It’s Demo Time!

Dreaming of a complete overhaul to their Kitchen and bath called for a pretty generous amount of demo from window to flooring removal. As was the case in this Tangletown home and in most major remodels, the room was stripped down to only essential framing. Our crew walked through the space and the architectural plans to see exactly what would be demolished to set the groundwork for the new design.

Like a Great Blowout Sale – Everything Goes!

Here is an overview of what we removed:

• Finishes & Selections: flooring, light fixtures, sheetrock, sink, faucets, appliances, cabinets, tile, the built-in banquette
• Window & Select Framing: kitchen windows & exterior door, select interior framing, & exterior framing at window locations and where rot was present
• Soffits & Structural: dropped soffits in the kitchen and existing banquette along with a nearby column
• Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing: lighting/light switches, plumbing for appliances and the bathroom above, and a thermostat

A Sunken Tub and Leaky Shower

Demolition plays a crucial role in the remodeling process, as it is one of the few times a homeowner is able to see inside the framing or “bones” of the home. This is pivotal in finding otherwise hidden issues that could cause major problems in the future. What we found:

• Rot – Overtime, water from the leaky shower on the second level caused problems within the exterior framing and kitchen floor joists. Our team worked to completely remove the rot, reframe, and fix stucco, providing a safe and secure environment.
• A Need for Engineering: With the removal of the sunken tub on the bathroom above, we were able to take out the major soffits above the banquette along with the nearby column. However, doing so would require the structural engineer to provide additional instruction on how to reframe the floor above and relocate point loads in the basement.

A Good Medicine Treats the Illness

Despite the surprises, finding issues like water damage during demo creates an opportunity to fix what would definitely become more serious, unsafe, and even more expensive repairs later in the lifespan of the home. By having design and construction expertise, we’re able to address unforeseen repair needs efficiently and without major disruption to the design goals. And like a good medicine that conquers an illness, a thoughtful remodel provides stabilizing repairs, protecting not only the home but our clients’ investment.

Bathroom Overhaul with Proof that Not All Surprises are Bad

Designs for the revamped bathroom included a relocated tub and large shower enclosure, a private toilet room, and double vanity. The sleek, revisioned layout meant that a total overhaul would be needed, with nearly every surface, finish, plumbing line, lighting, windows, and some framing removed. While the leaky shower and sunken tub caused issues on the floor above, removing them was a great step in providing a safer and more functional bathroom as well.

When demoing the small, tucked-away shower we found another surprise – voided space just beyond that we could incorporate into the bathroom design for a slightly bigger footprint!