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[clocktor]

I took apart a chunk of my house.

It started, innocently enough, with a discussion about how the carpet (which had been there since the 90s) was attached to the stairs. That led, as it naturally does (work with me here) to tearing all the carpet OFF the stairs.

It was filthy underneath.

Comments

[wantedonvoyage]

Good to hear from you and I envy your gifts!

One of our genius tenants couldn't get a piece of furniture up the stairs and--instead of doing the wise thing and leaving it at the curb--they took it upon themselves to dismantle the banister. I, unlike you, have no idea how to reassemble it or if it's even possible. I have thought about having someone fabricate a wrot-iron one but it's low on the list. Nobody comes here.

[clocktor]

Oh my god - who DOES that? Take apart a significant part of a house you’re renting? Time to get an estimate from a carpenter to put it back together and charge them accordingly.

It makes sense to me now that I’ve taken it apart, but I think even reading about how to put it together had I not experienced it would confuse me no end.

[wantedonvoyage]

They were such nightmare tenants that this doesn't even make the top ten. As I posted at the time, there should be a word for the feeling you have when you come home and realize it's your house the ambulance is in front of... and another word for when this no longer even surprises you.

One of them, now deceased, was both an alcoholic and a diabetic (not a good combo) who also abused painkillers. He became actively suicidal numerous times in the less than a year that they lived here. His partner used to leave him here alone and go to their other house, with one or another younger plaything who was ill-equipped to look after him. We were afraid to initiate eviction proceedings despite numerous violations of the lease because I could just see being accused of discriminating against his illness, but thankfully they agreed to leave on their own.

Last time I'll live with someone I haven't known for years.

[clocktor]

Yeeesh! Talk about a nightmare. Are they still there? Besides the dead one, I mean...

[restoman]

That is a daunting project that you have taken on! I have done this process several times myself. I am glad to see that you lettered or numbered all the parts.

When it is done, consider a carpet runner installed with carpet rods instead of wall-to-wall type installation. Also consider a temporary post and rope railing for short-term safety.

I am confident that you have the skills to do a great job on it, but if you run into problems feel free to contact me.

[clocktor]

I thought of you while doing this. “Glen would know what to do.”

I can easily imagine how this would have gone had I not made up a diagram. Theoretically, a bunch of parts should be identical, but this thing was hand-built in 1930, so even the regular spacers should be put back in their original spots or things can go awry.

I’ll send you a PM with some questions...

[clocktor]

Oh, and I love the idea of the rods to hold the carpet down, but they are apparently prohibitively expensive. If you know a source that isn’t outrageous, please let me know!

[changeling72]

You dirty bastards.

This was all just an excuse for a summer project, wasn't it?

I agree, it would be a shame to cover it up again. Perhaps a narrow stair carpet with brass stair rods, displaying the wooden stairs either side?

[clocktor]

I love the idea of the stair rods, but they are apparently prohibitively expensive.

And yes, I needed a summer project that would be cheap and labor-intensive. All I need to spend money on (so far) is a can of paint stripper!