Need advice for 1930s farmhouse
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 6:14 am
Hello,
First post here, so hopefully I'm in the right place. Our family has a farmhouse that was built, as near as we know, in the mid-30s (we are not the original owners). Our family used it as a summer cottage, so it's not currently lived in. No electricity, no plumbing.
The house has been neglected for quite a few years; I don't think it's been painted since the mid 80s(!). The siding is dry and brittle, and the stain has all but washed away. However, the interior of the house is in very nice condition, and I hate to see it rot away, so I've been wondering about what I can do to preserve it, or at least stop it from degrading further. Actually, I'm mostly wondering what I should do with the house: leave it be, fix it just enough to preserve, tear it down and re-purpose the wood, or maybe even find someone to take it away intact (which has been suggested).
Here are the issues that I'm aware of:
Given the overall condition, I'm not even sure where to start. I think my first priority is to evict the bees, as I figure that will at least prevent further damage and give me time to figure out what to do with the house. I've found someone to come and remove the bees, but I have no idea what will be exposed when the exterior is opened up, nor how I need to prepare for patching it up (both short- and long-term). I live 5+ hours away and only get there once or twice a year, so I have to plan for quick and efficient repairs (and I'm definitely no craftsman).
What am I facing? Has it gone too far and am I looking at a money pit? I hate to see something that old be wasted ("old" being relative), but then I don't know if it has any real value (I don't mean money, I mean as far as 1930s architecture and construction go), other than purely for sentimental reasons.
I've attached a few pictures, hopefully large enough to enjoy and to show details.
I look forward to any comments or suggestions!
Thanks,
Trevor
First post here, so hopefully I'm in the right place. Our family has a farmhouse that was built, as near as we know, in the mid-30s (we are not the original owners). Our family used it as a summer cottage, so it's not currently lived in. No electricity, no plumbing.
The house has been neglected for quite a few years; I don't think it's been painted since the mid 80s(!). The siding is dry and brittle, and the stain has all but washed away. However, the interior of the house is in very nice condition, and I hate to see it rot away, so I've been wondering about what I can do to preserve it, or at least stop it from degrading further. Actually, I'm mostly wondering what I should do with the house: leave it be, fix it just enough to preserve, tear it down and re-purpose the wood, or maybe even find someone to take it away intact (which has been suggested).
Here are the issues that I'm aware of:
- Bees: honeybees have been nesting in one exterior wall for 7+ years.
The roof: there are no missing (asphalt) shingles yet but they are definitely curling and degrading. Was replaced probably in the late 80s.
The siding: dry and brittle and starting to fall off. Woodpecker holes along one entire side.
Kitchen floor: slowly sagging into the cellar, as the cellar was never ventilated properly. A small vent was added sometime later, but it was likely insufficient.
Given the overall condition, I'm not even sure where to start. I think my first priority is to evict the bees, as I figure that will at least prevent further damage and give me time to figure out what to do with the house. I've found someone to come and remove the bees, but I have no idea what will be exposed when the exterior is opened up, nor how I need to prepare for patching it up (both short- and long-term). I live 5+ hours away and only get there once or twice a year, so I have to plan for quick and efficient repairs (and I'm definitely no craftsman).
What am I facing? Has it gone too far and am I looking at a money pit? I hate to see something that old be wasted ("old" being relative), but then I don't know if it has any real value (I don't mean money, I mean as far as 1930s architecture and construction go), other than purely for sentimental reasons.
I've attached a few pictures, hopefully large enough to enjoy and to show details.
I look forward to any comments or suggestions!
Thanks,
Trevor