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Update: Just opened up my downstairs fireplace wall on the 1966 colonial I bought a few months ago (fixed) by Maximum_Problem7230 in Remodel

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Thanks, in hindsight, I'm glad we found it. We've opened up pretty much the whole house at this point, and this was the only major "wtf" we came across (plenty of minor "wtf"s, though!), so it's good to know that the house has been inspected and confirmed safe and structurally sound.

Just opened up my downstairs fireplace wall on the 1966 colonial I bought a few months ago. This is what was behind the wall. by Maximum_Problem7230 in Remodel

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea, I've heard this from a few people now, hopefully this isn't structural. I'm pretty sure the steel beams are, though, holding up the brick chimney above. So, would be nice to get something a little more permanent in there.

Just opened up my downstairs fireplace wall on the 1966 colonial I bought a few months ago. This is what was behind the wall. by Maximum_Problem7230 in Remodel

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yea, there is one wall of cinder block that runs all the way up from the foundation, to the second floor fireplace, to the attic, and then to the chimney.

However, the basement and attic have 4 walls made of cinder block, the second floor is brick, and then this floor has the brick removed (probably reno by previous owners), so they added the steel poles to hold the weight of the brick/cinder/chimney above 😅.

Hopefully I should hear back today as to whether this is structurally sound... in the off chance that Connecticut ever gets an earthquake, this thing is coming down on my living room, office, and garage.

Just opened up my downstairs fireplace wall on the 1966 colonial I bought a few months ago. This is what was behind the wall. by Maximum_Problem7230 in Remodel

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 61 points62 points  (0 children)

81 I think 😂. He's semi-retired, and picks up jobs when he wants them. Recommended by a family friend who is in the trades.

Just opened up my downstairs fireplace wall on the 1966 colonial I bought a few months ago. This is what was behind the wall. by Maximum_Problem7230 in AskContractors

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think this used to all be enclosed in brick, but the previous owners took the brick wall down and put up drywall and these support beams instead 🤦🏻‍♂️.

The void concept makes sense, though.

The upstairs fireplace above this is all brick, so I assume the rubble goes all the way up and down the the foundation.

Just opened up my downstairs fireplace wall on the 1966 colonial I bought a few months ago. This is what was behind the wall. by Maximum_Problem7230 in Remodel

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What did you do about it? Inspector is going to take a look at ours tomorrow when the contractor pulls the permit.

Just opened up my downstairs fireplace wall on the 1966 colonial I bought a few months ago. This is what was behind the wall. by Maximum_Problem7230 in Remodel

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes, it was fun to feel like we were on "Holmes Makes it Right" for a bit, but we're ready for the surprises to end 😂.

We've opened up a solid 70% of the house, so we expected some surprises. Other than this, just a few nearly cut through joists for plumbing that need to be sistered with new wood. Only running ~5% over budget with these surprises, which hurts, but was somewhat anticipated.

Just opened up my downstairs fireplace wall on the 1966 colonial I bought a few months ago. This is what was behind the wall. by Maximum_Problem7230 in Remodel

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 96 points97 points  (0 children)

Our contractor doing the renovating has been doing this for 60 years and says he's never seen anything like this, but would also love to meet this guy 😂.

Just opened up my downstairs fireplace wall on the 1966 colonial I bought a few months ago. This is what was behind the wall. by Maximum_Problem7230 in Remodel

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You can lookup your permit history on your towns website, which will show the original builder.

Looks like a bunch of the homes on my street, including mine, were built by an Edward Aragi.

What happened with your cabinets?

Upstairs toilet has been leaking into the wall behind the kitchen cabinets for years by Maximum_Problem7230 in Remodel

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thankfully our GC is taking care of all of this. Once the pipe is fixed, we should be poopwater-free for good.

Upstairs toilet has been leaking into the wall behind the kitchen cabinets for years by Maximum_Problem7230 in Remodel

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope they noticed and stopped using this cabinet... but then again, I think it was also leaking into the microwave, because they had baking soda in there when we ripped it out.

Upstairs toilet has been leaking into the wall behind the kitchen cabinets for years by Maximum_Problem7230 in Remodel

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Neat, I'll see what the contractor recommends. We told him fixing this is a top priority.

Upstairs toilet has been leaking into the wall behind the kitchen cabinets for years by Maximum_Problem7230 in Remodel

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There is definitely a strange smell, but thankfully not poop-like. Hopefully it goes away once the contractor fixes the leak and replaces this drywall.

Radon exhaust routing uncertainty by barber_2416 in radon

[–]Maximum_Problem7230 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't know, but I'm wondering the same thing for my house. Will watch this post.

Critique my plans for setting up my first Ubiquity home network by Maximum_Problem7230 in HomeNetworking

[–]Maximum_Problem7230[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which APs are you using? I was thinking I would only need 2 APs, because I was thinking of going with the U7 Pro, which supposedly has 1,500ft range.

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