July 3rd, 2009 - Last days of demolition

These are the most recent photos we have. A lot has been been occurring over the past week, as you'll notice in the photos.  Most of the old plaster has been removed from the reception, dining, and various bedrooms.  The LGL has been completely opened up and gutted.  This week the builders should begin the delicate task of removing, raising and replacing the joists.  The photos below will show evidence to this upcoming phase.  Most of the piping is being or has been removed. The piping in this house equates to DECADES of various piping that has never been removed, but simply added to with each "modernization" the house received.  Piping runs not only parallel to the joists, but perpendicular and randomly laid out throughout.   The LGL appears damp, but it's completely dry throughout. The builders had to spray water on all of the accumulated debris, especially the old plaster to keep the dust down to a minimum. None of our builders wear face masks. They're crazy, in our opinions! 

I hope you enjoy these photos. I'm thoroughly impressed with the organization and cleanliness of our builders as they tackle each phase. We are on truck number 6 with the rubbish sitting outside. We'll probably have one last one after that, totaling 7 skips/truck loads! Who knew? 

Outside of house 

Leading down to LGL entrance

LGL opened up and transformed! Plaster board ceilings have been removed to expose joists & old pipe work. 

Rubbish bags in LGL. The sheer size of this floor is great once the walls have been removed!

A structural column and quite large steel RSJ beam that was put in place when an original structural wall was removed from that location.

A wider view of the LGL

To the left there used to be a hallway that led up the stairs to the ground floor mezzanine & garden. Now the wall of separation has been removed so it's an open space. You can see the slant of the stairs leading to the raised ground floor level to the right.

2 steps visible to the ground floor mezzanine. We plan to build a wine cellar under that staircase and create a permanent wall of separation there too for storage.