radiator 101

so there are several things i have learned about our radiators. originals and decorative. one pipe steam radiators.

[Excerpt: Old House]

In a one-pipe system, steam from the boiler rises under pressure through the pipes to the radiators. There it displaces air by evacuation through the radiator vent valves, condenses on the radiators inner surface, and gives up heat. Steam condensate flows by gravity back through the same pipes to the boiler for reheating. The pipes, therefore, must be pitched no less than one inch in ten feet in the direction of the boiler to ensure that the condensate does not block the steam in any part of the system. All piping and radiators must be located above the boiler in a one-pipe system.

replaced - all valves with Steam Angle Radiator Valves (http://www.pexsupply.com/)

replaced - all vents with Hoffman Adjustable Angle Air Valves (http://www.pexsupply.com/)

replacing all pipe flanges with new decorative, thicker flanges (http://www.vandykes.com/)

flushing each radiator and sandblasting exterior and properly pitching each one

steam, banging, and radiators...oh my!

ah the joys and cries of steam radiators. we spent last winter with only having 4 of the 8 on either due to them not working, leaking, banging or extreme hissing. Upon inspection the 100 year old floor no longer felt the need to properly support the radiators either. The radiators themselves are covered in years of rust, layers of paint, and just plain nasty (not a proper towel or blanket warmer for sure).
so the plan is to squeeze in a multi-job project into two weeks before the chicago cold winter really begins.
what we are learning about the old condo is every thing we do is like picking a scab, never good and always creating more bleeding. this time we thought we knew what we were getting into but of course not...

once the radiators were removed the floor was in much worse shape in expected. so the radiators are at ACE Sandblasting getting all prettied up, the new valves are on that the great team from A&M Heating and Cooling installed (so the radiators can be completely shut off or turned on) and the floor is waiting for repair. we can't wait for the consistent heat and the restored 100 year old detailed radiators to return to our condo and settle in for the winter.
the restored radiators are being sandblasted, primed, and painted with Sherwin Williams special heat oil based paint (Urbane Bronze) to give it the cast iron look instead of a painted look. i am eagerly awaiting the completion of this project since it has been on my top project list since we moved in. michele, although not as enthused is ready for steady heat.

halloween/autumn 2007

FORM DINNING ROOM

MAIN ENTRY WAY

LIVING ROOM MANTEL

PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY

...and the sunroom is done!

we are so excited. our first room project has been completed. and we love it. it is formal, casual, urban, vintage, modern, relaxing and best of all no electrical distractions except for our vintage record player and wonderful record collection (thanks mom and dad).

check out the before and afters:

View From the Living Room

Window Corner of Sunroom

Charlie LOVES the new carpet

New View from the Living Room

(minus the artwork)

DecorView from Living Room Window

sunroom window

so michele wanted to remove the storm window in the sunroom (it covered the window that connects the living room to the sunroom). our thought was now that we are insulated, etc that we want this interior window open all the time to connect the two rooms better. and of course it turned out to be yet another undertaking. the edging was riped out to find nothing but a hole around the window, the ledge removed to find newspaper insulation (dated June 22, 1958 Chicago Tribune) and Ace Hardware ruler/stir sticks as levelers, plus the storm window broke during removal - bad glass.

anyhoo. the window is finished, below are the before and after pics and some of the randomness found during the renovation.

June 22, 1958 Insulation

The Shelf and "stir stick" levelers

Shelf

Window Done!

sunroom update

so Sally is almost done so we thought we would take some sneak peak pictures. the 100 year old barn wood we got for the ledge was purchased at this fanastic little store in wrigleyville called American Barn Company. check them out for project ideas: www.americanbarncompany.com

Before and After:

new hardware and strip, stained wood frame/windows

replaced rotted ledge with restored 100 year old barn wood

painted brick was stripped

window trim painted and sealed

close up of the window trim and new ledge

Additional Photos:

wainscoting ceiling --> wall of windows

close up of the new ledge --> insulation through out

flea market finds

we started hitting the flee market scene this summer. we have a few things in mind when we are looking but we just enjoying taking the dog and looking for the next hidden gem.


the first find was an adirondack rocker bench, hand made from st. louis, mo. we thought it would be perfect for the sunroom. not sure if it is going to work or not yet but it will make either make the perfect bench or the best gift for our friends with the lake house. needs very little work. just need to clean it and then seal it with a clear coat. we are planning on putting a linen seat cushion on it as well.

not a month later, michele stumbled upon a great antique while walking the dog. no work needed and perfect for the guest room table. the brass mirror on the wall was found in our basement storage unit when we moved in. we now joke that the guest room is the free room as the 3 main peices were either found, given to us (my great grandparents brass bed), or purchased from the neighbor down the street for almost nothing.

sunroom (our happy hour room)

we have the most perfect sunroom. it is 8.5 x 7 feet with waist to ceiling windows that all open in. we are close to the lake so their is a great breeze that comes in. however, it is outdated, the wood is rotting, there is water damage, nothing is sealed (unusable this past winter), windows cracked, screens missing, etc. so basically we have an unusable space that really could be so many things. so where better to start. by the time we are all done it will be almost like we added on another room to the house.

we have grand ideas. our inspiration comes from one of my photographs that i took while at the Adirondacks. this place is where happy hour occurred every night to toast to the most amazing sunsets. my photograph captured the mood we want our new sunroom to embrace. a lake house within the urban condo. a resting place to a hard day at work, an indoor porch for dinner for two, star gazing, and a place to read the sunday paper in your slippers and robe and hot coco as the snow falls.

restoration plans:

• strip all brick to expose the red worn brick
• strip all wood and window frames
• replace rotted window ledge with leveled ledge
• replace all window hinges/latches
• replace all window screens
• scrape and repaint outside windows and seal
• re-glaze window panes and seal windows
• replace broken glass
• stain window and frame
• insulate and seal all possible areas
• replace false ceiling with insulation and stained wainscoting
• replace particle board wall with insulation and new dry wall
• replace all floor trim
• install carpet
• repaint and buy lounge/outdoor furniture, candle lanterns
• hang vacation photographs

of course we know that there is no way we can handle this first project on our own as the most i have yet to do is patch a hole on our plaster walls. so we talked to the best handy woman in the chicago area, our good friend Sally Beaumont. she has been extremely patient with us and understands that restoration is full of surprises, derailments, and ideas continually evolve as you get farther and farther in.

we will keep you posted on any got ya's, lessons learned, and the before and after photos.

post move in

here are some condo photos with our stuff instead of the previous owners...more to come.


Left --> Right: kitchen, guest bedroom

Left --> Right: pantry, utility room

Left --> Right: guest half bath, master bedroom