Day One: Breaking Through to the Other Side

Today was the day: the workmen (Dave and John) arrived at about 8 o'clock, and I showed them the place and described the general activities of this project. Their boss George didn't arrive until about 9:15, because of a doctor's appointment. I stayed only for a couple of hours this morning, but I ran into a number of surprises during that short time:

I learned that the plumber Tom was coming today, too.

I learned that the plan was to move the washer and dryer downstairs and hooked up soon (which was a great relief to Nancy and me).

I learned that the plumber would be taking out many many pipes today.

I learned that our utility sink would be next to the door leading into the rec room, instead of in the sink we're tearing out.

I learned that there was a supporting post by the old stairs to the basement had been cut years ago and left hanging into space.

I learned that when Tom cut away useless dead pipes in the basement, the room became suddenly brighter, because the piples were no longer blocking the light.

I learned that Tim was sick this morning and had to stay home, sleeping in bed most of the day, and that he didn't even see the workmen.

Here's what happened today:


The Hole that Will Be a Staircase
The workmen cut the hole through the floor of the understairs closet, but they haven't yet cut the two supporting beams they will have to sever.


The View from the Beams
I could stand on the exposed beams and take a picture of the recently cleared basement.


Where the Woodpile and Pipes No Longer Remain
This area of the basement is much neater now than it was this morning. If you don't believe me, take a peek at what it used to look like.


The Plastic Barrier
Dave and John set up this plastic barrier in the basement to reduce the amount of dust that fell on our pile of possessions at the back of the basement.


A Little Bit of Exposed Asbestos for Flavor
Apparently, during the work with the pipes, a bit of the wrapped asbestos around some pipes became re-exposed. Luckily, it's all quite wet from the water in the pipes, which helps keep the fibers from floating in the air and up our nostrils.


The Ghost Staircase from Below
Down in the rec room, this is the view of the hole where the new stairs will originally stand.


The Doorway out of the Basement, Modified
This doorway used to include a door, but Dave removed that today. The workmen will probably also take out the rest of the wall to the left of the door before they are done.


Just above the Doorway
If you look just above the doorway, you will see a little nest of maple keys that somehow sifted through slits in the floor into this corner of space.


Another View of the Upstairs
Here's a closer view of one of the supporting beams, which they guys have peeled so they can put up a support post.


The Kitchen Sink, Removed
And here's the kitchen sink, one of the few items the workmen didn't take away today.

All in all, this was a good first day. And Nancy was excited by the progress so far. Only about 150 days to go!

honi soit qui mal y pense