As we were interviewing contractors and collecting estimates, we began to explore the house to determine exactly what contracting was needed.
The first, and sadly undocumented, apparent repair was to the plumbing, as we had a sewage backup the second week we were in the house. Good to know.
Also, the PVC sewer pipe that led to said sewage leak was felt, by us, to be both unsightly and potentially poisonous.
Not to mention idiosyncratically installed.
Random metal straps suspended from the ceiling and decorated with clay figurines
A pulley-hook-coat-hanger contraption
Uh... a plough-hitch?
Lucky, expressing our shared emotion
I’m going to point out here that the ideal cellar door, being, you know, a door, does not actually allow you to experience the outdoors when closed. I feel like maybe seeing the sky from the basement may be a poor sign of things to come.
Lights on: Looks good.
Lights off: Sun comes in. Also rain.
This is the step that might kill you.
Remember -- it's this one
And – you may hear this phrase more than once – silver roofing paint on the basement masonry. SILVER ROOFING PAINT ON THE 200-YEAR-OLD BASEMENT FREAKING MASONRY, PEOPLE.
Why? Why? WHY?!?
Okay. I’m being escorted away from the computer. More to come after Lucky administers a sedative.
Meanwhile, the cats seem generally okay with the state of things.