Skwerl's new cabin

[Shaggy]

Wow, that kitchen is destroyed! I can't wait to follow yet another house fix up like I have been with Gabe's.

So you can't do anything until close right, and that's in 45 days?

 

[skwerl]

I can shop, although I need to be careful not to spend my closing funds because I can't hit my credit cards until after closing.

Found this last night.
http://ocala.craigslist.org/mat/4920788533.html
They look perfect for replacing my sliding glass doors and the door from the kitchen to the garage. I spoke with the seller and he is asking $700 for both doors, which sounds like a screaming deal. I'm driving up tomorrow to look at them (with $700 in my pocket).

 

[tjm73]

Kitchen to garage will require a fire door. Unless that door has a fire rated glass panel in it (I'm sure it does not because $$$$$) don't use it there.

Home owners insurance would deny a claim if the wrong door was used.

 

[skwerl]

It's an exterior door, I'm certain it meets whatever codes are necessary or else Lowe's wouldn't have sold it in the first place. It's a thousand times better than the empty busted door frame between the kitchen and garage right now. I'm not concerned with some obscure insurance policy requirement, not my style to worry about bureaucratic crap like that. I will feel very secure with that door between my kitchen and garage.

 

[tjm73]

I work for a window and door company. Kitchen into garage is not exterior. A fire door is required to meet occupancy and life safety codes, but if you want to risk it that's your business. I hope you never have a fire in the garage while you are sleeping or not home. Because it'll come through that door in less than 5 minutes and start the inside of the house on fire. A fire door will give the FD about 45 minutes time to get there and stop it.

 

[skwerl]

OK, cool. I just got back from Ocala with my new doors. I'll keep it in mind but plan on using them regardless.

 

[NastyStang113]

That would be pretty horrible to have a fire and not be covered by insurance because of it. That would be my main worry beyond family member's safety.

 

[weather man]

Trade one for a fire door.

 

[skwerl]

I'm sorry but it's not a concern. If by some horrible chance something does ignite in my garage and catches the house on fire, it will more than likely spread through the attic constructed of sap filled pine lumber faster than it would burn through that door. And in that case the house would be a total loss regardless.

I'm not concerned about it in the least. I keep several fire extinguishers in my house, shop and on the work truck. I want a window in the door between my kitchen and my garage. I'm using it no matter how long you guys want to discuss it, but this is my final post on the topic of fire codes for doors.

 

[NastyStang113]

Alright but that still doesn't change the insurance issue. No one is trying to pick on you though. Everyone here is only trying to be helpful and look out for you. Hope you see it that way.

 

[5.0 Probie]

Hey Brian...

Great looking doors.

And, the advice you are getting is sound. Please feel free to do as you like, but I would like to add a little info...

What kills most folks is not the "Fire" it is the carbon monoxide. Most have fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Yet still perish.

Most homes have a fire wall all the way up to the ceiling between the garage and the home. Is this not the case for your home?

When the insurance company investigates and does not pay the claim, do you really think your response is going to be "Meh, I used the door I wanted to. I will just pay to build my home again out of my pocket. No big deal"? Or... "WTF is the deal, why do we pay for insurance, getting attorney and so on".

When you go to sell the home this is one item that at least in Washington State, is a requirement for any financing. It is that big of a problem. I learned that when we purchased our current home. They had an exterior door for the fire door and an interior door for a back door exit from the garage. I HATE the solid ugly door. But the nice one with glass was like $4k.

Anyway, good luck with your choice. Looking forward to seeing your house becoming a home...

 

[ford20]

I might have missed it but are you going to have anyone come in to take care of the mold?

 

[quiksilver15]

Think he's just going to replace the Sheetrock that has mold. Am I reading that right Skwerl? Good luck on the new fixer upper!

 

[skwerl]

I might have missed it but are you going to have anyone come in to take care of the mold?

95% of the mold is in the master bedroom closet and master bathroom. I'll cut out the worst of it, will only take a couple sheets of drywall. I'm also removing all the baseboard in the entire house as it's ugly and beat up as well as having some mold in some areas. After all the drywall patching is done I'll prime the walls with Kilz before painting. I have a buddy who does all phases of construction and he's doing the majority of my drywall work for me. I will help where I can but sometimes it's best to know your limitations and just stay out of the way unless your assistance is needed.

All the interior doors are pretty beat up as well as being painted white. I can buy pre-hung interior doors with a natural wood finish ready for stain for about $60-75 each. For less than $1000 I'll replace every door in the entire house and it will really freshen up the look of the place. I'm not digging the white on white on white.

 

[tjm73]

Have you found the source of the mold? It will come back if you haven't.

 

[skwerl]

Something flooded part of the house a long time ago. The carpet in the bedrooms is very thick and my guess it got wet and stayed wet for a while. I see the garbage disposal in the kitchen is one source of a leak but I'm not entirely sure where the water in the master bedroom came from. I will be completely rebuilding the master bath so if there's any issues there it will get replaced.

I believe the stains on the ceilings are old, probably from before the roof got replaced. I was in the house during a heavy rainstorm and could see no evidence of current leaks.

 

[skwerl]

Lots of good news today in spite of the date (Friday the 13th). Fannie Mae returned the signed contract to my agent last night so we are finally moving forward on the sale. Next step is securing the mortgage (I'm already pre approved) and I am doing that Monday afternoon.

I also got a check today from my very good friend who is helping me out with this purchase, he's paying off my car loan for me. I need the car loan off my credit report in order to qualify for the mortgage. He's 'buying' my car for the loan payoff amount and we may cancel the sale after I close on the house.

 

[Wes06]

hah

sneaky sneaky skwerl

goodluck on this new house

 

[5.0 Probie]

Lots of good news today in spite of the date (Friday the 13th). Fannie Mae returned the signed contract to my agent last night so we are finally moving forward on the sale. Next step is securing the mortgage (I'm already pre approved) and I am doing that Monday afternoon.

I also got a check today from my very good friend who is helping me out with this purchase, he's paying off my car loan for me. I need the car loan off my credit report in order to qualify for the mortgage. He's 'buying' my car for the loan payoff amount and we may cancel the sale after I close on the house.

Awesome! In case the mortgage broker/processor did not tell you. You will likely have to write a letter explaining any deposit over $2500 for the last 30-90 days and explaining why the car was paid off. Totally normal procedure...

 

[skwerl]

Things are still moving along, although slowly. Seems I'm making my mortgage broker earn his commission on this deal. Should have final approval on the mortgage Monday or Tuesday and then the papers are already signed to get the survey and appraisal done.

Legally I'm not supposed to enter the house but I've never been much for stupid rules. The garage door is unlocked and since the opener has been removed I can just open the garage door and walk in.

Today I stopped by to get some measurements and while I was there decided to grab a 5 gallon bucket and flush the toilets using water from the pool. The well pump is on but water to the house is shut off due to leaks. I previously noticed the garbage disposal in the kitchen is leaking badly so any water run in that side of the sink will leak under the cabinet. Today I discovered the other leak in the master bathroom is coming from the toilet. The seal between the tank and bowl is leaking so if there's water in the tank then it's leaking on the floor. This is likely the source of water damage in the master bath, master bedroom and also under the wall into the main bathroom.

I also measured the tile sizes and I happen to have a couple boxes of off white floor tile the same size as what is in the kitchen. Hopefully I can use it to patch in the gaps when I pull the cabinets out and reconfigure the layout with the other cabinets I have.

Again, this isn't permanent and it's not going to be featured in next month's Home and Garden magazine. I'm just trying to get the place functional without spending $30K on upgrades all at once. Once I'm settled in I can work on upgrades as I can afford them.