It’s Halloween, thought I’d share some of the scary pics I’ve taken over the years.
A water leak from the kitchen above, impressive how well the Sherwin Williams Promar 200 holds up under water pressure. Wrecked a month’s worth the work, I hate plumbing.
A two inch hole for the 3/4 inch gas line. I wonder how the mice were getting in?
When warm, moist air finds a hole in the air control layer in a very cold climate.
More holes in the air control layer. When fiberglass becomes an air filter.
Speaking of dirty fiberglass and air leaks, it may be present on the exterior as well.
Not what you want to see when you start a new tiling job.
One way to lower your heating costs.
And here’s another…
Of course you could always supplement the heating source with wood.
Another way to add a wood stove.
What happens when warm, moist air leaks into a not so well ventilated attic…frosty.
My house, shortly after I bought it, the kitchen sink quit draining. Wonder why? Did I mention I dislike plumbing.
By the end of winter, this was nearly ground coupled.
Just what you want to see that first warm spring day, water dripping out your soffit.
Luckily I wasn’t in there!
My 1952 Cape, wonder what’s behind the sun?
It looks a little better today!
Roof glaciers.
I dislike plumbing, but I like electricity?
Me in 1987, all I can say is WOW…call me Goose. (Top Gun reference.)
35 years later…scary!
Air source heat pumps in very cold climates.
And we will end with my all time favorite cold climate construction photo, construction moisture and the open HRV vent. Have a happy Halloween!
Your blogs have become a place to visit. They are simply entertaining, informative and real.
The 1952 Cape – still yours? Has an interesting framing detail I believe that is not shown. That would be lateral ventilation? I have been trying to find references to difficult ventilation projects, and this one such detail, when a shed roof attaches to a wall, the rafters in the top section need to be notched to allow air to move laterally out to side vents. In the case of having 2×4 rafters, they need to be, daughtered, that is vertical furling straps on top, with a missing section to allow that lateral escape of warm air at the top. How big the notching and how deep somewhat controlled by codes but ultimately scripted by practis or empirical knowledge..
Somehow even in my limited way I have been apart, repaired or guilty of a few of these photographs.
Chris, yes, the 1952 Cape is my final home. I have a long ways to go with the renovations before I will be happy with it. My roof, which I’ve dug into in a few areas, is ugly and the source of most of my air leakage. Originally, there was no ventilation, at least not planned ventilation in the sloped walls in the upper level. The cavity is full of insulation. Some newer installed by previous homeowners trying to warm the home. It’s not yet a comfortable house, a complete gut and rebuild of the upper level will be required before the home is anywhere near comfortable. I’m adding ventilation to connect the eave to the small attic space at the top of the roof, which has a pair of gable end vents, no ridge vents. My plan is replace the current, old fiberglass insulation with either Rockwool or another fibrous product, and then add 2 inches of Polyiso to the underside, taped and made air tight. Continuous insulation on the inside. Not ideal, but I end up with almost double the R-value over what I have currently. Making it air tight is the big goal. Glad you’re liking the blogs. Watch for the December/January edition of Fine Homebuilding Magazine. Should be coming out within a month. I might have an article or two in that one.
This is great stuff Randy! You really did look like Goose too! Always look forward to these blogs, this one was particularly scary and funny
Thanks Dan!