One big problem with fixer uppers can be the roof. If there's a problem with the roof, it can be expensive to fix (and especially expensive to replace). Also, depending on how long there has been a problem with the roof, there could be a lot of other problems as a result. Upon inspecting the house and deciding how much we could sink into it and would need to sink into it, it became pretty clear that the roof was going to be the most immediate necessary expense. The good news was that the damage in the house from the moderately decrepit roof was minimal; however, the bad news was that it was an unseasonably rainy summer for Oklahoma thus far, and we knew if we didn't take care of it soon, there would be a greater potential for even more damage.
Blake crunched the numbers and proceeded to weed through various leads for someone to do the roof for an affordable price. One roofer we contacted didn't have the means to get his crew up onto the roof considering the steep angle, oh and also, he was pretty certain our roof had asbestos. So certain, he didn't get it tested, but simply handed us a number of another roofer he knew who might do an asbestos roof for a decent price.
We contacted this roofer, who volunteered to come take a look, kindly reassuring that maybe all hope wasn't lost and our roof wasn't a potentially cancerous death trap. As we waited, storms kept rolling in, and we nervously watched this one moldy spot creep along the wall where the roof was certainly leaking. Without having it tested, the roofer came to the house and confirmed the same suspicion that the roof was asbestos. They offered to do it for almost double what we could afford.
Finally, Blake contacted a third roofer. Once again, though the roof hadn't been tested, he was fairly certain the roof was asbestos. Blake then asked a thousands-of-dollars worth question: what if the old roof was already removed? The roofer said that he would charge the normal rate for putting on the new roof if his crew was not responsible for removing the old one.
Blake did his research, got some help, wore masks, worked fast, and we all prayed. He, his dad, and his brothers removed all of the old roof in one day, and the roofers came by to put the new roof on soon afterwards.
As I was writing this, I was asking Blake a few questions to make sure I was getting the story right (he obviously kept me a million miles away from this project).
"So, no one actually ever tested the roof, right?"
"No, we never got it tested."
"So...it may not have even been asbestos, right?" I asked hopefully.
Blake smirks knowing that I am trying to cling to any kind of remnant of possibility that he never willingly put himself in a potentially dangerous situation, but ever honest, says "We never got it tested, but...it was asbestos."
After the new roof was complete and I forced myself not to think about whether or not Blake's mask was secure enough during the roof removal process, we were finally ready to start some inside renovation. Blake decided we should start with the room that would require very little work so that we could be encouraged by getting a room done.
I finally was able to start some work I felt pretty qualified to do. However, let me tell you a little something about being married to a guy who knows how to do everything, and do it well: you probably don't know how to do anything. Blake lovingly but clearly asserted his expectations when it came to renovating, and it has given me an eye for detail that I could have gone my whole life not having and been perfectly content. Despite the fact that Blake's insistence on a job well done has often caused me to groan and say "literally no one is going to inspect that little place on the top of the door frame where some of the paint peeled with the tape," it has given me a deeper look into who Blake is. I have also found a deeper meaning and reasoning behind Colossians 3:23-24: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward." So, no, whoever might potentially own this house after us may not notice every tiny detail we have slaved over to make this house beautiful, but God will notice when we are good stewards of what He has given us. More on this later, because it's going to need a blog post all its own.
After working so hard on kilzing the living room and having it completely prepped for painting, we went to pick out the paint color for the room. We discovered that Lowe's was having a huge paint sale, so Blake knew exactly what to do to make my creativity-driven and beauty-craving heart leap for joy: we picked and purchased paint colors for the entire house.
I do have one little bit of bad news that I know is going to upset you, readers: I thought I had an after picture of the living room, but sadly I do not. However, as we are moving in today, we recently pulled up the carpet and will be cleaning the hardwood floors today, so as soon as that is done I will have Blake take a beautiful panoramic view of the now transformed living room. I could be partial, but I think it's pretty amazing.
***EDIT***
Okay, so I know you all were disappointed that there was no living room after picture, so let me explain. Because we had so much patchwork and painting to do to all of the places with hardwood flooring, we left the carpet so we didn't have to worry about getting paint on the floor. So, after we finished patching and painting the living room, we didn't take an after picture because the carpet was still there. Now, the carpet is up, but the floor in the living room isn't finished because all of our stuff is being temporarily stored there. However, I do have a little bit of transformation I can show you. I have some good pictures that give you an idea of how good the living room looks now, but the carpet is still there. Once we finish the floor, we will take some really great panoramic photos of the living room (and with that gorgeous fireplace all nice and clean *insert heart eyes emoji here*). Plus, I promise that in the next day or two I am going to have a blog post up that will show the ENTIRE transformation of our dining room. :)
Blake crunched the numbers and proceeded to weed through various leads for someone to do the roof for an affordable price. One roofer we contacted didn't have the means to get his crew up onto the roof considering the steep angle, oh and also, he was pretty certain our roof had asbestos. So certain, he didn't get it tested, but simply handed us a number of another roofer he knew who might do an asbestos roof for a decent price.
