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horaceunit
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# Posted: 12 Oct 2014 06:53pm
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I got my cabin on a short sale and it hadn't been lived in for awhile. The roof needs work and the indoor plumbing is shot. Seems someone ran the water to test it and there is no provision for draining the lines so of course they burst over last winter before I got it (purchased in March of this year). I have spent 2 weeks there so far this year, as well as a couple of weekends. The 2 weeks were at two different times and one was just a couple of weeks ago. Got some work done on the roof although it is really only going to be temporary. There was what appeared to be a stove pipe that was used as a vent for a propane tank less hot water heater. Wasn't done properly and had been leaking which is what needed to be fixed. I did that, but really the whole side roof had enough damage that I will probably have to take the whole thing off and redo it. The roof has been re-shingled once, and needs to have new shingles put on. I am leaning on just leaving the shingles on and installing a metal roof. Here are a couple of pictures showing before and after.
I also got the water holding tank working (the relay was dirty and wouldn't cycle) so I can at least get water from the well as there is a freeze proof well hydrant. Had to fill the toilet manually to use the facilities, and take a shower by using a couple of pitchers of warm water, but it works for now. Plumbing will be a priority for early next spring. I figure on just running CPVC under the cabin and using an electric on-demand hot water heater. No more holes in the roof for venting! Also there is only a kitchen sink, one bathroom with a sink, shower, and toilet so the plumbing shouldn't be too hard. Well it's coming along!
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bigriver
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# Posted: 12 Oct 2014 07:14pm
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Welcome! It looks like you have a real nice fixer upper.
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cabingal3
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# Posted: 12 Oct 2014 07:15pm
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nice place.seems like u know what to do to fix it up properly.its looking better already.thanks for sharing and cant wait to see the finished cabin.
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horaceunit
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# Posted: 12 Oct 2014 09:08pm
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Man I am learning as I go! I am very lucky as I know some people who live on the mountain including a guy I have known since I was a kid. He built his own place further up on the Mt. near where my best friends father had bought a cabin in the early 70's. This is why I know the area and when this place came up for sale I snatched it up. Anyway he helped me figure out the angle cuts for the new roof rafters as well as other advice. When we were taking a break and looking at the progress at one point he said to me in that central Virginia drawl "Well, we might just make a mountain man out of you yet." Never had a greater compliment than that! So I have a lot to learn, but fortunately I have some good teachers!
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horaceunit
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# Posted: 9 Mar 2016 07:31pm
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Long time sine I posted on this thread. Here is a quick up date- We had a new roof put on the cabin in November of 2015. Got a lot of work to do on the inside but at least the roof is good and we can start concentrating on other stuff.
New Roof 1
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New Roof 2
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New Roof 3
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abby
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2016 06:02am - Edited by: abby
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oh wow, I love it!! will be hoping for updates, as I can't wait to see inside. looks like a great size with so much to work with. you have sure done a great job.
how did you clean off all that moss on the roof? that is a battle here, especially on my little garden house. without sun hitting the north side, it really gets covered. I just hate it.
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Shadyacres
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2016 06:37am
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I can't believe how different it looks with a new roof and redwood stain ? on the porch and posts. Looks excellent and like you said you are in the dry now so take your time and enjoy.
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horaceunit
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2016 06:56am
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Easiest way to do the moss is with a leaf rake and a telescoping extension (Lowes/Home Depot have them) and just scrape it off. That was temporary as we actually had a whole new roof put on including about half of the plywood that needed replaced. I'm in my late 50's and 10 years ago I would have done it myself, but just decided not to chance it and we paid $6,500 to have it done by a local contractor. Time was also a big factor for me as I probably couldn't have done it all by myself at one time since I can't get to it for more than a week at a time. Actually the paint is Barn Red from Lowes which is what seems to have been on it before. Had to paint the new trim that was put up anyway so we did as much as we could on the rest too. I'll dig up some interiors and post them as well. Thanks for the response!
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horaceunit
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2016 07:00am
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Here are some interior shots for you!
