Spring Cleaning - Part the First

We started on the spring cleaning and organizing around the house this weekend. First was a massive cleaning of the house: dusting, vacuuming, mopping and washing of walls. Several things were marked for the trash, and will go out with the next load to the landfill.

We've been noticing our hot water isn't lasting for more than a single shower lately, so the in-house plumber changed the anode and  flushed the tank of sediment. After a thorough inspection, he declared it in good working order, and re-lit the pilot.

Just for curiosity sake, an anode is a bar of metal (usually brass or aluminum) that rusts and decays instead of allowing the reaction to take place on the tank itself. You know when your water heater goes, and water is all over the place? That's the tank "rusting through". The anode will also help to remove some of the sulfurous smell that may be in the water.

It starts out about three feet long and an inch in diameter. Here's a picture of the one we pulled from our water heater. There's a utility knife next to it for scale:

When we flushed the tank, a bunch of grey black gunk came out. According to Rob the plumber, for every 1/8 of an inch of sludge in the bottom, you need about 20% more gas to heat the tank. Changing the anode will also extend the life of your water heater. As long as there is an anode to sacrifice, your tank will last for a LONG time. You should change the anode every three to four years. It's cheaper than replacing the whole tank, that's for sure!

My doors were leaking air fairly badly this year, so another buddy of mine came over and replaced the sweeps and seals around them. Now they close nicely, and no more drafts through them!

Phase Two of spring clean up will come shortly. Once the snow is gone from the yard, and it has a chance to dry up enough to be navigable, we'll strike quickly and get all the leaves that were missed in the fall, along with some other minor maintenance items that need to be attended.

I almost have half of the cost set aside to replace my large bay window. It's going to take me another two months or so to get the amount I need. The day I get that window replaced will be a landmark for me. That will be the halfway point for all the renovations to the house. Let's recap:

1. Roof replaced - shingles, vents, patched some rotten plywood
2. Basement Bathroom built - Shower, Sink, Toilet.
3. Basement Office built - added almost 150 square feet to the house by converting useless storage room
4. Upstairs Bedrooms and kitchen windows replaced - new triple pane, argon filled low energy windows.

Still to be done:

• Bay window replaced - old window is leaking and frosts over in the winter
• Front siding put on - the house currently has wood siding on the front. It's all dented up from a hail storm several years ago and starting to look old.
• Painting the entire upstairs - I hate painting. I'm not good at it. I can get someone to come in and do it for a decent price, AND he'll do all the ceilings too!
• Replace carpets and lino upstairs
• Repair front step - the driveway has sunk about 3-4 inches since it was poured. My first step is almost 23 inches!
• replace cabinets and counters in the kitchen - It's serviceable, but getting old. Lots of scratches in the counters. 

I'm sure there's some other small things I'm overlooking. Owning a house is a constant drain on money. With what the housing market it like at the moment, I couldn't even come close to as nice a place as I have right now without spending 250k+ dollars. I was lucky... I bought this one BEFORE the housing prices jumped. It's almost tripled in value since I bought it!

I'll keep you posted on what's going on and when Phase 2 is completed. Before and after pictures for sure!