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June 29, 2004

demo continues

We have a few projects going now, though our main focus right now is getting the downstairs clear of plaster and lathe. If all goes well, this should be finished by week's end.

The interior demolition happens in 3 steps. First we assault a given area with a crowbar and large hammer. This is fun and dirty. We have to wear safety glasses and respirators. This is the part where we find yucky things like termite damage, old rodents and evidence of insect infestation. This produces piles of plaster and lathe and occasionally drywall.

Once enough debris has accumulated, the piles are sorted and the lathe is thrown out of the side window. We seem to constantly have a large pile of lathe beside out house. The lady 2-doors-down with the wood stove uses some for kindling, but the rest we have to load up and take to the dump. The plaster is loaded in to plastic trash cans, using a well-worn snow shovel. These get kind of heavy.

10 or 12 can loads into the truck is enough for a dump run. To get to the dump that will take this stuff, I have to cross the river into Southside Richmond. I get to drive through Shockoe Bottom and Blackwell and by the Model Tobacco building. Emptying the truck usually drains my desire to do any more work for the day...

Once we get the demo finished, we'll be in a position to do the carpentry that is need to fix the water and termite damage. After that, we'll insulate and finish the electrical work. When that is finshed, we'll drywall the bulk of the downstairs and be at an important milestone.

Posted by john m at June 29, 2004 3:38 AM

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