That old house #1: Old house - new kitchen

I began this project a while ago and just now had some time to start writing about it. This is one of those projects that hold a surprise behind every swing of the hammer. Here is what I have to work with.

It’s an older home. Built in 1939, it started out as a three-room house. Owner after owner left their mark. Unfortunately, almost all of the additions and renovation jobs were done by people who owned stock in fastener or plaster companies. The plaster is that good stuff – about 1 3/8” thick. My first few swings of the hammer revealed the extent that I would be dealing with multiple additions.

This is a design as we go project, so we have nothing like change-orders. The owner wants to keep the galley kitchen, but looked to open up a kitchen-nook for a small table and two chairs. Good enough. I’m doing the remodeling and cabinetry. I’ll be popping in a 36” x 72” window so she can enjoy coffee and look out into her backyard. Because we’re talking “new” everything (except the floor), she wants all new appliances, along with additional “stuff” she never had (hot water on demand, dish washer, TV in the kitchen, etc.).

In these two pictures, everything looks innocent enough. Sure, I have a vent showing in the first one (oh, the closet also had the telephone line and a switch in it). The next pic shows a switch for the fan and an outlet. Do you see anything else?

Like Gomer Pyle would say – Shazam! Now we have ducting, electrical, and water lines all over. Well, didn’t you look in the basement first? Sure – as much as I could see without ripping down the ceiling (which I finally did, just to make sure there were no more surprises).

Notice an electrical line and vent (next to the vent in the first picture!).

Then the water lines for the upstairs bathroom! Why didn’t they run the lines next to the stack? No, instead, they ran two pipes TOUCHING the switch. Nice.

Oh, did I mention the electrical problem? It seems that everyone was too lazy to run new lines. Instead, they tapped off of the closest available line. No wonder when she was using more then two things at a time, 25% of the house would go black. The kitchen, breezeway, sitting room, living room, stairway (both going up and down), both bathrooms (up and down), bedroom, and half of basement is ALL on one line. Oh, did I mention this was OLD wiring? I was looking at 14-2 (without ground) that looked like 10-3 w/ground.

Time to call in the electrician.

I’ll bring you more of the adventure as I go. Until next time, be safe.

-- No matter how many times I measure, I always forget the dimensions before I cut.