Something is burning my nose hairs....

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been on travel for work to a little town in Virginia called Arvonia. The town is so small that there are no traffic lights or even street names. The roads are defined by number routes (i.e. VA-615). The place is so small, that the nearest hotel is about 1 hour away. I do have to admit, the traveling can be exhausting. Anyway, after several weeks of traveling, I’ve been finally able to do some work around the house.

In the last entry, I started to update my living room. I was on hold from completing the room because I had ordered some new windows. The windows came in about a week ago. I did have a minor issue that didn’t hamper the overall installation of the windows, but minor enough. Replacement windows are usually ordered custom and are measured and cut about ¼ inches smaller than a rough opening. So I measured one rough opening to be 31 ¼ inches and the other to be 31 ½ inches. So the window sizes that I ordered were 31 inches and the other to be 31 ¼ inches. Well of course you guess correctly, this bone-head flipped the numbers and installed the windows incorrectly. Basically, I had installed the 31 ¼ inch window into the 31 ¼ inch opening and the 31 inch window into the 31 ½ inch opening. So of course I didn’t realize this mistake until I was installing the second window.

While installing the first window, I was encountering some difficulty but didn’t realize my mistake until later. It was certainly a snug fit, where I had to use a hammer and a piece of wood to install the window into the rough opening. After feeling confident that the window was in place, I screwed it in place and then installed the window shade.

Pictures of the snug fit windows.

Realization of my bone-head mistake wasn’t discovered until I started to install the second window. I was doing a couple of fit checks when I made the discovery. Of course, I said a couple of loud explicative, at first. But, not to cry over spilt milk, I decided to shim the window in place. Here are the pictures of the small window.



Shimmed window with the reflection of the Redskins lossing from the Giants in the background...

After installing the windows, I decided to clean out my new tool storage area, my exercise room. I started to remove the tools and waste when I realized an odd odor in the room. Growing up, my father would always say, “Never start something new unless the last task is completed.” It is something that I try to live by. The odor was too strong. So I decided to remove the rug from the room.

Note the blue rug under the stuff

After removing the rug, I inspected the sub-floor. Most of the plywood looked pretty good, except a portion that seems to be cork-board flooring. The cork-board flooring appears to have absorbed what seems to be pet urine. So for the next couple of days, I’ll be removing and replacing that area. At least I found my smelly culprit.

Anyway, until next time, happy building…

The work must continue.....

Even though I’ve placed an ad within craigslist, fixing and cleaning things around the apartment must continue. Last Friday is when the advertisement went live. Thus far I’ve had several potential tenants interesting in viewing the apartment, but nothing yet.

Last weekend the apartment was completely cleaned. Thanks to my mom and both of my nephews, I was able to really put a dent into getting the apartment upstairs ready for some showings. My initial concerns cleaning were with the hardwood floors. I was concerned that the dirt and dust could have damaged the floors that the shine would not come back. But with some elbow grease and an old mop, the floors returned to their original look…

Here are all of the pictures showing the work that was accomplished last weekend.

I was also able to install a new screen door to the porch. The original door was in a horrible state. Here are some pictures of the screen doors showing the before and after…

The only things left that I would like to accomplish are paint the back steps, install a new floor, fix some electrical plugs, and replace the batteries in the smoke detectors. The new floor that I’m referring to is the landing in the back steps. Here are some pictures showing what I’m referring too.
Once all of the said items are completed… The real fun will start… My living space…. Well until next time.

The end is near.... But also a new beginning...

For the last couple of days things have been starting to come together. Since purchasing this home, I’ve been trying to create a suitable apartment for a potential tenant. Part of the delays can be attributed to major and minor set backs. You know the bathroom roof collapsing, window Bob, the radiator sinking, and my surgery, just to name a few. But I partly felt that the apartment needed a lot of work, before accepting a tenant. I now feel that I can finally see the finish line.

Over the weekend, I started to move all of my tools and equipment down to the basement. I also completed painting the front hallway. I decided to paint the hallway the same color as the bedrooms, partly because it is a soft yellow that is soothing on the eyes. It projects a calming vision as if looking at an Aurora in the night Alaskan sky. Ok seriously, it was because I had extra paint that was a decent color. Here are some before and after pictures of the front hallway.

