Hey Caleb, I tried to buy but the shipping system doesn’t recognise New Zealand 🇳🇿 addresses. Is there a work around? Would love to help pay for the sewer pipe 😢
Hi Caleb, will you be releasing a zip up hoodie in black and gold? Also will you be releasing a black zip up with that machinery printed lining in the hood?
I may be able to help on two fronts. One, I have a little digger that’s perfect for tight areas if you wanted to dig and repair the damaged sections of pipe. Second, I am a mechanic and fairly good at diagnosing small machinery, no guarantees but I could look at the lift to see if i could get you back to work without an expensive service call. I’m an hour on the IL side of the river if you want a hand.
*Kaleb, whatever day suits YOU to put out the videos is ok by me... Just do not stress about things.. as that won't help your blood pressure. My sincere condolences over the sad passing of your family member.*
I manage a large house from the 30s and they had two of those door frame switches inside the house. For this house they acted as light switches. Kinda like in a fridge, whenever you opened the door it would release the switch and turn on the light. If you closed the door, it would shut the lights off. The switches in this house were in storage/service areas so they were more practical than fumbling around in the dark for the light switch.
I was thinking the same thing! My last house was from the early 20's and also had one. In my case, it was on a door on the second floor going into what was a storage room
An idea that has worked for me in the past: the biggest cost in that huge $10,000 price is the digging. It is worth checking on the rental cost of a large mechanical trencher and/or mini excavator. It may be cheaper for you to dig up the pipe and have the plumbers just plumb. Some plumbers object, but most are delighted to fob off the worst of the job to the homeowner and you could save 50% to 60% (at least, that's how it worked out for me in North Carolina). God bless, and keep up the good work!
Agree, there is no way Id be paying a contractor for the sewer if I was in his shoes. Imagine how much momentum the project will gain just by seeing progress on the roof. you cant put a price on that sort of motivation sometimes.
Hello Caleb, I live in STL City so I am familiar with the code that has the downspouts draining into the sewer lines. Here's my suggestion: I believe you have new gutters, etc. Go around the house and photograph all the gutter work and downspouts tied into the sewer line at the base. Then remove the bottom piece and have it drain out into the yard (away from the house, of course). Then just keep on working on other things. You will be able to put off the sewer work for quite a while. Even if the inspector notices, you can show them the photos and let them know your intention is to tie the lines back in, just not immediately. I cannot image that the city inspectors would not let this slide for a year or so.
@@davebryant8050 I was just thinking that. Yeah, totally agree - stop draining rain water into sewer and see if you can hold out on the major work. Also, how about some digging and patching the existing pipe? Just temporarily. The hardest part will be the digging - and that won't be that bad.
In Queensland downpipes are run into the street. The local councils periodically do smoke testing of sewers to make sure no downpipes are connected to them.
Don’t forget you can also add shrinkable poly around the windows and unused doors to save dollars on your heating bill. If uploading on Fridays work for you then it works for us. You need to have a life and if Monday impedes that then it needs to change! I hope these issues that keep creeping up stop! Cheers to you and Kim❣️
Some friends of mine had a house built in the 1920s, and the closet doors had buttons like that. When you opened the door and the button was released the light came on, and when the door closed and button was pressed the light went off.
Someone may have already mentioned this, but could the button on the door have been wired to a bell? You've said that the basement was the second owner's veterinary office, so perhaps he had the door wired to a bell so he would know when someone entered and he was in another part of the office.
Sorry for your loss. Make videos when and as you can, we'll watch! If I were wealthy I'd send you a check to cover repairing the lift and fixing the sinkhole. As it is, all I can do is encourage you to keep moving forward. What you've done already is so impressive, and we're all rooting for you!
For your sewer line issue, some insurance companies have utility lines coverage. I'm not sure what's on your policy but it might be something to check out.
The switch in the door jamb is quite literally called a "jamb switch." They can be used for security, but more commonly back in the day they were used to automatically turn on a light when a door opens, such as a closet, but could be other rooms as well, or a door open bell or light. You'll almost certainly have to permanently separate the stormwater drainage and sanitary sewer. In the Twin Cities, the downspouts had to be diverted and the drain pipes filled with concrete or otherwise permanently capped.
I feel like it’s kind of a stroke of luck that the lift was out and you couldn’t get started on your roof. Now you still had the money you need to put into the sewer line. It sucks, still, but things could have been worse. “One bite at a time”. I like that. Hey, new merch idea!
Infrared stripper is a great tool. Usually the thicker the paint, the better it works. Bummer about the sewer line. That’s part of home moanership! Put out videos at your convenience, we watch em at ours. Condolences on the grandparent. And keep up the good work, you guys have done a lot this year.
When you have the sewer outflow pipe replaced have them install a backwater valve as well if allowed by your local code. This is a one way valve right at the house side of the outflow that will prevent storm drainage from backing up into the house. It's an absolute must if you're already doing the work!
Exactly this is what most houses have. In old houses only problem might be that is gets clogged sometimes....when the sewer line don't have good angle down the main line
Yeesh. On a Sunday, about 12 years ago, I was doing laundry while prepping for a job interview the next day. All of the sudden I heard something sloshing, and black water started coming up in our bathtub. >:( We'd had the cast iron waste lines under the house replaced, but apparently the long run to the sewer was also cast iron and had rusted away over the years. We'd wondered why the oleander plant at the end of the row looked so much greener than the rest. Roots in the sewer pipe. So we called an Emergency Rooter place because we both had to work. They came Monday, excavated a four foot deep trench out to the front fence, replaced the line, and put in a clean out, $11,000, thank you very much. Then a week later, black water in the tub again!! The company came back, it's now the section on the far side of the fence, under the sidewalk, to the inside edge of the curb, six feed deep, and another $5,000. So frustrating to shell out that much over something you can't even see. It sucks! You definitely have my sympathy. This is why this community is worth so much. Hang in there!
