I used to do title searches, so I can read plat maps. That 1875 one is, indeed, showing you empty lots ready for development. But if your next map is 1895, you've got 20 years to play with there. :D You can actually go to your local courthouse and follow the chain of title back to see when the house was built. Plat maps will tell you , as well. (Anyone in the Deed records room will help you figure this out. You might even get lucky and find something in the tax office that will tell you EXACTLY when it was built.)
@@stevebabiak6997 looks like he was on philageohistroy, which has almost all the publicly available stuff. I wish i knew what modern GIS company keeps buying and extending the copyright on the sanborn maps from the 1910s-1930s so i could wish their balls to chip and shatter.
@@ChrisHytha If you want more than Tax Plats, Sanborn fire insurance maps are heavily detailed as to construction and use from the relevant period and will give you a few more years
3D drawing really helped to see the inside of the house. You are very fortunate with your background in architecture to be able to talk the same ‘language’ as the engineer. Most of us would be overwhelmed and nodding our heads.
Lots of skillsets picked up thoughout school, and I worked at a large architecture firm for 3 years, and spent lots of time coordinating my drawings with structural.
would be nice to see a real photo rather than an AI image. is he concerned someone will burn the building if he shows it? americans are weird and their houses are made of sticks.
@@ChrisHytha I agree with others here. Of all the home renovation/construction channels on youtube, very few dive into a fully built 3D model. Thats a great asset for your and I'm sure will continue to bring in the viewers!
Komment from Germany. I have learned, that chimneys had to stand by themselfs and are never supported by the building. This is the reason why you see in old WW2 pictures bombed out buildings with complete chimney stacks still standing. The 3D Model is VERY helpful to orient.
Eh, looked more like Sketchup, both programs aren't used much by serious designers and architects today. Like I probably could have drawn that in 30 minutes or less in Revit.
@@ChrisHytha Haha. I try daily to take Rhino and Sketchup away from our designers, it causes so many problems down the line. Also, looks like we're neighbors. I'm in Old Kensington currently.
I've seen a lot of great ads from creators over the years, but identifying yourself as the video's sponsor will hold a slot on my "special mention" list of favorites
BTW the highlighted graphics when you are talking about a certain part of the house (making the side wall red or whatever part you are describing), is such a great technique, it help visualize the space and what you are trying to get across so well.
I have been living in a historic house in Frederick, Maryland (about 45 miles west of Baltimore) and am quite familiar with a lot of the thing you are talking about. Any building that has been standing for 100-150 years and not have any significant work done for a number of years might seem like an overwhelming task but if you think of it as a ongoing work and not something that will be finished in "X" amount of time makes it a little easier to deal with mentally. The house I live in was built in 1790 , so the tax records show and had an addition build on around 1890. Luckily I rent and have been here for only 36 years and in that time have seen 3 landlords come and go and am on my 4th. Plus in that time have been able to know people that lived here going back to the 1920's. I've gotten a lot of history of the building as well as a 3 page report from the historical society (or as we call them "the Hysterical Society") with some information that was quite suprising. You've just started your journey and I wish you luck and don't let it get the best of you.
Thanks for following along! Planning for weekly updates. I was so excited to see that the first episode got discovered, it definitely motivates me to keep up with making these videos.
Using the 3D to explain how it's built really cleared up exactly what you're dealing with. I would never have pictured it being like it is without it. I was quite impressed by how confident the structural engineer was about the termite damage, I was expecting him to write off all the damage and tell you to replace it. Great news. 👍
Those attics are really just cocklofts. As a fire fighter who has seen a few row home fires I would recommend that you ensure that there are no penetrations to the adjoining structures you don’t want your neighbors fire running through your cockloft.
Old house guy here. I would call the framing “ballon” framing as the rendering shows the wood going through to the top of the house. Personally, I would jack up the house, it’s not that heavy, and replace the sill plate as you said and do that first and then keep what you have. Of course, the smart move would be to just remove all the old stuff and build the footprint like your two neighbors’ houses. Probably cheaper in the end.
The visuals are probably my favorite parts of your videos so far. It's so cool seeing a modern approach to restoring a 100+ year old home like this! Please don't stop!
Yay part 2. I wish i would have found this a year down the line so i can binge watch everything you do but im happy to be along for the ride as well. Best of luck to you sir
It’s been a minute since I’ve watched a low subscriber channel that produces quality content with a nice identity. Nice job! You’ve gained another subscriber
I appreciate it! Thank you. I've been making videos for a year, refining my skills, while they were getting ~300 veiws. I like the idea that your content finds an audience when its ready!
That 3D model was sick! It was extremely effective in showing us what you're working with - I really appreciate the effort you take in explaining exactly what's going on here.
