Renovating an Older Windsor Home

Replacing a GFCI outlet in an older Windsor home.....What could go wrong??

Recently I got a request to replace an exterior GFCI outlet for a client, sounds simple, right? Well, in an older home, (this particular home was built post WWII as veterans housing), nothing is simple.

Over the years, all sorts of wannabe handymen have been attempting to fix various problems whether they knew how to do so or not.

Well, to begin with, I took the face plate off the outlet & removed it only to find the hot side completely burned with the wires melted off, as seen below.

That should have been my first clue, but I continued to investigate to find out what had happened, I started by going inside the house and removing a small piece of drywall behind the outlet. As soon as I did that & opened the vapour barrier, I knew I was in trouble, the insulation was completely soaked. Now it was time to do a more thorough investigation, after clearing it with the client and informing them of the possible implications. Once the drywall was removed from the inside face of the wall, l discovered that the wall cavity below the window was completely covered with mould. Unless you know what you're doing when dealing with mould, never tackle its removal yourself! Mould remediation is serious business & improper handling can result in all kinds of health implications for you and no........bleach won't bother it, bleach turns it white.

Also, if you look closely at the above picture, you'll notice the interesting wiring configuration. It was installed by puncturing the vapour barrier at every stud and bringing the wire outside the cavity at each one, rather than drilling through the stup (apparently, this electrician forgot to bring a drill). He even went so far as to staple the wire to the stud so it couldnt move, then applied the drywall right over it, pinching the wire between the studs & drywall. Of course, the outlets were installed by simply hacking a hole in the vapour barrier, rendering it completely useless. For a closer look, see below. 

Next it was time to remove the vapour barrier & insulation to see how the structure beneath had fared with all the moisture intrusion.......not so well!! 

As you can see, there was mould everywhere, the exterior sheathing was eaten completely through and the structure itself was infested with carpenter ants. The picture below shows more closely the damage that carpenter ants will cause when presented with moist wood. 

This damage was all caused by the improper installation of the replacement windows above (which were installed without flashing and using butyl caulking around the perimeter, which cracks over time leaving gaps allowing for moisture infiltration. The illustration below shows how the water got in between the window & siding, running down the wall to eventually short out the electrical outlet. 

Subsequently, all the structure below the 8 foot window needed to be removed & replaced, while holding the window up with bracing so it wouldn't move out of position. This was followed with new wiring properly installed, new OSB sheeting to the exterior, new insulation, and a properly installed vapour barrier which sealed the interior electrical outlets, making them airtight, as seen below. 

The 6 mil plastic you see in the above shot is the vapour barrier around the electrical outlets which is later sealed to the rest of the vapour barrier using tuck tape, something not found anywhere in this wall when it was dismantled. The finished vapour barrier installation is seen below. 

On the exterior, the sheeting was replaced followed by the original foam housewrap & then the siding was re-installed....then and only then was the GFCI outlet replaced, which was the object of the original exercise. The following shows the progression outside from start to finish. 

Above, how the wall looked underneath the window after the siding was removed. 

Once the structure had been rebuilt & the new sheeting applied. 

The original housewrap re-installed (it's non-organic so mould & ants can't eat it). 

And, finally, all the siding re-installed and the new GFCI outlet properly installed. Also, new window flashing was manufactured & installed to all the windows which were installed in this addition and they were all subsequently sealed with exterior grade silicone to prevent a further occurrence. 

Above is sown the new flashing installed below the window, this will eliminate the possibility of any future water infiltration. If this had been installed originally, as it should have been, this problem would have been completely avoided.


After the flashing & sealant were installed, the only things left to do were to move back inside & install new drywall, properly finish it, and then prime the repairs followed by new paint to the entire room. 

All told, this simple GFCI installation took four days of aggravation as well as a good deal more expense for the client than expected. So the next time someone asks you to just run in & replace an outlet for them, and you think "easy peasy...15 minutes, in & out". Not so fast! In an older home, it's NEVER what it looks like!