Sorry about your grandma and the sewage. Great work on the doors. Attitude and perspective is half the battle. Focus on what you want and it will come to you. You happily married man. Love to both of you. ❤
Caleb, I think this could have been a buzzer system on the door. We used to have one something like this on an old house we had. It was to let Daddy know a customer had come into the store so he could attend the customer. Daddy was in very poor health and needed to rest a lot. He could lay down in between customers while our house was attached to the store. The buzzer went off when the doo to the store was opened and Daddy would go to the store. When you buy old houses, everything hits at once sometimes and you have to make the best choices you can at the time you have to make them. It sucks! My hubby and I have been there a few times. The thing is, it always works out. It may not work out the way you planned, the way you wanted or thought it would, but it does work out. Best of luck and best wishes, I know it it's hard but Caleb, if it were easy, it wouldn't be worth doing. You and Kim are smart, young, and energetic. You will be fine. I have every confidence that this place will be a wonderful monument to Brown that you will be busting your buttons over before too long.
When I was a kid there was an old fashioned drug store in the closest town, it had a switch on the door hinge size like that, when the door was open there was a buzzer that sounded, so the owner would be alerted to a customer coming in
I'm an artist ; these homes are wayyyyyy more important than painting masterpieces! Because, there are ....FUNCTIONAL art, and history! I applause this man. When I can I will donate. He is so good at this. Wow.
Whenever you up load is soon enough. We're all here for you, and naturally want what's best for you. You owe us nothing, but are so generous to be sharing with total strangers. Keep being awesome.
You move the releases to whatever works best for you! I live in FL, so sinkholes are nothing new here, but I was surprised at first when I saw the picture…now it makes sense. I hope it gets fixed with no extra issues or $$$ than you already anticipate. So sorry for your loss, as well. Love to you, Kim and the fur kids ❤
When I lived in Florida, I bought a topographic map of the area. I was amazed at just how many sinkholes were in the region. As groundwater is pumped out for municipalities, the limestone can't support the weight of the soil and buildings so it collapses. It can happen anywhere at anytime down there. I saw where my buddy's friends house went into a sinkhole. They got out just in time as they were getting ready for bed at the time it happened!
Look into pipe bursting, they just dig a hole at each end and pull the new sewer line through, bursting through the old line, it works great and is much cheaper.
@@The2ndEmpireStrikesBack contact your local wastewater collection system maintenance manager, they might be able give you a few contractors that do it. My city did bursting almost exclusively when they replaced the sewer lines.
Those corbels came out beautiful. She did a fantastic job. I would have thought those buttons you were wondering what they were, I would think it would have been a light switch. You are doing a great job on that old door.
Hey there! That button IS for a security system. I grew up with one in my house. It lets a security panel know if the door is open or closed. I'd put money on 1980s or later. Keep up the good work, y'all. :)
Since the door is in the basement it may have been a bell button to let the Veterinarian know if someone has come in. Caleb did show a doorbell as well. What do you all think?
@@patriciapage9950 there was a bell of sorts attached to ours, although that would bring it back to the 20s. I thought it was plastic, but that makes more sense. I probably saw wrong
Friday is a great day to release new videos! I was very excited to see you tonight. I’m sorry you have to deal with sewers! That is a serious hassle but you REALLY can’t let that go! Ugh! The good news is you have most of the parts for your roof! Have a great weekend and we’ll see you next Friday!🌸
My condolences on your grandmother; may her memory be a blessing. I don't suppose a combination of pipe-bursting and trenchless would save you some money, would it? Because both of those are much, much cheaper than full excavation. But you don't want to fuck around with sewers, and you _particularly_ don't want to fuck around with sewers leaking badly enough to make sinkholes. Glad you saw that the basement door was salvagable; I got that first look at it and was all, "oh, that's absolutely fixable if he wants to do the work" and, well, you're you. You wanted to do the work. Nice job. :D
Friday videos are GOOD!!! You need to have a life and some down-time from ALL the work you do on the house!! The corbels are AWESOME!!! You did an awesome job on the doors!! Hope you have a GREAT weekend and chillax a bit!!
That door bell looking thing in the door frame, looks to me like an vintage door buzzer. Those buzzers were often hooked up at the homes delivery door and wired to the servants quarters to let them know that a delivery was dropped off, like milk, meat eggs, packages, etc. Back in the day, back doors or side doors were often left unlocked during the day so these deliveries could be made quick. The door would buzz and the servant would quickly go fetch the delivery. No deliveries were made at the front door.
Caleb, sooooooo sorry for your loss. May she Rest In Eternal Peace!!!! Looks like you've been a VERY BUSY MAN!!!! I know, BIG SURPRISE!!!! You do your Videos any way you choose. You will ALWAYS HAVE AN AUDIENCE!!!!
As a resident at a 1930s st Louis house, we have definitely had issues with water backing up and building in the basement, and issues with the old clay sewer pipes.
If not already Change the pipes in basement and have overflow drain ! and waterproof basement. Your stripper should be able to let it sit for about 1 -1/2 2 hours and Should scarp it Right off easy real clean
Aw, man. I am sorry about the pipe Caleb. That is a tough situation. I think these unexpected crisis' are somewhat the norm for home owners of older homes but, regardless I am sorry that you were hit with this curve ball when you are making significant progress and the building is starting to look like it should. Hang in there man and I hope a resolution to your problem presents itself soon. All my best to you and the family man. Pete Hollister,Ca
As to the switch in the basement door frame, my best guess is that when the vet had a clinic there and a customer entered it would ring a bell to alert them to that. This sort of thing is very common even now in situations where the staff might not be up front to greet customers in a small "mom & pop" type shop, but in another location working. Sorry about the sewer line glitch. Ouch!
I am sorry for your loss. No worries on the videos, do them when you can. I wish I could send you the money for all the things you need to fix but do only what you can. Thank you for sharing and God Bless. The wedding pictures are fantastic. Love them.
My condolences for your loss. Prayers for you and family. About that switch. It's connected to a light switch for electrical. It's an old version from the 30s or 40s. Used as a security feature since it's located in the basement door and was dark under the old stairs, it would (as a pressure button) immediately light the room as the door was opened. Modern versions can be bought at hardware stores or online at Amazon.