Before

As you can see the attic stairs were painted to match the ceiling.

I also finished painting the window trim. I had to first sand the joint compound to be a smooth surface. This left the rooms dusty once again. Here are the pictures showing the final result.



For the bathroom, I installed a wash towel rack and a toilet rack. I kind of ran out of ideas of where to install the towel rack. So I’ll most likely find a place over the weekend for the towel rack after consulting some family members. The bathroom door was also installed, at which point I realized it needs a coat of paint. Luckily I have extra “Alaskan Sky” paint. I then fixed the floor transition from the dinning room to the bathroom.

Here is a picture of the toilet rack and wash towel rack….


Here are some pictures showing that damage floor where I put the new transition plate.

Before I started to pool all of the required administrative paper for rental properties together. I gathered the application, leasing agreements, pre-leasing inspection forms and a check list. The reason for creating a check list was to help me keep track of paperwork that needs to be completed. Anyway, after gathering the paperwork, I found a company that will perform credit and background checks for potential tenants. So with all of that stuff in place, I felt it was time to place an advertisement for the apartment.

So, here it is…

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/apa/1114133655.html

Like I said, things are really starting to come together. This weekend I plan on finish cleaning and complete some minor issues that still need to be done... Anyway, until next time...

Home Improvement...

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been pretty busy with things outside of working in the apartment. About two weekends ago, I took a trip with my father down to New Jersey to visit some family. The trip was filled with both sadness and happiness. But the depressing part of the trip is for another time and place… But one of many stories that I could possibly tell from my trip, is of one story that is more relevant to the house journal.

My loving uncle, who I know is proud of my success and learning experience through life, has been sharing this wonderful story with one of his co-workers. My uncle tells me that every time that a new journal entry has been entered, he would print out a copy and share it. Apparently there was one day, after my surgery, that my uncle’s co-worker asked, “Any new entries from the Puerto Rican Tim Allen?”

I actually loved that show and Tim Allen’s character, Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor. I certainly love the reference. Thanks for the laughs… Thought you would like that story...

Ok, back to my home improvement. The apartment upstairs is almost there. This weekend I was able to remove the trash and start cleaning some of the rooms. I also had help from my mother, who cleaned the kitchen. It is starting to smell clean.

I was also able to place some decretive trim down at areas where the floors do not evenly meet.

I was also able to get the cracked radiator repaired. The crack was welded and hopefully it will work ok...I have not installed it yet… I have to admit,. I’m still a little scared to move anything especially after my surgery and all… But I can say that it looks fixed and is ready to be installed.

There are only a few things left to finish the upstairs like remove all of the tools, paint the hallway and window trim, install the radiators, switch out a couple of damaged plugs and clean. Then it’s just creating the required administrator stuff, like application, lease agreement and so on. Anyway, until next time…

Trash...

It’s late on Sunday night…Another productive weekend is about over. Many of us spent the weekend with the one’s we love. Gazing into each others eyes... Enjoying the scent of our new flowers and/or the strawberries dipped in chocolate… Others, well…. let’s not identify them. We’ll just say that we love them too… But as I sit here and ponder about my weekend, I begin to wonder, “How the heck did I get myself into this position.” I guess what I’m trying to say is “How did I end up with a house that is purely a mess?” I mean, when I bought this place, it was horribly disgusting: rugs were stained, the walls smelled, the bathroom looked to have years of grime, and a new sun roof was installed (we can chalk that one up to nature). Honestly, on a side note, I still wonder why I purchased this place, especially after what I’ve just described… Anyway, the dismal list can go on and on…I can say however, that the work accomplished thus far does present some encouraging emotions. But the root of this disappointing feeling is that the house is a mess… Not in a foul stench per say, but a mess with rubble. I’m truly referring to the second floor apartment. I didn’t realize the magnitude of this disarray until I trip over it. Yes I hit my head and stubbed my toe several times...

Before I get into that subject, I had planned to finish installing the window frames over the weekend. It was a task that was extremely fun to do, because I got to use all of the fun tools… You know the tools like a router, pneumatic nail gun, table saw, chop saw, drill, and a jig saw. But to answer your question, yes, the window frames are installed. Sorry I was jumping ahead…

Anyway, the window frames were installed fairly quickly with minor difficulty, but, there in.

