9”x9” to 18”x18” in size but can appear dark and discolored due to age. Swift action, including the purchase of an asbestos kit that we sent to a lab, revealed the tiles were asbestos-free, allowing us to proceed.
Removing Cabinets
Clearing Out the Kitchen
Not asbestos tiles!
Kitchen Demolished
Upstairs, a swapping out of three dumpsters total marked our progress. Walls fell between rooms and space was made for new master closet.
The bathroom underwent a radical transformation as we created space for two bathrooms. We shoveled the tiles and debris from the bathroom floor and brought it out to the dumpster in Lowes’ buckets. However, we found a much quicker solution - our shop vacuum!
Dumpster #2
Bathroom and Closet
The demolition took about a month, a labor of love undertaken during weekends and after work hours. During this time, we had only two face masks as masks were all sold out nationwide due to the shortage of PPE. My uncle sent us two additional masks from Denver. Once they were not usable any longer, we improvised face masks using cloth with vacuum bags as inserts. I would not recommend this but at the time it was the only solution we had.
Now to the basement. It was a blank dark space where we first we removed the enigmatic "Pittsburgh Potty." Professionals orchestrated the extraction of electrical and plumbing elements, with Andrés tackling the removal of a vintage oil tank, uncovering fuel sludge from whenever it was last used. A resourceful journey led us to a recycling facility, ensuring the safe disposal of this historical residue.
Masks Very Much Needed
Dug Out Basement
6ft Oil Tank (sideways)
While the basement appeared bare at first glance, it swiftly became the epicenter of our demolition endeavors. With our vision, we embarked on a comprehensive relocation project. The furnace was to find a new home under the stairs, accompanied by the addition of a tankless gas water heater in a to-be-built utility closet. The plumbing underwent a major shift, and the electrical throughout the house was to be replaced.
Elevating the basement's purpose, we planned for a bathroom and laundry room. Yet, this vision required a substantial transformation – digging into the floor to lay the necessary plumbing groundwork to connect to the city line. Challenges emerged, leading us to the realization that to meet the mandated 7-foot ceilings, we would have to excavate the entire basement floor, delving a foot down to the foundation. By leveling the flooring, we gained the crucial 2 inches of clearance, ensuring our final result met the 7-foot ceiling code after framing and drywall.
The subsequent month focused on laying the groundwork for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems in the basement. A pivotal decision emerged – dual HVAC systems for heating and cooling, distinct for each floor. Working with an HVAC company, we witnessed a meticulous rerouting of vents and the installation of two rooftop air conditioning units to service the basement and first floor, with a separate unit catering to the second floor.
Stayed tuned to see how we put the house back together!