Part of our new look is a completely reworked company website as well as a completely reworked company blog, there are many new pages added as well as bi-weekly articles on the blog to help you plan any projects you have around the house. These articles will be written by me as well as by "guest" bloggers from around the area.

We are now available on facebook as well as on linkedin. Like us on facebook and follow us on linkedin!

While you're on the site, feel free to download the FREE E-book there to help you with your bathroom renovation plan, more books are in the planning stages, but I started with bathrooms.

If you have any questions you'd like answered or you would like to see an article on a particular subject, there are comment windows for you as well as a form for you to fill out to send a message directly to my personal inbox.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback you may have, especially any ideas you may have concerning future articles you would like to see.

Thank you, once again for your business and I hope to hear from you again soon!

Sincerely,

Keith

This article was published by:
Keith McGorlick,
Author, Blogger,
Home Improvement Expert &
President of, Lakeside Interiors
Windsor & Barrie Ontario
In Windsor, call 226-946-9651 or,
 lakesidewindsor@gmail.com
In Barrie, call 705-881-4456 or,
 lakesidebarrie@gmail.com

DIY Basement Renovation Vs Hiring a Pro.....What's The Best Way to Go?

Homeowners have long recognized that a basement renovation can instantly deliver a slew of critical benefits to their home. A finished lower level in a home potentially offers an extensive increase in useable area. Additionally, most unfinished basements are a blank canvas which allows for ultra-flexibility throughout the renovation. Finally, having more usable living space instantly boosts the value should the owners ever decide to sell their home. 

Hiring A Remodeling Professional Can Prove A Wise Decision 

While the decision to remodel is often a "no brainer", homeowners often struggle with one very important factor; should they go it alone on a DIY level, or should they partner with a professional remodeling contractor for the job. 

While doing it yourself may seem like an appealing proposition before you start the redesign process, it's easy for a DIY project to quickly get out of hand and over budget. If you're considering your labour options for a basement remodeling venture in your home, read on. 

Understanding some key benefits that a seasoned renovation contractor can bring to the table can help streamline the decision making process and ensure you make the right choice for your home.

Key Benefits To Hiring A Professional Contractor For Your Basement Update

First and foremost, teaming with a professional for your project instantly grants you access to their extensive skills, qualifications and work experience. 

A finished basement is a moderately challenging endeavor. Unless you've actually, (and successfully!) completed interior remodel jobs, chances are you'll be spending an exorbitant amount of time trying to ramp up with the many details that surround a redesign of this magnitude. 

Working with a pro instantly eliminates time wasted spinning wheels; your chosen remodeling contractor will come prepared with knowledge of the current code requirements and the conditions necessary to begin working on your job. 

Additionally, most unfinished basements are wide open, underutilized spaces. Creating a functional, coherent design that best utilizes the available space can prove difficult for a layperson. 

A seasoned professional renovator will have the insights you need to help create a cohesive layout for your new space, maximizing the area according to your priority list.

Finally, while taking the DIY route for your basement project may seem like a great way to save money, homeowners often find that this is not always the case. Inexperienced attempts to renovate can often result in costly errors. 

Also, when working on any type of home improvement, there's always a chance of the unforeseen occurring. Formerly undetected water damage, poorly built structures and compromised structural integrity in the basement can all cause major construction glitches resulting in mounting costs if not managed quickly and efficiently. 

Partnering with a professional contractor from the start can help eliminate these risks and keep your job on track and on budget throughout the process.

The Best of Both Worlds

Some renovation contractors, Lakeside included, Will allow you to work with their crews to reduce your labour costs.

The obvious benefit of this arrangement is that you have access to the contractors expertise while at the same time, reducing the  labour required for the project. Not so obvious is the fact that you will not need to purchase or rent any major tools required to complete your project since your contractor will already have professional grade equipment.

Another subtle benefit is that you will likely learn several new skills during the process that will be of use to you in future projects.