Like you already said your house is much older than you thought. Your house is balloon framed. That said you might want to fire block in between floors for fire prevention. Blocking in between will slow potential fires.
I’ve actually previously seen your photography (I believe in the Inquirer) and thesis (which I loved), and so it’s really neat to see you of all people embarking on this project. Best of luck with it - I’ll be following along!
Having the ability to visually orientate your audience to where you are, on the spot, with a quick insert-reference to the 3D render will set you apart. This is vintage UA-cam content here, and people love this kind of thing. Good luck!
Thanks for following along! If I can get 100k views on all of these updates I will be able to pay my mortgage on ad revenue! I appreciate your support.
I think you’re such a brave soul taking this on . We lived in a house over 100 years old in complete fear .Lots of unpleasant events occurred that we couldn’t deal with ourselves and either spent lots of money we couldn’t afford or sort of lived with . We are rather useless people when it comes to construction and repairs and were fortunate that our area became extremely popular and we were able to flee with enough money to organize ourselves into a very sound alternative.
I am loving this series. We’ve been restoring our 1855 Gothic Revival for over 30 years! So the things you are tackling are really bringing us back! Especially no insulation! We look forward to going on this journey with you!
The addition has been keeping me up at night! Lol, might scrap it because of the logistics involved and finances, but that is a topic for the next episode!
You can surely do this. Watch a YTuber, an Englishman called Dan currently renovating a burnt out chateau in France. I thought he had lost his mind, genuinely thought he was having a breakdown but what he has achieved is remarkable. One thing though is I notice your subscribers are advising about safety and glad to see you’ve already taken their advice on the mask front. My house in Scotland was built in 1851 but had been extensively renovated before we moved in last year. At the end of our street contractors are working on a Georgian house for four years. The road has been closed for that period too. We have just learned that the tour of Britain cycle race is going up our street on the 6th Sept and they have been instructed to have the scaffolding down by then. I’ve never seen that site so busy! 🤣Anyway good luck and look forward to seeing your progress.
"Watch a YTuber...called Dan currently renovating a burnt out chateau.." His channel is called "Escape to Rural France." Fascinating! As an architect, you'd appreciate the complex calculations in re-constructing his mansard roof.
I’m relieved you don’t have to replace that wall and all the joists! I think if you add the structure for a 3rd floor edition while you’ve got the walls open, a future phase 2 construction will be much easier. This is a cool series and you’re very good at explaining concepts.
This was awesome. The highlight was the 3d visual. It really explained the ealier verbal explanation and Ican see how you were formulating ideas based on your discoveries! I'm excited for the next video.
Thanks! More cool graphics to come. If a picture paints 1,000 words, and the video of my model was 24 fps and 30 seconds long.... thats a lot of words!
@@ChrisHytha Get used to the Speed Queens! It's the only brand that local retailers are willing to take apart and put back together again. If you have a typical Philly row doorway (read: NARROW), Speed Queen is your only option.
Yes, the first step is to fully understand how everything is working before I start trying to jack floors up and whatnot. I've spent a lot of brain power just trying to visualize this all, and the model really helped. I'm tempted to build a physical model of the house too just for fun, like a doll house
You spoke about insulating the walls. The older houses breathed allowing them to dry out. Which is why you still have beautiful old growth in your walls. Check before insulating to avoid trapping in the moisture.
I just found your channel and love "adventures" like this. New sub! I'm a music man and started a music video channel on youtube when it first began. Did not take it seriously until about 2015 when one of my videos had taken off so to speak. I was semi retired by then but started making vids of all my old CD tracks of which there were about 60. Never saw it coming since youtube did not exist back when I was touring and performing and making my CD's. But the channel exploded and now it's a nice retirement income and I still make vids for the channel. I said all that to say this, your channel is about to explode. Once you get to the 10-20K sub range, if you make interesting videos, you will start to see the subs climb much more rapidly now. I love your approach to things and your narration is quite good. My second love after music is wood and I built two recording studios along the way mostly by myself. First one I ran as a commercial studio in and amongst the touring and the second one is here in the Mts of NC where I have "retired" to make my music vids for youtube. Much smaller than the first one, but quite nice since now I only do my own stuff and you don't need as much space for that. Also renovated two houses that were over 100 years old, one was my main residence back in GA, but the other is my Mt. retirement cabin where I now live. So I'm a kindred spirit in the "reno mode" lol. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the "ride" and will be looking forward to each new episode and wishing you the best of luck!
You do a great job of explaining how all this works, and the visual aid was super helpful as someone who has NO knowledge in this area. Super excited to follow this series, you’re a great content creator!
