It took a couple of weekends, but the three rooms of flooring that are being replaced are out! Well, actually they were out a few weeks ago, but this is my first time writing about it, because I’m terrible at pretending to be a blogger.
Here is the “Before.” All the furniture gone, and ready to demo.
The rot was really concentrated in a couple of areas – super bad, but very localized, which is the best we couple hope for. check out how mushy the subfloor was in these areas!
There’s no evidence of termites now, but this wood looks like it had some at some time. Which makes sense, because of how moist it was.
Getting the first few rows off was the hardest!
Doug and our friend (and constant companion on this renovation) Edgar uncovering the subfloor!
This spot of rot was one we weren’t expecting. But again, it’s not too bad.
My job through most of this? Pulling all of the nails that the boards left behind. All 3,624,768 of them. Also, this is your friendly reminder to make sure your tetanus shots are up-to-date! Because nobody likes lockjaw.
This is where we got by lunch. You can see just how fragile the boards were – they splintered and broke so easily when we pulled them. We knew they couldn’t be salvaged, but it was so much more apparent once we really got into them.
Backgrounds of demo debris are such good selfie material!
This was the rot we knew would be bad in the parlor.
Here is this corner in action!
It’s bad. But really, it didn’t go as far into the room as we feared. Overall, still pretty lucky!
Our friend Brian joined us, and with four of use we really started moving quicker!
Pulling nails was way more fun when I could sit comfortably. Also, this was warm.
Subfloor left, floor being saved to the right.
The subfloor is in GREAT shape.
This is where we got at the end of the first day!
Anyone need a splinter? I have a zillion.
Underneath one of the air returns you can see the brick foundation. I love it so much!
More to go.
We tried to get about 10 more rows out each night during the week. This is where we got before the second weekend.
We had to use a dremel to get the flooring out over here – because this wall was added on top of the floor.
Not only that? The wall was added on top of CARPET. Seriously. This was the worst to get out.
More dremeling! (Dremel-ing? Dremelling?)
Done. So excited!!!!!!
As always, I’m living vicariously through you. My only wish is that you had more time to blog.
Me too! I’m working on it. 🙂
My 1894 house originally had wall-to-wall carpeting, so the wood floors were just cheap pine. Much later, oak floors were laid down, but without the fabulous borders which would have likely been in place in 1894!
Sigh!
Your new floors are gonna be gorgeous!
Ross, I cannot wait for you to see the border we’re adding. I’m losing my mind over it!
Love your blog! Do you think the sub floor may have been the first floor? Or, is it very obvious that it was laid down just to be a sub floor for the first finished floor when the house was built?
I wish I was younger and had as much passion for doing something like this as you do!
Nah – it’s definitely a sub, but it’s SO PRETTY. It IS the main floor on the second floor, though!
Got it. Where the wall was put on top of the carpet- was that originally a larger room or do you think the archway was only moved?
I talk about it a little in the bathroom series posts – this room was likely the informal breakfast room, so it was one room that was larger. At some point, the bathroom and closet were added! 😊
You are living our dream. Keep up the good work.