Climate Control

We finally got around to calling in an a/c guy, and of course he recommended replacing the unit. He said he'd visited this house a couple years earlier and told the former owner the exact same thing. He said the guy struck him as a loose cannon. Based on what else I've heard about him, that seems to be the consensus. I've heard stories of affairs, fights in the yard, cops being called in, etc. from the neighbors before. I'm pretty sure I will be an improvement since I have so little to live up to. :)

So the a/c guy sold me a new unit and called in the crew to install it. They didn't like the existing duct setup, so they called in the company owner, who told them to do whatever it took to make it right, This turned out to be an extensive 2+ day job with several people working on it. Wow. Here are some shots at the halfway point.

The downstairs closet has been demolished. There was an old return there, but it had been sealed off. They are putting it back in so that both floors get the same air. It will even things out quite a bit. The work is largely finished now; Dad and I will still need to finish the return closeout downstairs, but I've already got it set to a steady 73 degrees, and it is performing beautifully.

My dad spent nearly a whole week down here helping me, mainly with coordinating this a/c install, but also completing the plumbing work, some electrical, and some drywall. The first 2 shots are in the kitchen, first behind the sink, then behind the refrigerator. A new icemaker fitting is now in place at the lower left.

This is the new drainage system. This didn't turn out quite right, but hopefully it'll work. There will be plenty of cleanouts to deal with clogs; we're just worried about how the laundry will drain with that elbow so close to the box. I need to take more pictures to show the other work that has been done; I hope to do that very soon. Since I've been back on my own, I've insulated the front bedroom and installed electrical sockets throughout the upper floor. There's also a lot of changes in the kitchen--drywall is up, and APPLIANCES have arrived!! Stay tuned...

Water Problems

I skipped going to the house Friday, and had a second bird in the master bedroom when I arrived Saturday. After opening the windows, I went straight over to him, scooped him up in both hands and tossed him out the window. Hardly had time to chirp in protest, and he flew away like a natural. Anyway, that was already 5 days ago, and I haven't seen or heard any more birds, so the others must have gotten out the same way their momma got in.
Over the past week, I got all the remaining windows on order. The upstairs still has the original single pane wood frame windows, and I am finishing what somebody previously started downstairs, which is to replace those with double pane low-e vinyl windows. I also finished my drywall teardown of the front bedroom & kitchen, drilled holes in the studs around the bedroom and began pulling new wire for outlets, phone jacks and cable. That process will continue this weekend along with finishing the basic plumbing hookup. One bedroom wall has had a fair number of modifications in the past. That's the first shot below, then 2 of the kitchen.

That's some of the plumbing that almost connects to the bathroom fixtures. One more weekend should do it. I still need a vanity though. The old one walked off.

The Huntsville Utilities guys came out this week and dug out the meter box. They finally replaced the valve and meter and covered back over the hole.

Guess that's one spot I won't have to mow for a while. I did manage to mow the yard for the first time last weekend, none too soon. It has been neglected for a while, and it will take some TLC to make it nice. There's lots of time for that though. I just wanted to knock it down for the time being, quick & dirty.

I cleaned up all the remaining glass before I started, so the place is starting to look presentable from the outside now. I just wish the inside could go a little faster.
I installed new door knob & deadbolts on two of the exterior doors. One of those was the one that vandals kicked in, and I have yet to repair the smashed doorjamb, so I put back the 2x4 that was screwed into the frame to hold it closed for the time being. But at least the empty hole is filled in so that critters can't come in there. Only leaves me with half-a-dozen more similar holes to seal, one of which is this foundation vent into livable space.

I'm using it to route my outdoor faucet & dryer vent and bricking up the rest. I don't like having those 2 items so close together, but it's a lot easier than cutting new holes in that brick & concrete block.