We contacted this roofer, who volunteered to come take a look, kindly reassuring that maybe all hope wasn't lost and our roof wasn't a potentially cancerous death trap. As we waited, storms kept rolling in, and we nervously watched this one moldy spot creep along the wall where the roof was certainly leaking. Without having it tested, the roofer came to the house and confirmed the same suspicion that the roof was asbestos. They offered to do it for almost double what we could afford.
Finally, Blake contacted a third roofer. Once again, though the roof hadn't been tested, he was fairly certain the roof was asbestos. Blake then asked a thousands-of-dollars worth question: what if the old roof was already removed? The roofer said that he would charge the normal rate for putting on the new roof if his crew was not responsible for removing the old one.
Blake did his research, got some help, wore masks, worked fast, and we all prayed. He, his dad, and his brothers removed all of the old roof in one day, and the roofers came by to put the new roof on soon afterwards.
"So, no one actually ever tested the roof, right?"
"No, we never got it tested."
"So...it may not have even been asbestos, right?" I asked hopefully.
Blake smirks knowing that I am trying to cling to any kind of remnant of possibility that he never willingly put himself in a potentially dangerous situation, but ever honest, says "We never got it tested, but...it was asbestos."
After the new roof was complete and I forced myself not to think about whether or not Blake's mask was secure enough during the roof removal process, we were finally ready to start some inside renovation. Blake decided we should start with the room that would require very little work so that we could be encouraged by getting a room done.
The living room was actually the least in need of repair of all the rooms. This was before anything had been done to it, other than hauling out some junk to make room for renovating. Also the carpet doesn't look so bad in this picture, but it was a spongy, moist, slightly sour mess.
This is after Blake had mudded and repaired a few cracks in the walls, and you can also see here the hole in the ceiling (which Blake had cut to a nice neat rectangle to allow for easier drywall patching) that was caused by the roof leak. What you can't see in this photo is the really nasty crumbly, moldy patch also caused by a roof leak, which would be just to the left of this frame.
Good-bye ridiculous salmon color, even blah kilz looks better than you. Also, the spot I'm painting is exactly where the moldy yucky spot was. If you're like me and have no idea what kilz is, it's a primer that kills and prevents further mold growth.
I finally was able to start some work I felt pretty qualified to do. However, let me tell you a little something about being married to a guy who knows how to do everything, and do it well: you probably don't know how to do anything. Blake lovingly but clearly asserted his expectations when it came to renovating, and it has given me an eye for detail that I could have gone my whole life not having and been perfectly content. Despite the fact that Blake's insistence on a job well done has often caused me to groan and say "literally no one is going to inspect that little place on the top of the door frame where some of the paint peeled with the tape," it has given me a deeper look into who Blake is. I have also found a deeper meaning and reasoning behind Colossians 3:23-24: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward." So, no, whoever might potentially own this house after us may not notice every tiny detail we have slaved over to make this house beautiful, but God will notice when we are good stewards of what He has given us. More on this later, because it's going to need a blog post all its own.
After working so hard on kilzing the living room and having it completely prepped for painting, we went to pick out the paint color for the room. We discovered that Lowe's was having a huge paint sale, so Blake knew exactly what to do to make my creativity-driven and beauty-craving heart leap for joy: we picked and purchased paint colors for the entire house.
*sigh* He just gets me.
I do have one little bit of bad news that I know is going to upset you, readers: I thought I had an after picture of the living room, but sadly I do not. However, as we are moving in today, we recently pulled up the carpet and will be cleaning the hardwood floors today, so as soon as that is done I will have Blake take a beautiful panoramic view of the now transformed living room. I could be partial, but I think it's pretty amazing.
***EDIT***
Okay, so I know you all were disappointed that there was no living room after picture, so let me explain. Because we had so much patchwork and painting to do to all of the places with hardwood flooring, we left the carpet so we didn't have to worry about getting paint on the floor. So, after we finished patching and painting the living room, we didn't take an after picture because the carpet was still there. Now, the carpet is up, but the floor in the living room isn't finished because all of our stuff is being temporarily stored there. However, I do have a little bit of transformation I can show you. I have some good pictures that give you an idea of how good the living room looks now, but the carpet is still there. Once we finish the floor, we will take some really great panoramic photos of the living room (and with that gorgeous fireplace all nice and clean *insert heart eyes emoji here*). Plus, I promise that in the next day or two I am going to have a blog post up that will show the ENTIRE transformation of our dining room. :)
Here is Blake after he had cleaned up and repaired the hole in the ceiling that resulted from the leaky roof.
Then he perfectly fit a piece of drywall up there to replace it.
One of my absolute favorite things about this house is that all of the original windows are still in, and they all work. They are absolutely stunning, so I made sure to get some pictures showing them look even more stunning as the walls around them changed. Here is one window in the living room: this is with patches and the original weird orangy-pink-salmonesque wall color.
During, with the kilz drying.
After, with the tape removed and all that beautiful wood cleaned. You can also see a bit of the white ceiling with the most perfect shade of white I have ever seen.
Look at that ceiling, y'all! Also, the corner showed in this picture is the one that was a big moldy mess. Now it is perfectly pristine :)
Sorry again for leaving you hanging, and to kind of leave you hanging again. We are hoping to have the living room floor cleaned this week, but we are focusing on getting our water turned on so that we can actually stay in the house and get LOTS of work done!
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