BedStuy Reno
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July 3, 2006
State of the Lower Level
What had remained of the old kitchen on the lower level is gone. Most of the lower level is in fact now demo'd as far as we want to take it. We pulled down all the bad plaster on the back wall, and exposed the brick wall and studs. We plan to put insulation in there before we close it back up. Does anyone know about vapor barriors when dealing with brick walls? Should you put one in? If so, would it go on the warm side of the insulation, or the cold side?
There is still some of the old bathroom to deal with, and we are looking at the crumbling plaster on the hallway ceilings. In the kitchen we uncovered a cool old brick wall behind the cabinets. The palimpsest of the old hearth and coal stove is really nice. However, it seems the brick columns of the old hearth have been cut out, and the underside of the fireplace above on the parlor floor looks a little dubious, unsupported the way it is.
Comments
awesome ...I love demo
Posted by: electricgreek1 at July 3, 2006 12:31 PM
How are you guys dealing with all the dust?
Posted by: Greg at July 3, 2006 8:14 PM
We have sealed the top floor off with plastic and tape - this is where we are living in all this. Periodically, we spray down the dust as we work on the lower levels. We always wear our respirators, and at the end of whatever work we have done for the day, we shower . . .
Posted by: Peter at July 4, 2006 8:49 AM
vapor barriers are a good idea for exterior walls, and they always go on the warm side of the insulation....seems counter-intuitive, but true....
Posted by: bobby peru at July 4, 2006 10:44 PM
thanks Bobby Peru . . . glad to see you're reading the blog!
Posted by: Peter at July 5, 2006 7:53 PM
bobby peru is correct - vapor barriers always go on the warm sideof the insulation. you should check out the insulation. sometimes the vapor barrier comes 'attached'
Posted by: Anon at July 6, 2006 11:17 AM
Warm side, to keep vapor in, not rain out. They keep your breath and shower from condensing on a cold exterior wall and soaking the insulation.
Posted by: mikros at July 6, 2006 3:04 PM
I know what you were trying for by using "palimpsest" but that usage doesn't make sense, unless you are seeing something that doesn't show up in the pictures. Yes, I guess a smudgy outline is history, blah, blah, blah, but "outline" would have worked and would have been less pretentious.
Posted by: lolita at July 8, 2006 7:39 AM
pal·imp·sest
A manuscript, typically of papyrus or parchment, that has been written on more than once, with the earlier writing incompletely erased and often legible.
Posted by: dictionary.com at July 8, 2006 5:11 PM
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