Amazing people doing what you can, life is not perfect and trying to be perfect is not healthy. So stay healthy and please always remember you are apparently and you are "awesome"
Stl city has a sewer lateral program that covers those types of repairs. The city pays in full for repairs. The application and instructions are on the city’s website
Caleb if Friday works better for you then it definitely works better for us. Just because we love your content doesn’t mean you can’t have a life 😊. Love to you and Kim.
that is the way life works. you get money and have plans for it and then something comes up and the money goes to that. The way I look at it is that it is a blessing that one had the money in the first place. It is good that these things come up early and be dealt with. Things will work out for you.
I had always rented until my father left his house to me. Now I, too, am enjoying the thrills of home ownership. Having to put in a new floor, having to put in new insulated windows, having to remove trees and level land, having to replace a whole bathroom plumbing system and then finding sewage problems connecting to the City. Can't wait for the central air and heat to go, and the hot water heater to break, which with my luck will all happen at the same time. So, I can relate! I keep thinking how wonderful it will all be when it's DONE! Btu I swear there are days when I want to just sell the place and go back to an apartment.
In fact, you do not need to explain or justify anything, you are doing the hugest job, you are just a hero. We look at you and understand that many of us are not even worth your little finger. Besides, you are human and you are made of meat and bones, and you need breaks and rest, time for your personal life! You are not a construction cyborg or a robot. Therefore, everything will be fine, you will repair and restore everything! Praise the Lord !!🤩🤩🤩🤗😎👍👍
Hi Caleb. I highly recommend using double keyed deadbolts on those outer doors with windows. It is easy for someone to break the glass, just reach in and turn the latch knob for the deadbolts you have now. If you use the kind you have to have a key for on both sides, it is a lot more secure and prices are not that different. I use them and hang the key out of reach of the door.
Uploading on Fridays is such a great idea! Then you can enjoy your weekend! I totally don't care what day you post...but I do care that you are doing what is best for your life long term. 🥰 Also, we felt your pain over a sewer pipe that failed in our 1975 house. 9 feet down, two separate pipes and a sump pump ended up needing replaced. Our yard looks abandoned now, and the damage to the carpet and laundry room floor are yet to be redone. The 7 grand it took to repair the sewer was well spent...it was so gross cleaning up the backup. Blech. We were actually hoping to do the gutters and siding repair. Lol. Now we will figure out these other things instead when we get the funds. Glad my loo works again!
Caleb, I feel your impatience with the roof project but the sewer line is definitely the priority - having that stuff backing up into the basement is a health hazard. Take a breath and remind yourself that everything happens for a reason even if we don’t know what that is. The roof project will get done when the time is right and there are lots of other things that need doing in the meantime.❤
Kaleb it’s great to see your content ,please don’t burn yourself out we want to see yourself and Kim for a long time.Take care of each other and enjoy life.👍
I so feel your pain. We had bought a house built in the early 1960's near a lake. We were told the reason the sewer was backing up into the basement was the same reason. Old clay pipes crushed in. But they were going to charge us (20 years ago) $7,000 to fix. It was about 300' or more of pipe to the corner of our lot where the water dept had brought the sewer line. So my husband decided to do it himself. He rented a small backhoe and dug the ditch. He laid the pipe and he covered it up. It was a little steep and a wooded lot so it was not easy. He made sure to put several clean out T's along the way. It only cost us $2700. But a lot of work and a little bit dangerous. I was sure he was going to tip that backhoe. So I know where you are coming from.
Hi Kaleb, I’ll be here to watch you whenever you can make videos. I can just imagine how simply busy you are. Your work is beautiful. And last but not least, sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss. The switch was probably for a bell to let folks know somebody was coming in as it was a Vet office. It probably was connected to that door bell you also showed (The strike parts inside the bell) or the bell/buzzer is connected somewhere else (follow the wire and you might find it). If this predates the vet office then it is probably a security alarm so the bell/buzzer is upstairs somewhere. That switch is a plunger type that you see in cars where the circuit is broken as long as the switch is pushed down but becomes connected when the door is opened.
Our old 1886 terrace house in Sydney, Australia had the old doors painted over. The Victorians like to make the wood on their doors look more impressive than just common woods like pine. They would colour them and draw features like growth lines and knots to match a more expensive wood like mahogany. So what you are finding is the original colouring. Just imagine the skill needed to be able to transform wood to look like another one.
Greetings from NC. I just watched your video with your qusetion about the door electric contact. My parents house had this type switch on the hinge side of closet doors, When the door was opened, the the plunger turned the light on in the closet and turned it off when the door was closed. That house was built in the late 1950's, and I recall that this was a new feature at that time. Enjoy seeing what you are doing with your home. It is so great to see it being "loved" again. Stan
Sending my condolences on the passing of your Grandmother. A wedding, a funeral and now a sinkhole...you have your hands full, my friend. I'm happy that you're finding a better work/life balance. Whenever you have time to film and post, we'll be here to watch. As always, wishing you and both of your beautiful ladies nothing but the best. BTW, every time I see her I call her Margaret in my head (the house, not Kim!)
My childhood home had those switches in the door frames for all the closets. They’re called refrigerator doors…it’s a light switch that allows the light to turn on when the door is open and turns off when the door is closed
I am so sorry for the very sad loss of your grandmother from your step-father's side. I hope she didn't suffer too much toward the end. The ups (wedding) and downs (passages) of life are sure a roller-coaster. We must enjoy the good times as much as possible. Please hang tough, and truly, we don't care when the videos come out, only that we get updates when you, Kim & your dad are ready. And then we'll lap them up.
I am so very sorry for your family loss. I know things are tough right now with the house. The unexpected is expected when restoring a beauty like this. It is frustrating but it will all come together in good time. I wonder if you could hold some kind of event to rise money? Don't be discouraged. You've come a long way and you're doing an incredible job!
In my state it’s illegal to tie the downspouts into the sewer lines as it overwhelms the system, it’s also a good idea not to introduce foreign objects such as roofing granules or leaves and branches that may flush down a gutter into a vulnerable and very important and major operating system. Dump the downspouts onto the ground and allow the ground to absorb the water as well as the storm sewer.
