When I bought the homestead, there was a mobile home on it. The roof was damaged, and water 馃挦馃寠馃挦馃寠 got to the flooring.
The mobile home was thrown in free, after I bought the land, so this is the best house I ever got for free! Since the conversion to a net zero house to run on solar power requires extensive modifications, a house that needs work is easier to upgrade.
Here's what I bought for nothing:
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I hope I didn't pay too much! This stack of plywood is enough to cover there entire floor. Now It just needs to climb into place, and make a new floor! 馃槅馃榿馃憤
The water came in here:
Of course the roof damage was sealed immediately, to keep the floor damage to a minimum. I decided that the entire floor would have to be removed, to allow extra insulation to be installed, and some 24 volt bussing to be added. The old central ducting is planned to become a central raceway for alternate energy interconnection.
I will deal with the ceiling damage after the floors and wall are done, because the new wall structure will be needed to support the new ceiling.
Friday, we began demolition on the floor where it was soft. I'm also removing wall covering to inspect framing for damage. Since I will be adding several inches to the walls so I can add 2" of extra insulation and a new moisture barrier; this will be transparent, requiring no significant extra work!
It begins:
Floor demolition is dirty work, but the frame is in good shape. This heater runs on propane, and must be removed for now. Wall inspection has begun, and the framework is in decent shape.
The area under the windows is discolored but solid:
So far, everything I've inspected is better than expected! This will speed the repairs, but it will be slow because the homestead is over 50 miles away. That burns a lot of time driving. I will try to figure out how to get there for longer work days, but for now; any progress is good!
More floor Removed:
We managed 8 feet of old floor removal, except for that under the wall. I will use a 20 ton jack to lift that wall up, to place the plywood all the way under the sill plates. it will be better than new when done.
I will be adding R19 to the existing R11 insulation in the floor. That, combined with a new moisture barrier will limit heat loss, and air leaks significantly!
The hallway will need demolition, to make it wide enough for her power wheelchair. The hallway is only 3 foot wide, and needs to be another 18 inches wider
All I lack is finishing up....
