I’m a termite technician in Asheville NC. Getting that treatment was one of the best investments you have made. It might take up to 90 days for the colony to collapse, but then you’re protected. And termites can forage up to 100 yards. So the queen could be almost a football field away. Great videos, I’m hooked! Can’t wait to watch the progress.
Depending on how long they’ve been there, they could be anywhere. But that treatment should be perfect. Watch for swarming in the spring. Now that you have those drill holes around the foundation, you’ll start seeing them everywhere. So many houses and businesses have them. Can’t wait to watch the next show.
This certainly is a world with almost no room for complacency 🥴.Courage certainly is a prerequisite and you appear to have sufficient,you brave soul you .❤
This is exactly what a termite technician would say! I think it is dependant on the structure, I live somewhere where termites are not uncommon, but all the houses are brick. Wood is only in the roof. My place hasn't been treated for around 30 years and the roof is absolutely fine, because it is a pain for termites to find a way in. Termite treatment salesmen (know your not the sales guy) will tell you anything to get your cash in my experience. I decided to just check the roof space every year instead.
I wish we had an accompanying video series from when the house was built a hundred years ago, with guys explaining their process in an old, thick Philly accent. Anyway, maybe this series can be a fun curiosity for a fella in the 2120s.
The prep work and turning red flags into green is the most hardest/costly but also the most rewarding part of any job. I hope you all the best, I can see the vision and it's coming along great.
Minecraft is what got me obsessed with architecture! Fun fact, this channel was used for minecraft timelapse videos when I was in highschool, but I made all those videos private
As someone who lives in a 1890s row home in Baltimore, I have thoroughly enjoyed your RU-vid series. As a licensed home inspector, hopefully the next time you buy a house, you at least get a home inspection for informational purposes 😁. I love the way that you were going about this process, and I truly think that your ability to take the bad news and turn it into positive is really impressive. I also want to point out that one of the best things that we did for our old rowhome was to have a weatherization company come out and air seal our attic space and exposed framing connections in the basement before adding insulation. That so far is hands-down the best thing that we have done for our home, excited to see the rest of the series!
Just in doing landscaping at my own home, I've discovered slow isn t always bad. I was about to plant an unusual, expensive azalea when it rained for a week last month. Sitting on my covered patio, drinking my coffee and watching the rain, it dawned on me that I could move some liriope from another flower bed I was replacing to run across the back of the border in the new location. A few days later, it's another "duh" moment when I realize the fence needs to be stained before I start digging, which is where I should have started to begin with. Now, I'm waiting for the fence to dry out so I can stain it. Patience my friend! You'll do a million dollars in sweat equity on that house but I think it will be amazing!
Thank you for the wisdom! And I relate to your revelations. I have changed my design so much once I started doing some demo, and seeing damage etc. Rome wasn't built in a day as they say.
I’m going through the slow process of getting a permit that has forced me to redesign my project twice. Now I see why so many people build without a permit.
I love historic buildings, vintage architecture, and bootstrapping DIY. You also closely resemble my deceased friend Darbin Hoetker. As such, I find this channel to be pretty special. Thank you for sharing the journey.
LOL...I like the "UGH" Sound Effect and the cost of it "PoP Up"......Thats what goes through my head when I have to fix something on my Car or any other thing!...Hahaha
The termite treatment is, though an obvious necessity, a great investment. Expensive? Yes. Peace of mind- priceless. Good to see the return of the desk/ radiator cover- I have named it Ray. Can’t wait to see more progress!
@@ChrisHytha you’ll, unfortunately, probably find more things that make you wonder what exactly were they doing for the house. Including, but not limited to, that water damage.
Really like your videos. The diagrams inserted are VERY helpful. Request: Please leave them on screen longer (maybe move to the corner of screen?) so we get a little more time to get oriented. Would also love longer vids when you can. Thanks!
Maybe make them full screen, or an overlay? It's hard to switch focus to the picture when there are two subjects in the frame (you and the picture), and the picture isn't where you're looking. Then you only need to show it for a few seconds because you know everyone will focus on it immediately.
Nice! I just found your series today, and you're bringing a new video today, too. Awesome. Keep going. It's also pretty chill to watch someone who knows what they are doing and is not winging it like a lot of the restoration videos today. It's not wrong to do that, but it's kind of refreshing to see something else.