I think that the mystery switch is a light switch that turns on a light when the door is opened, like a refrigerator. I have seen them on closet doors in houses built in the teens through fortys.
Bummer about the pipes. I watch "1834 Restoration" and Mike is using the heat tool to remove all the paint on the woodwork in one of the rooms. He has a bit of a system in how he and Jeanie get the job done. He uses quite a bit of denatured alcohol in the clean-up. Yep, Fridays are fine to post.
Wow, that sucks... sorry hear it... good luck! The pleasures of owning a old home.... Your doing a great job. I look forward to seeing more progress...
So sorry for the loss of your Step-Grandmother my condolences to you Kim and your whole family. Switching to Fridays is totally fine. I just enjoy the content and your positive can do attitude. You and Kim are working hard to restore the house and give yourselves a better life. If switching days allows you to enjoy your lives more great. Still hope you can find a way to get the Mansard roof done this fall. I know the sewer has to take a priority. Have you thought about doing a go fund me for the roof and or sewer?
So sorry about the sewer and lift. I know these setbacks are so frustrating and you're trying to keep ahead of the winter. I was watching another video and saw this pop up and headed to you because I was worried about you and your beautiful home. Don't worry about us and when you post. Take care of you and Kim and what's important to you. Sending good thoughts and prayers that solutions will come very soon.
Praying for God to provide for your immediate need for the new sewer line! So blessed by watching you work so hard on each part of this beautiful house! The snow will soon cover the roof and make it pretty, but not yet perfect!
I am so sorry for your loss! Good for you to free up your weekends, you need time with Kim and your family! As for the sink hole, it sucks and it always happens when you don't need it. When you have other things to do! God be with you and bless you!🤗🤗
That "button" could have been attached to a bell to let people know when someone came in or out -- especially if that is in the old veterinary office...
Whatever day suits you best. It’s not a problem to your subscribers as all we want is to watch your progress week by week. Condolences to you and your family for your loss. On the bright side those corbels are beautiful and the doors are looking great. The sewage pipe is just one of those problems of renovating an old house. Unfortunately this will happen a few times but you will sort it and move on. I always push the like button as it is the only way that I can help you.
Caleb, I can commiserate with you on the drain line. Our terracotta line, original to our 1907 house is the target of a beautiful red dragon maple. Right now we continue to have the line, when blocked, routed out because our backyard is bricked for an enclosed formal garden area and patio space. We know the costs too well! BTW, doesn't matter when you post. I give you and Kim lost of credit for the incredible amount of work you are doing.
No problem on changing days........as long as you keep uploading :). Claire did indeed do just an awesome job on those B-u-ti-full corbels. That baby, peeking thru the windows was oh-so-cute! Oh, check your PO box, sorry I was so late mailing your wedding gift but was glad to see your wedding pics to get a few more ideas........ it should be there now.
Wow, those corbels! The extremely damaged door looks like it is getting it's Second Empire life. I think issues like the sink hole are what I find most challenging about home ownership, judt when your ready to move forward on one project, another project pops up that is more pressing. Seems never-ending sometimes, the rewards are worth it though.
I had something similar, after I bought my extensive condo that comprises 1800 sq. ft. First Floor and a 440 sq. ft. wrought iron and an adjacent attached glass greenhouse conservatory of the 5 unit condo complex in our Victorian Mansion (about 6800 SF total). I was resting in my bedroom, when my husband and I heard this low gurgling sound just as sewage backed through my toilet and filled the tub!!! Gravity over time had caused the old cast iron sewer pipe to sink down and lose gravity reversing the flow..it was a disaster and cost several thousand dollars to fix..so sad for a long time but with perseverance we got through it. God see you through your task Caleb!!!
That door button was most likely to let the vet know someone had come into the clinic, as was the doorbell just outside. I lived in a 1903 Queen that had a similar set up. Good work finding it! It acted like a silent alarm perhaps flashing a light or setting off a buzzer. It was specially inset into the door so ...
G'day mate, 20 years ago our local council smoke-tested every house to see if the gutters were connected to the sewage lines, and if they were the houses were disconnected. Storm water should always be kept out of the sewage system.
Interested in some of our merch? Here's the link: the-2nd-empire-strikes-back.myshopify.com
Hey Caleb, I tried to buy but the shipping system
doesn’t recognise New Zealand 🇳🇿 addresses. Is there a work around? Would love to help pay for the sewer pipe 😢
Hi Caleb, will you be releasing a zip up hoodie in black and gold? Also will you be releasing a black zip up with that machinery printed lining in the hood?
I may be able to help on two fronts. One, I have a little digger that’s perfect for tight areas if you wanted to dig and repair the damaged sections of pipe. Second, I am a mechanic and fairly good at diagnosing small machinery, no guarantees but I could look at the lift to see if i could get you back to work without an expensive service call. I’m an hour on the IL side of the river if you want a hand.
You are a wonderful person for offering your help. God bless.
J Patton: Your kindness to Caleb made ME feel better!
Your kindness is awesome - I wish I could help these folks, it's such an undertaking and I can feel his pain.
What a great person her, Caleb sounds like a good thing , we would all love to help, but don’t always have the knowledge!!
Did Caleb ever contact you?
*Kaleb, whatever day suits YOU to put out the videos is ok by me... Just do not stress about things.. as that won't help your blood pressure. My sincere condolences over the sad passing of your family member.*
I manage a large house from the 30s and they had two of those door frame switches inside the house. For this house they acted as light switches. Kinda like in a fridge, whenever you opened the door it would release the switch and turn on the light. If you closed the door, it would shut the lights off. The switches in this house were in storage/service areas so they were more practical than fumbling around in the dark for the light switch.
That was my guess :) More places should use them today, such a simple but useful mechanism!
H o
Lo
I was thinking the same thing! My last house was from the early 20's and also had one. In my case, it was on a door on the second floor going into what was a storage room
What an excellent idea.