Lakeside Interiors specializes in renovating existing basements as well as kitchens and bathrooms so, if you aren't looking for a "full contact" DIY experience, get together with us and we'll make your dream basement a reality for you!

We are now available on facebook as well as on linkedin. Like us on facebook and follow us on linkedin!

While you're on the site, feel free to download the FREE E-book there to help you with your bathroom renovation plan, more books are in the planning stages, but I started with bathrooms.

Get all the latest tips and articles delivered right to your inbox by signing up for our free newsletter. 

If you have any questions you'd like answered or you would like to see an article on a particular subject, feel free to ask in a comment window or contact us directly.

If you would like advice concerning your summer project or you would like a cost estimate for a project you are considering, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Lakeside Interiors dedicates a portion of its profits to the community we work in by using our skills to assist the elderly or disabled free of charge. If you know of someone in your area who could use our assistance, please let us know. 

This article was published by:

Keith McGorlick,

Author, Blogger,

Home Improvement Expert &

President of, Lakeside Interiors

Windsor & Barrie Ontario

705-881-4456 in Barrie or,

lakesidebarrie@gmail.com

226-946-9651 in Windsor or,

lakesidewindsor@gmail.com

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How Much Will My Kitchen Renovation Cost Here in Windsor?

When setting a budget for any improvement project around the home, it can be difficult to know where to start. When setting out to renovate, there are often hidden costs that can creep in and sink your budget, especially in an older home.  When renovating a kitchen, a good place to start is at at 15% of your home value. Adding a 20% cushion to your kitchen renovation cost estimate will cover you if anything unforeseen arises. 

It can be difficult to stick to your budget and keep it under your target, but research, planning and a solid estimate can help you to keep costs down.  A good place to start is with a middle of the road estimate at about $45,000 for a $250,000 home.  Things like kitchen cabinets, appliances and countertops are the highest priced items in a kitchen renovation along with flooring, lighting, fixtures and hardware.  Electrical, plumbing and gas add to the costs, making a kitchen renovation a much pricier change than any other room in the house.  

Your kitchen renovation estimate should be your guide.  Everything else should be documented and added as things come up.  Begin with your absolute necessities and things you cannot live without.  Then move to your most desired items such as increasing workspace in your kitchen for preparing meals or the type of materials used for your countertops, cabinets and flooring.  After that you can add in your “wish list” such as a television, computer, kitchen nook, bay window, etc.  A kitchen renovation cost estimate can and should include everything, including your cushion. Keep a separate spreadsheet of items you would like to add and add them later if you can.

If you choose to and have the ability to do the actual work yourself, this will be where the estimating process will end, however if you choose to have a contractor such as Lakeside do the work for you, you will need to estimate the labour cost as well. Over the years, I’ve noticed a pattern in all the projects that Lakeside has done for our clients. By the time you add in labour, permitting, overhead, profit and taxes, when all is said and done, the original material estimate accounts for approximately 40% of the finished project. This being the case, if you take your original estimate and multiply by 2.5, you will be very close to the cost of having a contractor handle the project for you.  

A few things to take into consideration when planning your kitchen renovation is your family size, your entertainment style, your frequent guests and how much counter space you will require.  If you have a large family you will want to have enough seating in the kitchen.  If you entertain a lot, a big table and lots of counter space is nice.  If you love to cook and cook a lot, design your kitchen with appliances that are strategically placed for optimum production.  

A refrigerator all the way across the room from the sink or counter top makes for repeated trips and unnecessary steps. Moving appliances can drive up costs for plumbing , gas and electrical, but it can be well worth it to you if you end up with the kitchen of your dreams. 

This article was published by:

Keith McGorlick,

Author, Blogger,

Home Improvement Expert &

President of, Lakeside Interiors

Windsor & Barrie Ontario

226-946-9651 in Windsor or,

lakesidebarrie@gmail.com

lakesidewindsor@gmail.com