DSCN1020.JPG
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DSCN1021.JPG
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stove.JPG
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WP_20151118_016.jpg
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2016 07:54am
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It's looking good! With the slope of that roof, you were very wise to hire it done! Your skills will be well put to use on many other things! Enjoy! What a beautiful property you have.
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Littlecooner
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2016 08:26am
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Great looking place. You should be proud of your purchase and hard work.
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LoonWhisperer
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# Posted: 10 Mar 2016 04:18pm
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Whoa! Extreme makeover. Well done! 
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abby
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2016 11:49am
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loved the interior photos!
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horaceunit
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2016 12:03pm
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I'll make it a point to get some more photos this weekend and get them posted. This will be our retirement home (in about 10-11 years) so there is a lot to do to get it ready for that. The loft really needs some work (It's basically just storage now) and we need to completely renovate the kitchen and bathroom. It's definitely a nice vacation place as is now, but knowing we will eventually be living there full time at some point makes a lot of changes necessary.
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hattie
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2016 04:42pm
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Amazing work! Congratulations on a fabulous makeover!
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horaceunit
Member
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2016 04:45pm
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Thanks for all the compliments gang! I wish I saw it that way, but every time I go up there all I see is the stuff I still need to accomplish! Oh well I guess that's just the way it is!
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horaceunit
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2016 05:00pm
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I just read through the whole thread and realized I left a lot out! The plumbing has been fixed and we have running water throughout and the commode and shower work. In one of the interior shots you can see an electric hot water heater on the wall in the kitchen. It holds 4 gallons so it is fine for washing dishes and getting ready to go to bed at night. You have about 4 minutes of hot water for a shower and then the tank takes about 20 minutes to come back to full heat. Generally we just take a "Navy" shower and get wet and turn the water off, soap up rinse. Same for shampooing your hair and you usually have enough for a decent shower. The nice thing is the water heater has quick disconnects and in the winter I drain as much as I can and then take it off the wall and dump it in the kitchen sink and leave it upside down so the water drains fully and I don't have to worry about it freezing up. I also made sure the pipes running from the bathroom to the kitchen are at a down angle and there are cutoff valves that punch down under the house so I can drain the pipes to winterize as well. No more frozen pipes! Another trick I learned from my local friend was to get some RV line anti-freeze and pour a half a cup or so into the sinks and toilet to keep the traps from freezing. That is why we are going this weekend to "un-winterize" for the upcoming season. Thanks again, I'll post again soon!
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neb
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2016 08:55pm
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You have done an outstanding job. Looks great!
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Gary O
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# Posted: 11 Mar 2016 10:51pm
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Quoting: horaceunit every time I go up there all I see is the stuff I still need to accomplish! Oh well I guess that's just the way it is!
it's never 'done'
but
you've done 'er up good so far, Horace
the other stuff won't be so pressing
looking forward to more
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horaceunit
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# Posted: 11 Apr 2016 06:57pm
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Spent a week at the cabin and got a few things done. The biggie was having 5 tons of gravel delivered. We carried it up the stairs one bucket full at a time to place it around the cabin for drainage. Then we spread the rest around the parking pad at the top of the driveway. We also power washed the deck and painted it so it won't deteriorate any more. I did some work on the deck pads at the bottom of the stairs since they were rotting and becoming dangerous to walk on. Got more to do but things are getting done each and every trip.
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horaceunit
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# Posted: 11 Apr 2016 06:59pm
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Trying to get some photos uploaded!
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horaceunit
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# Posted: 11 Apr 2016 07:02pm
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Again!
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spoofer
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# Posted: 12 Apr 2016 04:02pm
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If you are using anti-freeze in your camp, make sure it is not near your well-water source when you flush etc. Its pretty toxic.
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horaceunit
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# Posted: 12 Apr 2016 06:03pm
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Only time I use antifreeze is the RV type to keep the sink and commode traps from freezing in the winter. We have a septic system and I only use a small amount. Thanks though and it is good advice to anyone who has a cabin or even a house with a well.
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