An idea that has worked for me in the past: the biggest cost in that huge $10,000 price is the digging. It is worth checking on the rental cost of a large mechanical trencher and/or mini excavator. It may be cheaper for you to dig up the pipe and have the plumbers just plumb. Some plumbers object, but most are delighted to fob off the worst of the job to the homeowner and you could save 50% to 60% (at least, that's how it worked out for me in North Carolina). God bless, and keep up the good work!
Agree, there is no way Id be paying a contractor for the sewer if I was in his shoes. Imagine how much momentum the project will gain just by seeing progress on the roof. you cant put a price on that sort of motivation sometimes.
I was thinking the same thing.
Hello Caleb, I live in STL City so I am familiar with the code that has the downspouts draining into the sewer lines. Here's my suggestion: I believe you have new gutters, etc. Go around the house and photograph all the gutter work and downspouts tied into the sewer line at the base. Then remove the bottom piece and have it drain out into the yard (away from the house, of course). Then just keep on working on other things. You will be able to put off the sewer work for quite a while. Even if the inspector notices, you can show them the photos and let them know your intention is to tie the lines back in, just not immediately. I cannot image that the city inspectors would not let this slide for a year or so.
@@davebryant8050 I was just thinking that. Yeah, totally agree - stop draining rain water into sewer and see if you can hold out on the major work. Also, how about some digging and patching the existing pipe? Just temporarily. The hardest part will be the digging - and that won't be that bad.
If my downspouts emptied into my sewer lines we would be backed up all the time. Can you re-direct those?
What a good idea
@@davebryant8050 it’s illegal here in New Zealand too, was common 100 years ago though
In Queensland downpipes are run into the street. The local councils periodically do smoke testing of sewers to make sure no downpipes are connected to them.
Don’t forget you can also add shrinkable poly around the windows and unused doors to save dollars on your heating bill. If uploading on Fridays work for you then it works for us. You need to have a life and if Monday impedes that then it needs to change! I hope these issues that keep creeping up stop! Cheers to you and Kim❣️
Some friends of mine had a house built in the 1920s, and the closet doors had buttons like that. When you opened the door and the button was released the light came on, and when the door closed and button was pressed the light went off.
Someone may have already mentioned this, but could the button on the door have been wired to a bell? You've said that the basement was the second owner's veterinary office, so perhaps he had the door wired to a bell so he would know when someone entered and he was in another part of the office.
Sorry for your loss. Make videos when and as you can, we'll watch!
If I were wealthy I'd send you a check to cover repairing the lift and fixing the sinkhole. As it is, all I can do is encourage you to keep moving forward. What you've done already is so impressive, and we're all rooting for you!
I had to stop & tell you that I like your user name.
@@twistoffate4791 Thank you, yours is awesome too!
@@skokian1able Thank you!!
For your sewer line issue, some insurance companies have utility lines coverage. I'm not sure what's on your policy but it might be something to check out.
🕯️I am sorry for the loss of your grandmother.
The switch in the door jamb is quite literally called a "jamb switch." They can be used for security, but more commonly back in the day they were used to automatically turn on a light when a door opens, such as a closet, but could be other rooms as well, or a door open bell or light. You'll almost certainly have to permanently separate the stormwater drainage and sanitary sewer. In the Twin Cities, the downspouts had to be diverted and the drain pipes filled with concrete or otherwise permanently capped.
I feel like it’s kind of a stroke of luck that the lift was out and you couldn’t get started on your roof. Now you still had the money you need to put into the sewer line. It sucks, still, but things could have been worse.
“One bite at a time”. I like that. Hey, new merch idea!
Infrared stripper is a great tool. Usually the thicker the paint, the better it works. Bummer about the sewer line. That’s part of home moanership! Put out videos at your convenience, we watch em at ours. Condolences on the grandparent. And keep up the good work, you guys have done a lot this year.
I'm rather have your videos come out on Friday rather than Monday. Make things easy on yourself.
When you have the sewer outflow pipe replaced have them install a backwater valve as well if allowed by your local code. This is a one way valve right at the house side of the outflow that will prevent storm drainage from backing up into the house. It's an absolute must if you're already doing the work!
Smart.
thats the plan
Exactly this is what most houses have.
In old houses only problem might be that is gets clogged sometimes....when the sewer line don't have good angle down the main line
@@krewetkaaaa I would put in a rodding point just before the non-return valve - on a swept Tee.
Back flow install on the 2” pipe or whatever and the connection to water meter oh yes
I really like that you are giving yourself your weekend back. I like the idea of visits on Friday, too.
Yeesh. On a Sunday, about 12 years ago, I was doing laundry while prepping for a job interview the next day. All of the sudden I heard something sloshing, and black water started coming up in our bathtub. >:( We'd had the cast iron waste lines under the house replaced, but apparently the long run to the sewer was also cast iron and had rusted away over the years. We'd wondered why the oleander plant at the end of the row looked so much greener than the rest. Roots in the sewer pipe. So we called an Emergency Rooter place because we both had to work. They came Monday, excavated a four foot deep trench out to the front fence, replaced the line, and put in a clean out, $11,000, thank you very much. Then a week later, black water in the tub again!! The company came back, it's now the section on the far side of the fence, under the sidewalk, to the inside edge of the curb, six feed deep, and another $5,000. So frustrating to shell out that much over something you can't even see. It sucks! You definitely have my sympathy. This is why this community is worth so much. Hang in there!
Sorry about your grandma and the sewage. Great work on the doors. Attitude and perspective is half the battle. Focus on what you want and it will come to you. You happily married man. Love to both of you. ❤
Caleb, I think this could have been a buzzer system on the door. We used to have one something like this on an old house we had. It was to let Daddy know a customer had come into the store so he could attend the customer. Daddy was in very poor health and needed to rest a lot. He could lay down in between customers while our house was attached to the store. The buzzer went off when the doo to the store was opened and Daddy would go to the store. When you buy old houses, everything hits at once sometimes and you have to make the best choices you can at the time you have to make them. It sucks! My hubby and I have been there a few times. The thing is, it always works out. It may not work out the way you planned, the way you wanted or thought it would, but it does work out. Best of luck and best wishes, I know it it's hard but Caleb, if it were easy, it wouldn't be worth doing. You and Kim are smart, young, and energetic. You will be fine. I have every confidence that this place will be a wonderful monument to Brown that you will be busting your buttons over before too long.
