Ken Hayes “My Old House”

As many of our listeners know, recently I purchased a new home.  I call it new, because it's new to me.  In reality, it's pretty stinkin' old.  Fortunately, it has a solid foundation, good walls, and good plumbing.  But oh boy do the surprises keep coming.  Here's a few:

1.  The first day I moved in, I walked down to the basement in my socks to put some boxes away.  After two steps, I felt my socks get wet, and then realized I was standing in a puddle.  Wonderful.  At first I thought it was a leaky basement.  I mopped it up, and went along with the million things I had to do.  A week later, I realized it was the boiler furnace leaking.  It's got a bad valve.  Shouldn't be the end of the world, but since it's still putting out heat... I've just stuck a bucket underneath it.

2.  Sparks flying from outlets!  Before I bought the home, I insisted the seller update the electrical service panel.  I knew there were some minor problems with the electrical, but since I know how to do most of that stuff, no big deal.  It won't cost me much to fix.  After having 2 lights fail, 3 grounded outlets pop, and a handful of light switches that seem to go nowhere, I'm planning on re-wiring the house this summer.

3. Mold in the basement.  I knew this when I bought it.  People get way too concerned about mold these days.  The only place there was mold was by the shower, which had a leaky pipe.  I tore out the sheetrock with mold in it, and sprayed bleach onto the studs.  I'll monitor it, but I think it will be all right. Oh and I found a dead mouse behind the drywall.  Hopefully our cat will start earning her rent if any more mouse come around!

And of course, as more surprises come from my old house, I'll be sure to tell you about them.