Finally, someone with an architecture background doing a reno on here. Those studs are massive! American framing was so chunky. The disused chimney could be a stack vent for the centre of the plan. EDIT: I see Philadelphia gets pretty cold in the winter. Maybe add a damper on the vent.
Glad you enjoy it. The next episode will be mostly design talk, and plans for the house, plus some numbers as my contractors get me quotes. Excited for it!
it looks so scary to deal with those old houses which have had extensions done in the past. you just dont know what you are dealing with a lot of the times. much respect for taking on this endavour!
The 3D model you made is awesome and really helped explain the situation! You have clearly bought an absolutely _fascinating_ house with a ton of history, and I can't wait to see how you will slowly fix it up. 😊
On that Speed Queen: If it ever does break, get it fixed rather than just replacing it. Dude is right. Depending on how worn it is and how long it's been since its last repair, it may end up needing something done to it. But yeah a good repair tech will be able to handle it well. Source: Am an appliance repair tech with about 15 years of experience and I learned from an old guard Maytag repair man. I've fixed up a number of those who's bearings or belts or pumps had gone bad, and they're top notch.
ages of old homes can get lost to time, ive noticed if its before ~1930 it happens frequently, at least in my area. No one knew the age of my house when I purchased it, even the original land registry predates the house a bit over a decade but doesnt even show the subdivided lot my house sits on yet just the lots its made from. Neat to see. All the houses on this part of the street were from 1915, and judging from how mines built id agree that it is the same. My moms house around the corner said it was from 1928, but after I renovated some parts we found papers back to 1918. renovating these old structures can be difficult depending on the lumber used, but with the right heart you can definitely get through this :D loving this series, i can't wait to see more, keep up the awesome work!
Greetings from Germany! We just discovered you and are captivated by your project so much! When you uncovered the walls and signs of termites, we worried about the state of the house. But now after this video, we too believe this can be done with the right efforts! We're definitly looking forward to more videos from now on! Personal opinion i want to share: while radioators are common and normal here for us, if you already have the walls open, it's worthwhile to consider laying down the works for AC, better electricity with breaker/fuse boxes in mind as well as possible. If you insist on keeping radiator style heating: definitly look into ones that might be able to either be inset, are lower and can get a bench put on top or general surface area. Or, better yet, into a flooring heating system. Especially the latter would be an amazing upgrade retaining the basic radiator principle, except worked into the flooring. Only thing i admit: i dont know how well it works with that style of timber flooring. For the stairs from ground to first floor: i also feel like they used to be bendy before. Something i feel intrigued to see again. Making the front space to the forward facing window a bit more spacious. Skylights in the kitchen ceiling? For some reason i really want to see that! But: hear me out on the alternative: balcony/"roof"terrace instead! Especially if you try to have plenty of green in the backyard! The top floor expansion also seems like a must do to me. Just alone for future proofing the house. If not too much hassle, with a small bathroom (toilet/shower square) as a possible en suite for a (master) bedroom. But even if neither of these points are inspiring, i still look forward to YOUR project, your ideas and creativity! Keep it coming!
The 3d rendering was awesome to see! Def want to see more of that as the build continues to evolve. Would also be really curious about a cost breakdown as you progress through the construction process. I love watching home renovation shows that focus on people buying old classic homes like this and renovating them (my favorite is "Who's Afraid of a Cheap Old House?") It's always interesting seeing how they break down costs, where and how they save money, etc.
My Maytag is about 35 years old and still going strong and still repairable if it has issues. It is a direct drive. Yours may be direct drive too. Keep it. If you’re 15:16 buying a stove and you can get gas, get a vintage O’Keefe & Merritt from the 50s or other high end brand. It is a workhorse that will last forever. You can still get parts for them. You could get lucky and find one you can refurbish yourself. Explore that bowing stucco wall outside. It they stuccoed cement over wood siding there’s your rot and water getting in. Stucco over wood is bad. Make sure any repairs to brick or stone are done with lime mortar. The first thing you do is put a hat on: insulate the attic, as you lose most of the heat out the top. Replace the glass in the windows if you must but if they are original windows don’t replace them. Repair them and they’ll last longer than any replacements. Mine date to 1922 and are fine. My Mother replaced them in her house and they are not even 20 years old and already breaking. A lot of those closets are add ons. There were likely Armoires originally in the rooms. You can find entire bedroom sets from the 30s. Beautiful veneer woods. Looks like the building was added on to twice. Local city archives or historical societies might have more info. Even the tax records might give you previous owners. I was very lucky with my house. My 70 year old neighbor told me about the original owner and much more. I bought it from the original owner’s nephew who inherited it. It was remodeled once in 1949 and I found the blueprints in a closet. Congratulations on your first home.
