Demolition

Our current plan is to build a small cottage on the concrete foundation at the back of the house.  Currently on that foundation are two bedrooms and a hallway, for a total of 400sf.  The drywall is mouldy, so we decided to start dismantling the walls and ceiling while we still have a floor to stand on.

The ceiling joists and roof rafters are dry!  Phew!

There appear to be plenty of nice, straight 2x6 - we'll be salvaging as much as we can for use in the new structure.

This corner is by far the worst.   This is where the floor had collapsed and we could see in from the outside.  The studs disintegrate when touched.  Not good!  I think we'll be investing in hard hats!  Seriously though, there is enough strength in the rest of the wall to support the roof while we work.  This, plus the rotting floor, make this part of the house unsalvageable.  We'll save what materials we can, and build again from the foundation up.

One room - 27 bags of garbage.  Yikes!  I think next time we'll get a dumpster.