Here is a picture of the window in the living room. This is before installing the window frame. Note the pink insulation...

Here is a picture of the window in the living room, now.

Here is a picture of the window frame in the front hallway; this one is located by the front door.

This picture is a close up of the same window; I’m trying to show the rounded edge… I know you can’t see it… But just trust me... its there…

Ok now back to the trash at hand… Here is a picture of twigs and branches that were found within the window upstairs… You may remember me mentioning it a while back.

Here is a picture of the trash in the living room… This is mostly empty cardboard boxes.

This picture shows the construction and demolition rubble in the dining room.

More trash in the bedroom... But I guess the good news about describing my debris problems, is that the major hurdles are completed. I’m a lot closer in completing the second floor apartment. Besides cleaning the mentioned wreckage, I just have to paint all of the window trim and a hallway. Things are certainly starting to come together… Anyway, until next time… By the way, thanks for reading about my trash…

I'm back....

Ok I’m back in business… Well not necessary 100% back, but I feel that I’m close enough. It's more like 90% back. My doctor has instructed me not to return to the gym for another 4 weeks, which sucks although he did say that I could start running again, starting tomorrow. Basically I should not do any sit-ups and/or any weight training for my down period… But that’s ok. I have to take it slow…

Since my last entry, I’ve done nothing around the house. Until today, I mean I was recovering after my surgery and having a relaxing time in Tampa, Florida…. Oh yeah, I might have left that bit of information out. I had stayed at a friend’s house in Clearwater Florida over the Super Bowl weekend. I didn’t go to the game. I mean, who is going to spend $1900 dollars for one scalp ticket? That’s not including the flight or even the hotel room… Wait, Cardinal and Steelers fans actually did spend that money… Plus it wasn’t the Patriots. Regardless, it was a relaxing and exciting trip…


Here I am at a friend’s house… Hanging out by the dock…

Ok back to reality…The apartment upstairs…
I walked upstairs and assess the situation… I still have some minor hurdles that need to be accomplish before I can rent the apartment. One of the major things that need to be accomplished is the damaged floor. In the last episode, I just need to put peal and stick flooring down. Luckily I was able to find some replacement tile. The color of the new peal and stick tiles are not 100% perfect, but close enough. However, the patterns are certainly the same. I needed to first remove the previous adhesive before installing the new tiles.

Here is a picture of the adhesive remover that I used. While that was penetrating the adhesive, I decide to install the mirror and put silicone caulk in the bathroom. Here is a picture of the mirror…

Oops!!! Looks kind of crooked… Regardless it looks good.

Ok here is a small instructional description in how to apply the caulk like a professional. Well not really professional, but better then we normally do it. The equipment you will need is as followed:

Silicone,
Painters tape
And your finger… Yes your finger...

Place the painters tape around the area that you may want to apply the silicone.

There is no real required length or width of the tape to be applied…But I usually eye ball a distance and try to make it consistent throughout… After the tape is installed, I then apply the silicone caulk between the two pieces of tape….

After applying the silicone, I take my finger and just work it through the silicone and in one direction. I try to make a smooth look throughout the process. After completing the entire length of the tape. I instantly remove and discard the painters tape. Partly because once the silicone is completely dried, it would be extremely difficult to remove the tape…

Here are a couple of tips and cautions. I usually use paper towels to clean my fingers after spreading the caulking material in place. Slowly remove the tape after applying the caulking material, you don’t want to create a larger mess when removing it… Also insure you have a bag or something to discard the tape without getting the excess caulking material all over the place… Most importantly, double check with the ingredients and warnings notes of the caulking material. I know a couple of people who may be allergic to the chemicals. So use with caution!!!! Also follow the direction of the caulking material for drying times…


Here is a picture of the finish result...
After installing the silicone, I installed the new shower curtain rod… I’m really a big fan of the curved rods…

Once the adhesive remover was dry, I used a scrapping tool to remove the adhesive residue. After that was completed, I then applied the adhesive primer and then installed the peal and stick tiles… Here is a photo showing the finish result...














The floor is now completed...I just need to install the radiator. The next thing on the list is the window frames... Well until next time...