Tip runs and unsupported joists

It was my birthday weekend, but that didn’t stop Jon whipping me into action (just on the house unfortunately). I was allowed a moderate lie-in (8am), a quick breakfast with Dad, a glance at the crossword and then we were off. It sounds brutal and I joke to everyone about my life now being all about ‘working on the house’, but the problem is, as we are doing nearly everything ourselves and both work full-time, we only have evenings and weekends on which to do anything, so have to make the most of every opportunity. If we didn’t make the sacrifices, it would be 2021 by the time we move in!

Confession: Of course, I am not nearly this matter-of-fact in my communications with Jon and instead drag my feet and moan about missing drinks or social events.

For me, the weekend was spent doing more paint stripping, the joy of which was interspersed with some rubble tidy up, car loading and tip runs. Jon was removing the boiler and old pipes, digging out tonnes of earth from the kitchen (we need to create space under the floorboards for the damp course*) and ripping up floorboards from the upstairs bathroom.

This last task filled me with all kinds of fear, as not only was he leaping between the floor joists like a gazelle (apparently he does this every day for his work, but still!), but we also found that some of the joists didn’t even go into the wall! The old chimney stack also wasn’t supported, so Jon had to remove it, leaving a huge hole in the ceiling, which I felt inexplicably drawn to whenever I went within a few metres. Rather like when I’m crossing the suspension bridge and get an urge to throw my keys over the edge. Bizarre.

I don’t know whether it’s because we are quite visible going to and from the house to the car with rubble sacks 100 times a day, or because the street is quite quiet, but everyone seems to be super friendly. At least 3 neighbours, all around our age, came over and introduced themselves while we were working yesterday. The house is a great conversation starter and I love their reaction (always slightly shocked) when we show them inside. But I also love the fact that they have all promised (when we are not in filthy work attire) to show us inside their finished homes. Can’t wait to have a nosy and get inspiration, as all the houses are structurally almost identical.

So many bricks to get rid of. And this is just the start!

Last week Jon took down the wall between the original kitchen and dining room. It’s so nice for me to finally be able to see how much space we will have for our open plan kitchen, as I found it hard to visualise, much to Jon’s frustration. With the bifold doors leading out into the garden, I think it’s going to feel really spacious.

Taking down the wall however meant LOTS of bricks to get rid of. Took ages moving them out to the front of the house and I was mentally adding them to the long list of things to take to the tip. Instead, we listed them as a free item on Facebook Marketplace and thankfully 2 people have already come round and made a bit of a dent, so I’m hoping they may all eventually disappear.

Speaking of the tip, I hate hate hate doing tip runs now. It’s mainly because I am such a super law-abiding citizen(!), that after finding out you can only take 6 bags a week (what the F**k!), I am dreading having to explain to the attendant why I have 20 bags in my car and why it’s the third time that day they have seen me. One of them already recognises me and has let me off, but I have to have these awkward chats with him whilst lugging sacks. Not sure it’s worth it!

Got home on Sunday evening and the work didn’t stop. Had to unload a tonne of wood, clean my car as the poor little thing was an absolute state, and then start/tend the bonfire for a few hours. It’s lucky I’m not someone who cares about having nice nails as mine are now a complete disgrace!

*Correction. Jon would like me to point out my mistake that we are not digging out the floor for the damp course itself (this will be above floor level), rather to create sub-floor ventilation.