Time To Vacuum the Raccoon Crap and Insulation Out Of The Attic At Tarantula Arms

[compactelectra]

Well, after trapping 5 raccoons and two squirrels, time to do the attic repairs. Since I had to take the day off, I decided to have a bunch of other stuff done as well. New lighting for the sewing room (new furniture coming today), thermo pane window replacements and attic restoration. The attic restoration includes repairing all entry points the animals used, sucking out all the insulation and then blowing in new insulation. Decided to get screening put in around all the decks as well to prevent future raccoon homemaking. Just as a reminder, this is what the side of my roof looks like. Won't even go into what the attic looks like.

 

[compactelectra]

The Crew Pulled Up

With this outfit.

 

[compactelectra]

Ran The Hose

Up through the garage access to the second floor attic and then up to the top attic.

 

[compactelectra]

Then Just

Keep on filling up the bags with insulation and the things the raccoons left behind.

 

[compactelectra]

Luckily

There is garage access to the attic. Still have to get access through the front hall through one of the linen closets. Will force me to organize that dang closet when this is done.

 

[compactelectra]

First Thing This Morning

The electrician arrived. Put in new lighting for the revamped sewing room. This is a interesting story. I am using an electrician with a storefront on the main street in St. Charles. They have been in business for years. Was also an authorized Hoover dealer and still have the Hoover logo on the front door. Still have a couple of NOS machines. I got a brand new hard body Innovation there. Fred S had some fun picking through their stock of parts. When the electrician was done he just left. I then realized that they are just going bill me. They are old school!

 

[compactelectra]

He Made Short Work

Of installing the lighting. Will be great for quilting.

 

[compactelectra]

Now At The Same Time

Getting many windows repaired. After 25 years, the thermo panes loose their seal and get foggy. Having those replaced and per Tania's request, get the doors resealed.

 

[compactelectra]

Enough Of The Boring Stuff

Since I am keeping Tarantula Arms, I decided it is time for a facelift. New carpeting upstairs new furniture and upholstery downstairs and a new master bath. More to come on that. Here are the carpet samples. This is fun stuff!

 

[beko1987]

Wow you're going for a near full renovation. You choosing the carpet based on the machine to vac it?

 

[vinvac]

That is one big vacuum!

Your home is so pretty and you have such good taste.

 

[compactelectra]

Well

The work is finished. The attic looks like new and the insulation is twice as thick as before. While the insulation was out I saw some carpenter ants. As Roseanne Roseanna Danna would say "If it's not one thing, it's another." Have a call into Orkin for those. They bore channels in the wood framing of the house. Yikes!

I sure like living in a wooded setting, but this is ridiculous. In any event, the entrance to the Raccoon Hilton is closed for business. I will now regularly inspect the house for any intrusions. I don't think Helen Lawson would like a night time visitor in her suite.

Thanks for the comment Morgan. I do enjoy the house in spite of the challenges. Sam, carpeting will be picked for esthetics and the choice of vacuum will follow since I have so many. The housekeeper uses the central vac which should work just fine. The carpet will be a tight-knit looped berber. In looking for this I found out that berbers seem to be going out of style.

The repaired soffit is shown. I'll either have to clean the wood or get it painted.

 

[compactelectra]

My

Final carpet choice. Should be tough and easy maintenance.

 

[beko1987]

Looking good! Do like a bit of diy to read!

 

[tolivac]

If the large vacuum is used to vacuum old insulation and raccoon crap-wonder if those large bags are disposable-would hate to have to empty that bag after what was picked up.A home not to far from me in my neighborhood had their HVAC ductwork cleaned and the contractor used a central vac machine like that one.And how much is that bag going to weigh when full?And you do have a VERY nice place!!Sad the raccoons and squirrels tried to move in without paying rent!Did you hear them in the attic?When I heard mine-thats when I routed them out.Fortunately they didn't leave too many "calling cards"Was able to clean them out with a doggy pooper scooper.

 

[compactelectra]

Those Bags

Are definitely disposable. They ended up filling up 10 of them!

 

[danemodsandy]

Oh, Thank GOD.

"They ended up filling up 10 of them!"

For one awful minute there, I thought, "What are Helen Lawson's falsies doing on the front lawn?"

 

[kirbysthebest]

Nanna Roseanna Danna says "It's always something."

 

[kirby505]

Just imagine hook one of thouse to a kirby vacuum