Remodeling: Expect the Unexpected

There are many things to consider and prepare for when going through the remodeling process.  From the very first day we take considerable measures to educate our clients, set a level of expectations and make sure we communicate the process.  However, when dealing with a remodel, there is always the possibility of the unknown: things that could be lurking behind the walls and floor.

The phrase "we've seen it all" does not apply to the remodeling industry.  It seems there are always surprises turning up, regardless of the age of the home.  Anything from shoddy electrical or plumbing, chopped up framing, insufficient structural members, asbestos, mold and more.  These unwelcome surprises will not have you laughing, but mentally preparing yourself for these potential situations will help ease stress if they do arise.

This conversation was recently brought up on one of our job sites.  While working on a kitchen remodel on an older home, we encountered a leak in a nearby unrelated plumbing stack.  The original cast iron plumbing stack cracked, causing water to leak any time the toilet was flushed or the sink was used on the second floor.  The most likely cause was an existing hairline fracture in the old pipe that burst due to heavy work and vibrations from tools in the nearby room.   Here you can see a picture of the problematic pipe:

Cast iron is susceptible to rusting and corrosion due to exposure to moisture.  On homes with plumbing stacks made with cast iron, typically the outside of the pipe (what you can see) will still look like it's in good shape.  The inside of the pipe though, over time, is slowly eaten away by rust and corrosion, eventually leading to failure.  Life expectancy of cast iron drains can vary based on quality and conditions, but generally speaking if it's older than 50 years it would be a good idea to have it checked out.

Finally, we found a great article on Houzz that outlines "11 Things to Expect With Your Remodel."  Overall we agree with most of the points that are made, and it's a great read whether you are new to the remodeling process or if you've been through the process before!

As always find us online at www.TerraNovaBuilds.com or on Facebook and Houzz!