I'm sorry for your loss. Love to you and your familylove to you and kim
When I was a kid there was an old fashioned drug store in the closest town, it had a switch on the door hinge size like that, when the door was open there was a buzzer that sounded, so the owner would be alerted to a customer coming in
Hello 👋 how are you doing?
OH NO! So sad for you, Caleb. Hope you and Kim have a great weekend working on the house and have time to relax together.
I'm an artist ; these homes are wayyyyyy more important than painting masterpieces! Because, there are ....FUNCTIONAL art, and history! I applause this man. When I can I will donate. He is so good at this. Wow.
Put a piece of insulation between the plywood panel and the door that you working on . Remove the insulation come spring.
Whenever you up load is soon enough. We're all here for you, and naturally want what's best for you. You owe us nothing, but are so generous to be sharing with total strangers. Keep being awesome.
The corbel is beautiful! Sorry about the death in the family.
You move the releases to whatever works best for you! I live in FL, so sinkholes are nothing new here, but I was surprised at first when I saw the picture…now it makes sense. I hope it gets fixed with no extra issues or $$$ than you already anticipate. So sorry for your loss, as well. Love to you, Kim and the fur kids ❤
When I lived in Florida, I bought a topographic map of the area. I was amazed at just how many sinkholes were in the region.
As groundwater is pumped out for municipalities, the limestone can't support the weight of the soil and buildings so it collapses.
It can happen anywhere at anytime down there.
I saw where my buddy's friends house went into a sinkhole. They got out just in time as they were getting ready for bed at the time it happened!
Love the replacement corbel. The maker is fabulous!! What a great resource!
OMG... those finished windows look beeeautiful.
Look into pipe bursting, they just dig a hole at each end and pull the new sewer line through, bursting through the old line, it works great and is much cheaper.
Good idea. I'll check into that.
I’ve never heard of that, but it sounds perfect!
@@The2ndEmpireStrikesBack contact your local wastewater collection system maintenance manager, they might be able give you a few contractors that do it. My city did bursting almost exclusively when they replaced the sewer lines.
Thinking of you and your family. May the memory of your grandmother be a blessing
Those corbels came out beautiful. She did a fantastic job. I would have thought those buttons you were wondering what they were, I would think it would have been a light switch. You are doing a great job on that old door.
Hey there! That button IS for a security system. I grew up with one in my house. It lets a security panel know if the door is open or closed. I'd put money on 1980s or later. Keep up the good work, y'all. :)
I would suggest that it's older than 1980's by the style of the button and the wire that it's connected to.
@@freetolook3727 Could be. I said so because I've never seen it on a house older than 1970s. And that one seemed like a later edition.
That is way older. I’d bet it was added in the 1920s.
Since the door is in the basement it may have been a bell button to let the Veterinarian know if someone has come in. Caleb did show a doorbell as well. What do you all think?
@@patriciapage9950 there was a bell of sorts attached to ours, although that would bring it back to the 20s. I thought it was plastic, but that makes more sense. I probably saw wrong
Friday is a great day to release new videos! I was very excited to see you tonight. I’m sorry you have to deal with sewers! That is a serious hassle but you REALLY can’t let that go! Ugh! The good news is you have most of the parts for your roof! Have a great weekend and we’ll see you next Friday!🌸
Hi 👋how are you doing?
I never cease to be amazed by how well you handle the stress of this massive, elephantine project. Prayers for your creative solutions to come!!
My condolences on your grandmother; may her memory be a blessing.
I don't suppose a combination of pipe-bursting and trenchless would save you some money, would it? Because both of those are much, much cheaper than full excavation.
But you don't want to fuck around with sewers, and you _particularly_ don't want to fuck around with sewers leaking badly enough to make sinkholes.
Glad you saw that the basement door was salvagable; I got that first look at it and was all, "oh, that's absolutely fixable if he wants to do the work" and, well, you're you. You wanted to do the work. Nice job. :D
Friday videos are GOOD!!! You need to have a life and some down-time from ALL the work you do on the house!! The corbels are AWESOME!!! You did an awesome job on the doors!! Hope you have a GREAT weekend and chillax a bit!!
That door bell looking thing in the door frame, looks to me like an vintage door buzzer.
Those buzzers were often hooked up at the homes delivery door and wired to the servants quarters to let them know that a delivery was dropped off, like milk, meat eggs, packages, etc. Back in the day, back doors or side doors were often left unlocked during the day so these deliveries could be made quick. The door would buzz and the servant would quickly go fetch the delivery. No deliveries were made at the front door.
Hello how are you doing?
Caleb, sooooooo sorry for your loss. May she Rest In Eternal Peace!!!! Looks like you've been a VERY BUSY MAN!!!! I know, BIG SURPRISE!!!! You do your Videos any way you choose. You will ALWAYS HAVE AN AUDIENCE!!!!
As a resident at a 1930s st Louis house, we have definitely had issues with water backing up and building in the basement, and issues with the old clay sewer pipes.
If not already Change the pipes in basement and have overflow drain ! and waterproof basement. Your stripper should be able to let it sit for about 1 -1/2 2 hours and Should scarp it Right off easy real clean
Aw, man. I am sorry about the pipe Caleb. That is a tough situation. I think these unexpected crisis' are somewhat the norm for home owners of older homes but, regardless I am sorry that you were hit with this curve ball when you are making significant progress and the building is starting to look like it should. Hang in there man and I hope a resolution to your problem presents itself soon.
All my best to you and the family man.
Pete
Hollister,Ca
As to the switch in the basement door frame, my best guess is that when the vet had a clinic there and a customer entered it would ring a bell to alert them to that. This sort of thing is very common even now in situations where the staff might not be up front to greet customers in a small "mom & pop" type shop, but in another location working.
Sorry about the sewer line glitch. Ouch!
I am sorry for your loss. No worries on the videos, do them when you can. I wish I could send you the money for all the things you need to fix but do only what you can. Thank you for sharing and God Bless. The wedding pictures are fantastic. Love them.
