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threwthelookinggrass OP t1_ja8ubuc wrote

So yeah that's part of why I'm posting here, to find out what I don't know.

The room directly above the kitchen is a bedroom. This is the only room in the house that has a ceiling this low. I guess I just don't understand why they'd go through the trouble of removing the plaster from the walls but put a drop ceiling in. There's no hvac or plumbing that goes through the false ceiling. The only electric going through it is for lights in the false ceiling.

If there is a leak it's probably from the wood panels under the siding, which is in poor condition in some places from what I've seen. It is indeed a timber framed house.

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therealw00zy t1_ja8zas0 wrote

You might want to test the old plaster for asbestos while you're testing the paint for lead.

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threwthelookinggrass OP t1_ja93hh2 wrote

I haven't tested the plaster, I already had a guy come test for asbestos before I found out about the plaster.

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9yr0ld t1_ja8vlsw wrote

I doubt there is any leak. that would show through the ceiling in time. you mentioned there is no insulation on the exterior wall there. so that's what is causing possible mold growth --- condensation from cold air meeting warm air in this space.

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threwthelookinggrass OP t1_ja8wvu7 wrote

Is the mold concern coming from the color of the vapor barrier of the insulation? I know that the insulation dates to around 1970 based on the parts I've already replaced in the lower walls. It wouldn't surprise me if there are small holes in the side paneling and I really doubt it has a moisture barrier on the outside.

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9yr0ld t1_ja8xa90 wrote

the vapor barrier and the studs by that vapor barrier look a little suspect. but I'm judging based on two pictures without much detail.

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ToolemeraPress t1_ja8y7cv wrote

I believe they wanted to preserve the Penn Dutch stenciling along the top of the wall. You’re dealing with a timber framed or hybrid timber/balloon frame. That changes what and how you renovate. Typically there is no half way. You gut to the original framing and horizontal plank wall structure. Examine what is or is not there and make plans on the fly.

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ToolemeraPress t1_ja8zg7t wrote

Do you know the original date of the house? Are there additions? A pic of the house will help.

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threwthelookinggrass OP t1_ja95835 wrote

The county says it’s 1900. It’s a two story side by side duplex. The only addition to house is a two story porch that reaches the bottom of the second story bedroom window (the bedroom above the kitchen im working on).

The porch was put on the 80s I think.

The porch is through the wall my light is on in this picture. The white shit at the bottom is all dust.

https://i.imgur.com/wMjg98f.jpg

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ToolemeraPress t1_ja9k73h wrote

Most likely it was a single family split into a duplex. In any event you have a bunch of demo first, plans second.

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threwthelookinggrass OP t1_ja9mp8e wrote

I've wondered about that but I think it's always been a duplex. It has separate basements, shows up on maps around 1900 as being two addresses, and has transoms over the entrance doors. This area was very working class around that time and this would have been a large house and pretty crappy house for someone who could afford a house this big.

But yeah, just trying to get all my ducks in a row to make an informed decision on the demo.

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