Working for the Weekend!

"Working for the Weekend" is a song released in 1981 on the rock band Loverboy's second album Get Lucky. 

Are you cursing my name because this song is now stuck in your head?  Hopefully not and if you haven't already closed this page, check out some of the updates from Friday and Saturday.  The remodel is still on schedule as I prepare for the cabinets to be delivered on Wednesday and installed this upcoming Saturday.  Busy and productive times!

The Hardie Backer board is installed and the joints are taped and mortared.
The floor is now ready for the base cabinets and tile.

Wall and ceiling have been repaired and are now ready for paint and new upper cabinets.
Also, there is now an outlet for the microwave above the range.

Opposite wall also ready for cabinets.
We had to move the outlet 6 inches because we are relocating the refrigerator.

Another view of the drywall work.

12x12 inch vinyl tile in the mater bath suite.
Boom - outta here!

Porcelain tile install is on my to-do list

Half of the slate tiles to be installed in the 3-season porch.
Since it is a natural stone, you need to seal it before installing it.

This is the product I used to seal the slate.  I bought it from Lowe's and it was pretty easy to use.
Just apply it with a brush.  3 coats with 2 hour dry time between them.

New appliances were delivered on Saturday and patiently waiting for the kitchen to be completed.

New fridge!

New sliding door to be installed this week.

We planted 4 pine trees on Earth Day in the backyard.  This one looks like twig but it was a legitimate sapling.

I replaced a broken and dirty window pane in the basement.

I really just wanted an excuse to use my crowbar again.

New pane...big fan of Ace Hardware too!

Done!
 I really included this update so my insurance guy would have proof I fixed the pane per his request.  :)

  

Clean Slate

The kitchen is now completely demo'd after the help of my lovely wife, Amanda, and the strategic consulting of Mr. Ron Slocum.  It is now a clean slate!  The next step is to install HardieBacker cement board on top of the sub-floor.  This will provide the appropriate surface to mortar the porcelain tile floor onto.

The floor was surprisingly the most difficult part of the kitchen demo.  I guess 8 layer of adhesive vinyl tile applied over a 70 year period would build up some resistance.  Despite the stubbornness of the floor, it was comical to see various types of flooring that were once in style!

After about an hour of working hard, I decided it was time to start working smart.  I used my circular saw to score the floor into 12x18" sections, after adjusting the blade just under the thickness of the built up tile floor.  Using my trusty crowbars, the newly scored floor began popping up in easily managed sections.  Success!

It looks a cane but it is just my favorite demo too.
The 'ol 36 inch crowbar.

Standing on top of 8 layers of flooring after removing half of it.

Before I decide to score the floor into manageable pieces using the circular saw...
You can see some of the different vinyl tile types.
It was also a huge mess before I started scoring the floor.

One of the many chucks of scored flooring.

8 layers!
It reminded me of counting the rings of a tree to determine the age.

Clean slate! - North view

Clean slate! - South view

I only remembered to take a picture after half of the truck was already unloaded.
The picture doesn't really do it justice, but I still smile when I think of the words of the associate who helped load it..."No speed bumps!" 

Tile, mortar, grout and backer board left a solid 3/4" clearance in the wheel wells!

The next projects!  Tile flooring installed in the kitchen and master bath.  Slate tile in the 3 season porch.

All the pieces are ordered...now I just have to put the puzzle together.

Opposing side rendering of remodeled kitchen.

Demolition Man

No, I am not talking about the 1993 movie staring Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes and Sandra Bullock (heck of a cast for a C+ movie by the way).

This week I have been focusing on tearing out the cabinets and flooring in the kitchen.  The new Thomasville Cabinetry arrives in less than 2 weeks.  Let's hope the new cabinets go in as easily as these came out!

The tools to get the job done.  Yes, there is a 36" crowbar in my arsenal.

Appliances cleared out - time to let the fun begin.

And the cabinets are no more.

Everything is being removed...including the kitchen sink!

That used to be a Lazy Susan.  

Demo is almost complete.
The remaining upper cabinets are coming down tonight.

Show for the neighbors

I am almost certain I put on a show for my new neighbors last Saturday.  Since this property was a foreclosure, the yard has been unattended for around a year.  The large oak tree in the back has reeked havoc on the gutters and roof.  I decided to use my new pressure washer to clean out the gutters and roof debris.

The good news is that the gutters are clean and birds are no longer using them as a feeding trough.  The bad news is that I may have lost a shirt and MSU hat in the process.  Note to self in the future: Don't Wear a White Shirt.

The roof and gutters are clean and clear...
wish  I could say the same for me!

They should use this shirt in those laundry detergent commercials that claim to get out any stain!

Special Thanks

I want to recognize and thank the professionals who helped me with this process.

• Josh May of RE/MAX of Grand Rapids  
• Matt Dhaseleer of First Place Bank
• Logan Dykstra of Aspen Insurance Group, LLC
• Gordon Love of Architectural Inspection Services, LLC

All four of these gentlemen are hardworking professionals.  I would highly recommend them for your Realtor, mortgage, insurance and home inspection needs respectively.

Closing completed

 Last week on a rainy Friday in April, I finally closed on my property at Chamberlain Avenue.  Below are the "before" pictures.  Let the overhaul begin!

Front of Chamberlain - main entrance with no snow!

Side entrance of driveway

Another angle of the front of the house

One stall detached garage

Back deck with about 12 months worth of leaves on it

View of the large fenced backyard

More leaves...more backyard

Back of the house and deck

3 season porch entrance off the back deck.
I can't wait to remove that 1970s awning over the porch.

Side of garage and about 25 cubic feet of leaves

View of the kitchen.  This is where the most work will be done.
All new cabinets, countertops, appliances and flooring.

Opposite view of the kitchen.  There is a breakfast nook at the far end.

Window in kitchen looking into the backyard

Living room with working fireplace.
I am personally refinishing all the hardwood floors.

View from the living room into the front entrance

View from dining room

Hallway

Downstairs bedroom #1

Downstairs bedroom #2

Downstairs full bathroom an hour before it was dewinterized

Stairs going up to the master suite

Hallway to master bedroom

View from master bedroom

Tile shower the master bathroom

Flooring in the master bathroom - to be replaced

Another master bath view

View from the dining room into the 3-season porch.
Carpet to be replaced by tile

Stairs to the unfinished basement.
I think my grandparent's had the same vinyl steps!