Glad you found the series! I may have experience on the architectural side, but I have never renovated a home before, so its a learning process for me as well! Its scary, but also really nice to get out of my comfort zone, and learn a ton through the process.
what's flashing? What does it do? For some reason I love the way you say "joist" it's such a funny word. Learning a lot about joists on this channel lol
You know I love my joists! The point of flashing is provide protection from moisture. If the window was against wood, and water worked its way in through wind driven rain or something, the wood would rot. The flashing at the bottom of the window is always sloped to the outside so that any water that gets into the assembly can get kicked out to the exterior. Hope that helps!
I like the sound effects you‘ve put in. Maybe make them a little less loud for the future but it shows of your good humour. I just watched all current episodes in one sitting. So yeah I‘m looking forward for the future! When you put the trash bag on the outside hole in the wall I couldn’t stop laughing, as that was my first thought as well as a home owner haha. Good luck and enjoy!
Loving the series! I only lived in Philly for two years but I fell in love with the row homes, looking forward to seeing the end results of your renovation!
Hiya. Goodness me is there no end to your talents.😂😂. You are absolutely brilliant. Can’t wait to see how the renovation turns out. Back in the 80s I was a designer of children’s wear but I’ve always been fascinated by art deco & Novo. Well done with your book looks brilliant.
it might take a year or two, but I hope your videos gets lots of views, and the ad rev from these videos helps pay for all the money you are spending on the renovation 😂
That is the dream! For now I'll just keep refining my video making skills, and keep moving forward on the house. My mortgage payments at $1,300, and I think it is actually possible to cover that next month through youtube adsense! I really appreciate everyone who tunes in for these videos.
Hahaha! Climbing down out of the attic, and trying to lift that window into place were hysterical. Glad you can keep a sense of humor about all of it. Those flashing red negative numbers would probably be a killjoy for me.
Continuing to love this content. I did notice the audio a little offsync around 5:30. Couldn't tell you if it was that way earlier, but thats when I noticed it.
Thanks! I just looked at that part, and didn't see a delay, its possible that it was on your end because of internet connection, or headphone delay or something, either way, thanks for the heads up
Great update 2x👍 Good to see the termite man out dealing with them. It might be worth asking the neighbours if they have a problem with termites too. I remember my parents renovating a house when I was 4. We had NO electric, NO running water in the house (1 tap in the yard) and the toilet in a sable block out back. I own t hat home now some 55 years later, its sold sand stone blocks 18 inchs thick built in the late 16th century.
I have talked to a few neighbors about termites, but it is hard to see them until you open up the walls. I recommended that they have a similar treatment done.
I hope that window guy knows about how beautiful a shot that you set up was @ 7:04 that he was in. I’d use that for all my advertising. The ‘One Way’ sign is so good. Love this series so much, been here since the beginning, it’s so gorgeously done.
I can only do so much in a week! I hope once real construction starts I will have a lot more progress to document in each video. Its going to be several weeks of just waiting for the city to review my drawings, so videos might be a bit sparse until we get going!
@@-KlimpeN- That will be a field decision. The 2nd floor doesn't seem to have a noticeable slope to it, so we might be able to just reinforce the wall where it is at
@ChrisHytha Wish I can help you but you're too far away and you have it handled anyway. Keep in mind an old saying, One hand for the job the other for yourself to hold on! Safety first have fun!
i rlly commend ur hope here. the way u just keep steaming on despite the endless setbacks is for sure doing good for your mentality/health and is super inspiring. best of luck with all of this.
Binging your videos I’m in the Philly area all the time (live in south jersey, cherry hill area). So funny seeing you wearing a workhorse brewing co shirt! I’m like yooo I’ve been there! Keep it up man! Cheers 🍻
On the window removal you missed a step. The proper application of profanity is usually a crucial step. I’m really enjoying this series. Keep up the good work.
In south Florida where I grew up, they tent and fumigate homes for termites. I don’t think they are subterranean there like they are here in the mid-Atlantic.
Loving this series. You're doing a great job keeping it interesting. I don't know how this isn't more popular. Do you plan on making some feature length videos in the future? Apparently they're great for CPM and could help bring more viewers if they get good views.
I will definitely make an all in one video that like 1hr+ when its all said and done, and I'll try to make each week longer when there is more progress happening! Thanks for your support!
Back in the day do you think his house was some kind of shop? I know the corner properties were stores/bars before and I saw he uncovered the decorative support beam and I feel like businesses with covered entrances had those.
That might have been a bit of an exaggeration, lol I've been stretched a bit thin with the whole house buying process, and the added task of weekly videos, but working on my own home, and living in it for many years and admiring the work of my own hands is high on the priority list!
love this content learning with you haha not sure if this can help but when it comes to adding switches look at lutron and pecos might help and save money in long run vs tearing apart to rewire.