“Rob from Paul to pay to Peter,” the fun never ends, in life. God bless you both.
It's so zen to watch you fix your door!
My condolences for your loss. Prayers for you and family. About that switch. It's connected to a light switch for electrical. It's an old version from the 30s or 40s. Used as a security feature since it's located in the basement door and was dark under the old stairs, it would (as a pressure button) immediately light the room as the door was opened. Modern versions can be bought at hardware stores or online at Amazon.
Amazing people doing what you can, life is not perfect and trying to be perfect is not healthy. So stay healthy and please always remember you are apparently and you are "awesome"
Stl city has a sewer lateral program that covers those types of repairs. The city pays in full for repairs. The application and instructions are on the city’s website
Make sure to spend time with your new Bride it’s those Memories that will get you both though the hard times .💕
So sorry for your loss. Sending big love to you and family.
I’m so sorry for the setback. However you always have such a positive attitude and you’ll get through this
Caleb if Friday works better for you then it definitely works better for us. Just because we love your content doesn’t mean you can’t have a life 😊. Love to you and Kim.
that is the way life works. you get money and have plans for it and then something comes up and the money goes to that. The way I look at it is that it is a blessing that one had the money in the first place. It is good that these things come up early and be dealt with. Things will work out for you.
I had always rented until my father left his house to me. Now I, too, am enjoying the thrills of home ownership. Having to put in a new floor, having to put in new insulated windows, having to remove trees and level land, having to replace a whole bathroom plumbing system and then finding sewage problems connecting to the City. Can't wait for the central air and heat to go, and the hot water heater to break, which with my luck will all happen at the same time. So, I can relate! I keep thinking how wonderful it will all be when it's DONE! Btu I swear there are days when I want to just sell the place and go back to an apartment.
In fact, you do not need to explain or justify anything, you are doing the hugest job, you are just a hero. We look at you and understand that many of us are not even worth your little finger.
Besides, you are human and you are made of meat and bones, and you need breaks and rest, time for your personal life! You are not a construction cyborg or a robot. Therefore, everything will be fine, you will repair and restore everything! Praise the Lord !!🤩🤩🤩🤗😎👍👍
"You are not a construction cyborg or a robot" = I love the way you put it, lol.
I love the change to Friday. I am looking forward to future episodes.
That painted back door in the back looks like it needs a bottom weather strip. I like Fridays. I only have 1 other channel l watch!😀
Hi Caleb. I highly recommend using double keyed deadbolts on those outer doors with windows. It is easy for someone to break the glass, just reach in and turn the latch knob for the deadbolts you have now. If you use the kind you have to have a key for on both sides, it is a lot more secure and prices are not that different. I use them and hang the key out of reach of the door.
Uploading on Fridays is such a great idea! Then you can enjoy your weekend! I totally don't care what day you post...but I do care that you are doing what is best for your life long term. 🥰 Also, we felt your pain over a sewer pipe that failed in our 1975 house. 9 feet down, two separate pipes and a sump pump ended up needing replaced. Our yard looks abandoned now, and the damage to the carpet and laundry room floor are yet to be redone. The 7 grand it took to repair the sewer was well spent...it was so gross cleaning up the backup. Blech. We were actually hoping to do the gutters and siding repair. Lol. Now we will figure out these other things instead when we get the funds. Glad my loo works again!
sorry for your loss. I wish you both lots of love!
Sorta fun to watch someone removing the layer on top of layer of paint. I am glad no one recorded my language when I was doing it.
The door cleaned up beautifully.
Caleb, I feel your impatience with the roof project but the sewer line is definitely the priority - having that stuff backing up into the basement is a health hazard. Take a breath and remind yourself that everything happens for a reason even if we don’t know what that is. The roof project will get done when the time is right and there are lots of other things that need doing in the meantime.❤
Kaleb it’s great to see your content ,please don’t burn yourself out we want to see yourself and Kim for a long time.Take care of each other and enjoy life.👍
I so feel your pain. We had bought a house built in the early 1960's near a lake. We were told the reason the sewer was backing up into the basement was the same reason. Old clay pipes crushed in. But they were going to charge us (20 years ago) $7,000 to fix. It was about 300' or more of pipe to the corner of our lot where the water dept had brought the sewer line. So my husband decided to do it himself. He rented a small backhoe and dug the ditch. He laid the pipe and he covered it up. It was a little steep and a wooded lot so it was not easy. He made sure to put several clean out T's along the way. It only cost us $2700. But a lot of work and a little bit dangerous. I was sure he was going to tip that backhoe. So I know where you are coming from.
Hi Kaleb,
I’ll be here to watch you whenever you can make videos. I can just imagine how simply busy you are. Your work is beautiful. And last but not least, sorry for your loss.
Hello 👋how are you doing?
Hello 👋how are you doing?
Sorry for your loss. The switch was probably for a bell to let folks know somebody was coming in as it was a Vet office. It probably was connected to that door bell you also showed (The strike parts inside the bell) or the bell/buzzer is connected somewhere else (follow the wire and you might find it). If this predates the vet office then it is probably a security alarm so the bell/buzzer is upstairs somewhere. That switch is a plunger type that you see in cars where the circuit is broken as long as the switch is pushed down but becomes connected when the door is opened.
Our old 1886 terrace house in Sydney, Australia had the old doors painted over. The Victorians like to make the wood on their doors look more impressive than just common woods like pine. They would colour them and draw features like growth lines and knots to match a more expensive wood like mahogany. So what you are finding is the original colouring. Just imagine the skill needed to be able to transform wood to look like another one.
Greetings from NC. I just watched your video with your qusetion about the door electric contact. My parents house had this type switch on the hinge side of closet doors, When the door was opened, the the plunger turned the light on in the closet and turned it off when the door was closed. That house was built in the late 1950's, and I recall that this was a new feature at that time. Enjoy seeing what you are doing with your home. It is so great to see it being "loved" again. Stan
Sending my condolences on the passing of your Grandmother. A wedding, a funeral and now a sinkhole...you have your hands full, my friend. I'm happy that you're finding a better work/life balance. Whenever you have time to film and post, we'll be here to watch. As always, wishing you and both of your beautiful ladies nothing but the best. BTW, every time I see her I call her Margaret in my head (the house, not Kim!)
