bszweda project journal

Bszweda

5 year old buck +
I am starting a Journal to track my progress on a cabin I purchased (closing end of March). The cabin adjoins my current property. The cabin has alot of potential/Character as the last owners definitely neglected it. I'll be posting progress and questions about the list of issues we have.Distance_Front.jpg Upclose_Building.jpg ExtraBuilding2.jpg ExtraBuilding1.jpg
 
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My current to do list

1. Clean filth determine what stays and what goes from previous owners (Purchase a dumpster and have it delivered) need to determined if dumpster place take fridges.
2. Replace fascia as it is in need bad condition (replace with red cedar and add a gutter system? any other material better?)
3. Change locks
4. Deep clean Shampoo anything that stays
7. Bleach all appliances
8. Find and fix all open seals around pipes/ mouse proof cabin. (lattice and rodent screen)
9. Remove trees to close to building (will most likely hire someone to do this)
10. Build fire pit
11. Install cellular trail camera for security.
 
Looks like a diamond in the rough. Love the posts out front on the porch (cedar maybe?).

I've brought an old place back to life too. It's a blast. Seems like you are opening your wallet every time you look at the place. But that slows down over time and you begin to start enjoying it.

Have fun!

-John
 
I like those rustic places.

Cedar fascia may not be bad. If you can't jamb a screwdriver through it just bleach it and wrap it. Gutters are a pain unless you cap them, there always dirty.

Looks like you got a shed too. I use our old broken fridge to store chemicals in the barn.

Clearing some trees looks like a good idea.

Good luck with the mice. Their relentless, lots of guys don't like poison but I have several child/animal proof bait stations running around the perimeter of our place all year log. It just the only way I could combat them. When you fill the gaps around pipes put metal window screen in before using spray foam. Otherwise they just use pieces of the spray foam to make nests.

Add put some fish in the pond to the list (if there are none)

Good luck wth the project.
 
Thanks guys .... Bill that's a really good idea about the turning a fridge into a cabinet. I heard the problem with the poison is that they can die in the wall. I might try non poison first and then if that doesn't do it use poison.
 
Can't wait to see the pictures as your project progresses. As far as poison for mice. I use the d-con bait stations with blocks. I've gone through a bunch of them and have never had a problem with dead ones stinking up the place nor have I found any dead ones in my living space. I also use a "bucket of death" to keep ahead of them. Constant pressure on them is necessary as they reproduce so quickly that you can go from a non-issue to an infestation before you know it.
 
We use an old fridge to keep seed away from rodents FYI
 
Congrats on your future purchase. I like the property,lots of character. That looks like a good funnel along that creek bottom to the east. Cabin looks like it just needs some cosmetic work on the outside. The inside looks just fine to me. I also like the rustic aspect of a hunting cabin.
 
What a cool looking place, inside and out. Big congrats!!
Judging from the pics I see nothing a few bucks and elbow grease won't take care of. As Bill mentioned I'd wrap the fascia in aluminum. Check with the local lumber yard or ReStore outfit if you have one near by. They might have some leftovers you can pickup on the cheap. Easy to work with and a one and done fix. Unless you want to clean gutters twice a year I wouldn't waste my time with them, your call.
I wouldn't worry too much about putting up lattice around the bottom, if that's what your talking about. It won't do much for keeping out mice. My cabin is constructed the same way and I have not had any issues with larger vermin under it...so far.
Battling mice is a constant. I use the block poison inside and out. I use plastic containers with a screw on lid. Cut a small hole in them for access and then bait it. Keeps the mess down to a minimum. I leave the lid on the toilet open so mice head for the water and die in the rv antifreeze. I've seen as many as 6 dead at one time. The bucket trick works great too. Taking out a few trees and keeping the grass mowed short around the place would be a big help against mice also.

Good luck!!
 
Closed on the property on Thursday so its official now... Here are some new pictures from the weekend.
Tasks completed
1.,4., 7. still need to get a dumpster or hire a junker ( moved all the nasty stuff it a shed)

The cleaning of the cabin was huge as I don't think it had been cleaned in 10 years! One of the glue mouse traps actually had a bat!.


Wife getting dirty ( Couldn't of done this without her she busted her butt this weekend!)

clean =)
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Operation Peterpan!
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It amazes me what I can get in my car =)
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So the cabin was winterize and I had to turn on the water. I lifted the handle and water started flowing but could hear running water ( Constantly coming from the pipe). This didn't seem right to me, but I am not entirely sure what I am doing since this is the first time. I ended up moving the gear over to the right and pressing down the handle some and the running water sound went away and I stilled had flow to the cabin. Did I do that correctly? Or what are the correct steps. The plumbing/pex into my water heater also seemed reversed going into the water heater and either I need to get a new water heater or replace the elements( I felt some warm water sometimes, but barely noticeable) . I am guessing the heater is 10 years old. its a reliance 606.


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Tom Strutting silently this morning outside the cabin!

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Not sure on the water ?

Looks like it's going to be a nice place, congrats.

I hope you're headed back soon. Operation Peter pan works well but trust me nothing smells as bad as wet rotting mice.
I left one in a box blind for a month. Gag a maggot!
 
Looking good! Not sure what to tell you on the water either. That looks like a freezeless hydrant and heat tape of some sort. Are you on city or well water? I'd have to assume a well but don't know. Get after that gobbler!
 
Looking good! Not sure what to tell you on the water either. That looks like a freezeless hydrant and heat tape of some sort. Are you on city or well water? I'd have to assume a well but don't know. Get after that gobbler!
I am actually on county/city.
 
That being the case then all you should need to do is turn the hydrant on to charge the system. No pump or pressure tank to deal with. I can't tell what's coming out of the hydrant and seeing as it appears to be in an insulated enclosure, with what looks to be a heat source on the pipe, you'll want to make sure the hydrant and your pipes don't freeze if it gets cold. I would assume there's some sort of low point drain for all the piping in the house. Maybe not. Anyway, congrats on the new place.
 
Operation Peterpan..lol I call it waterboarding. Place looks great!

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New water heater installed! I used shark bites, which was recommend by the employee at ace hardware. (great customer service)

Operation Peter Pan netted 1 kill ( I was expecting more nice)

Fitting a 40 gal water heater into my Versa!
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My fascia board needs to be replaced and it's letting animals into the ceiling!
My neighbor let me borrow his ladder, and I decided to for the time being just whack the boards into place which were getting dislodge.

Well the flying squirrel didn't like that and proceeded to scare the hell out of me as it jump out and flew over my head. ( I screamed in true terror!)

I am hiring locals to replace the fascia as it's too heavy to do by myself

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