I didn't get an estimate for a full rebuild. Once we get into it there is a chance we rebuild just that one portion of wall on the north side, but we will see. I would imagine a brand new build (+cost to tear down) would be at least 300k, and the renovation is 150-200k with the addition.
I decided to leave my job in architecture to pursue an independent career in art and design. Rather than getting paid hourly, I now own all my IP, and have many streams of income like licensing, product sales, commissioned projects, etc. My website is linked in my bio if you want to see more of what I do. I created a book over the past few years, and sold my first 2,000 copies. The nice thing about product sales, now that the main work of creation is behind me, is that my time is freed up to do projects like this, while I can still make an income selling the books, which requires less direct work from me. Another big thing is living below my means for many years to save up!
Don’t be surprised if you have to make a visit to the basement of the Municipal Services Building - sometimes you have to go there to get face to face with L&I. Sometimes you can also use 311 to get help, worth a try if you’d prefer to not make the trip downtown.
@@ChrisHytha - sometimes it’s the only way to get things done. At least the workers there seem to be more friendly than they were decades ago when I went there as a kid with my parents.
Thanks for following the project! I cant wait too to get going with building this place back up. Tough decision to make of paying $2,000 to get my permit review expediated to save time
Are you looking at contractors who have their EPA RRP since that house is old enough that lead paint is likely there? Lots of them lack that credential.
Looking at philly area houses and passed over this one! Glad I did since I wouldn't have done a total reno and wouldn't have caught the termites for a while. Ever looking for a hand in the proj though reach out!
This was great & definitely good practice for your own house. I was wondering if you’d consider taking some of the time while you’re waiting to introduce the Philadelphia row house typology, including some structural & architectural details that make it unique to the area? As a fellow architect who prefers what you’re doing & considering relocating to PHL, I’d greatly appreciate it! While your drawings & models are great (need a little more screen time though😉), it’s not very comprehensible without understanding the typology itself.
I would use the time to start scoping out sources for finishes. I saved a lot and found higher quality products. Most stuff at Home Depot is less than high quality. Try looking at a building restoration center. For example I got my whole kitchen for $5k. It was a tear out from a Hamptons mansion. Included marble tops and 8 foot island. Would have cost $40k since they were nonstandard height which worked well in my parlor floor.
Not full time. I have a variety of different jobs going right now, but I can manage my own time to make it all work. The life of an independent designer!
I would NOT have picked that window to replace. Fill it with plants. It seems to be on the front of the house, so use some pretty static cling for privacy. Just personal preference.
Would it make sense to take out the beam while using a lvl as a temporary substitute? You could put the lvl under the joists temporarily jacking the ceiling/roof up so you could entirely replace the wall. You said the floor was sunk and the facade of the wall was bowing out so you could run the jacks through the ground floor in between the ground floor joists. That way you could easily take out the wall, re level the foundation sill and ground floor, while simultaneously water proofing the new sill plate. Put a new water proof skin Vs trying to do it piece mail will cost you more in labor vs. doing it right all at once. Previously you mentioned redoing the sill plate and wall. So why not go a little further and completely fix the problem while insuring that you will have no future problems. That way you have a full strength wall that will last another 100+ years. You could probably find some cheap jacks near you on marketplace. That plus a bunch of other old construction materials to save money. Architecture salvage yards and building reuse places are great ways to get building materials pennies on the dollar or unique time appropriate pieces. Best of luck!
I have been starting to think the same thing. Mostly, this will be a on site decision made with my contractor / framing sub, determining if it would just be cheaper to rebuild this wall from the ground up. A bonus is that new 2x6 would allow for proper insulation rather than working with the EX. 3" cavity.
A new stick frame wall might be cheaper than steel reinforcement lol. That beam is really just an overly reinforced top plate. I’m also surprised the engineer is making him replace the existing beam below the current 3rd floor wall, since that wall is being removed for the addition it should just be a new joist. Paying for 1 LVL is cheaper than 2!
@@frank-lg6vc True that the load on the beam is less with that wall removed, but the main constraint was the ceiling height below the beam, it couldn't be too deep. Also, that beam has not one, but two floor openings framed into it, so it takes a considerable load from the floor. I too wish it could be a few 2x8s stacked together, but its not in the cards.
I'm just curious. Someone may have asked, but on the plans, I see a window on the other building. Is the other building occupied ? I'm just wondering if they know their window will be blocked? 😆