My childhood home had those switches in the door frames for all the closets. They’re called refrigerator doors…it’s a light switch that allows the light to turn on when the door is open and turns off when the door is closed
I am so sorry for the very sad loss of your grandmother from your step-father's side. I hope she didn't suffer too much toward the end. The ups (wedding) and downs (passages) of life are sure a roller-coaster. We must enjoy the good times as much as possible. Please hang tough, and truly, we don't care when the videos come out, only that we get updates when you, Kim & your dad are ready. And then we'll lap them up.
I am so very sorry for your family loss. I know things are tough right now with the house. The unexpected is expected when restoring a beauty like this. It is frustrating but it will all come together in good time. I wonder if you could hold some kind of event to rise money? Don't be discouraged. You've come a long way and you're doing an incredible job!
We've had seasonable weather but there's this thing called a job that keeps us from getting enough done lol
In my state it’s illegal to tie the downspouts into the sewer lines as it overwhelms the system, it’s also a good idea not to introduce foreign objects such as roofing granules or leaves and branches that may flush down a gutter into a vulnerable and very important and major operating system. Dump the downspouts onto the ground and allow the ground to absorb the water as well as the storm sewer.
I think that the mystery switch is a light switch that turns on a light when the door is opened, like a refrigerator. I have seen them on closet doors in houses built in the teens through fortys.
Bummer about the pipes. I watch "1834 Restoration" and Mike is using the heat tool to remove all the paint on the woodwork in one of the rooms. He has a bit of a system in how he and Jeanie get the job done. He uses quite a bit of denatured alcohol in the clean-up. Yep, Fridays are fine to post.
Friday is absolutely fine! No need to miss out on life's joys!
Wow, that sucks... sorry hear it... good luck! The pleasures of owning a old home.... Your doing a great job. I look forward to seeing more progress...
Sewer problems are the worst! The positive is that once the pipe is replaced, you'll never have a problem again.
So sorry for the loss of your Step-Grandmother my condolences to you Kim and your whole family. Switching to Fridays is totally fine. I just enjoy the content and your positive can do attitude. You and Kim are working hard to restore the house and give yourselves a better life. If switching days allows you to enjoy your lives more great. Still hope you can find a way to get the Mansard roof done this fall. I know the sewer has to take a priority. Have you thought about doing a go fund me for the roof and or sewer?
Claire! You're a rock star! Amazing work!
So sorry about the sewer and lift. I know these setbacks are so frustrating and you're trying to keep ahead of the winter. I was watching another video and saw this pop up and headed to you because I was worried about you and your beautiful home. Don't worry about us and when you post. Take care of you and Kim and what's important to you. Sending good thoughts and prayers that solutions will come very soon.
Hello how are you doing?
The wood you've cleaned and refinished is incredible.
Praying for God to provide for your immediate need for the new sewer line! So blessed by watching you work so hard on each part of this beautiful house! The snow will soon cover the roof and make it pretty, but not yet perfect!
I am so sorry for your loss! Good for you to free up your weekends, you need time with Kim and your family! As for the sink hole, it sucks and it always happens when you don't need it. When you have other things to do! God be with you and bless you!🤗🤗
That "button" could have been attached to a bell to let people know when someone came in or out -- especially if that is in the old veterinary office...
Whatever day suits you best. It’s not a problem to your subscribers as all we want is to watch your progress week by week. Condolences to you and your family for your loss. On the bright side those corbels are beautiful and the doors are looking great. The sewage pipe is just one of those problems of renovating an old house. Unfortunately this will happen a few times but you will sort it and move on. I always push the like button as it is the only way that I can help you.
Caleb, I can commiserate with you on the drain line. Our terracotta line, original to our 1907 house is the target of a beautiful red dragon maple. Right now we continue to have the line, when blocked, routed out because our backyard is bricked for an enclosed formal garden area and patio space. We know the costs too well! BTW, doesn't matter when you post. I give you and Kim lost of credit for the incredible amount of work you are doing.
No problem on changing days........as long as you keep uploading :). Claire did indeed do just an awesome job on those B-u-ti-full corbels. That baby, peeking thru the windows was oh-so-cute! Oh, check your PO box, sorry I was so late mailing your wedding gift but was glad to see your wedding pics to get a few more ideas........ it should be there now.
So sorry for your loss
I’m sorry for your loss. You’re in our prayers The Manick Family
I stopped getting notifications, suddenly I get this one? Well, I'm back. I really liked this channel, I have some catching up to do. ❤️
I look forward to you video no matter what you do what is healthy for you and Kim without feeling guilty. Mental health and family are important.
Wow, those corbels! The extremely damaged door looks like it is getting it's Second Empire life.
I think issues like the sink hole are what I find most challenging about home ownership, judt when your ready to move forward on one project, another project pops up that is more pressing. Seems never-ending sometimes, the rewards are worth it though.
I had something similar, after I bought my extensive condo that comprises 1800 sq. ft. First Floor and a 440 sq. ft. wrought iron and an adjacent attached glass greenhouse conservatory of the 5 unit condo complex in our Victorian Mansion (about 6800 SF total). I was resting in my bedroom, when my husband and I heard this low gurgling sound just as sewage backed through my toilet and filled the tub!!! Gravity over time had caused the old cast iron sewer pipe to sink down and lose gravity reversing the flow..it was a disaster and cost several thousand dollars to fix..so sad for a long time but with perseverance we got through it. God see you through your task Caleb!!!
That door button was most likely to let the vet know someone had come into the clinic, as was the doorbell just outside. I lived in a 1903 Queen that had a similar set up. Good work finding it! It acted like a silent alarm perhaps flashing a light or setting off a buzzer. It was specially inset into the door so ...
G'day mate, 20 years ago our local council smoke-tested every house to see if the gutters were connected to the sewage lines, and if they were the houses were disconnected. Storm water should always be kept out of the sewage system.