My neighborhood in DE from the 1960s has a plot plan that looks very similar to the 1800's one you showed, no houses on the map, just subdivided into the individual parcels. Little different situation given it was a whole neighborhood that was being developed by a single builder vs smaller parcels being developed in philly way further back in time.
Lot to hear that. Not just paint and vinyl floors, first step is to understand everything about this house, how it was built, what has happened to it in the past 100 years, then I can start to think about what to do with it. A very analytical approach!
You share common walls all the way to the roof. Make sure you can fire break from them to slow a fire from either side getting to you before you can get out the front.
fortunate to have come across your page and this series! it's been really interesting to watch even as layperson, especially the 3D render. looking forward to future episodes!!
What a great format! I'm getting a lesson in building design! Your 3D view really helped understand how the building is put together and what it will take to repair it. Nice job! Look forward to watching you get after it! Graham- Orlando
That CAD house plan is not just interesting, but essential, I think, to know how to proceed. It really brings the job into focus and I'm hooked. Thanks for bringing us along. I know how much trouble it is to record a job like this.
I'd knock on a few doors either side and front/ back, introduce myself. Often, neighbours have tons of local history, photos, neat stories, construction issues they had, etc. Maybe not what city folk do, IDK, but 1 or 2 slammed doors are worth it for 1 nice neighbour with helpful tips... word gets out & later on a neat community spirit is born. just a thought. Pat/Yukon, Canada
No joke, I bought my first house in Philly a few years ago and fixed it up with the help of family and friends, so it feels like this series is tailored to me. Wish I had your knowledge of architecture; that would have been helpful!
If your house is as old as you now think it is the brick section in the rear may originally have been the outhouse. Or possibly a summer kitchen. There are a lot of homes in the city that still have small brick structures in the back that are used as tool sheds but were originally privies. Might be worth having a look under the floor to see if there's pit you can excavate.
The visuals add great value to helping explain what's going on and being able to see the whole house. Thanks for sharing I look forward to your next episode.
I look over your video. You spoke of lifting the house. To do that you will need structure which you showed you don't have in the floor joist. Speak with your plumber. Find all your pipe runs. Water, sewage, air vent. Plan it now if you tend to move anything. Then start your joist diagram. Ask the plumber about vertical spacing of 10"-12". Double everything around the pipes, tub and toilet. Then set a 8-12-16 on center to the outer walls.
Very interesting. Your graphics are appreciated and you have an excellent way of communicating your ideas and realities. I’m looking forward to following your project and your solutions.
One of the reasons you probably have a Speed Queen is because they are one of the few washing machines (and dryers) that can be taken apart to fit down the usually very narrow basement stairs that you often find in Philly houses of that age.
I used to do title searches, so I can read plat maps. That 1875 one is, indeed, showing you empty lots ready for development. But if your next map is 1895, you've got 20 years to play with there. :D You can actually go to your local courthouse and follow the chain of title back to see when the house was built. Plat maps will tell you , as well. (Anyone in the Deed records room will help you figure this out. You might even get lucky and find something in the tax office that will tell you EXACTLY when it was built.)
Very cool, thank you for your guidance!
Have you used the Atlas site that Philadelphia’s government supplies? It might have more information for you.
@@stevebabiak6997 looks like he was on philageohistroy, which has almost all the publicly available stuff. I wish i knew what modern GIS company keeps buying and extending the copyright on the sanborn maps from the 1910s-1930s so i could wish their balls to chip and shatter.
Not just courthouses but any title company will also have all the titles plus plat maps and tax records.
@@ChrisHytha If you want more than Tax Plats, Sanborn fire insurance maps are heavily detailed as to construction and use from the relevant period and will give you a few more years
3D drawing really helped to see the inside of the house. You are very fortunate with your background in architecture to be able to talk the same ‘language’ as the engineer. Most of us would be overwhelmed and nodding our heads.
Lots of skillsets picked up thoughout school, and I worked at a large architecture firm for 3 years, and spent lots of time coordinating my drawings with structural.
would be nice to see a real photo rather than an AI image. is he concerned someone will burn the building if he shows it?
americans are weird and their houses are made of sticks.
@@ChrisHytha I agree with others here. Of all the home renovation/construction channels on youtube, very few dive into a fully built 3D model. Thats a great asset for your and I'm sure will continue to bring in the viewers!
@@smokeythebirdbrain cheers, thanks for the support!
Good news: my house has three good studs and an awesome washing machine!
You've got a new subscriber
Komment from Germany. I have learned, that chimneys had to stand by themselfs and are never supported by the building.
This is the reason why you see in old WW2 pictures bombed out buildings with complete chimney stacks still standing.
The 3D Model is VERY helpful to orient.
“The Leaky Pipe” sounds like a pub on England
Sounds like a geriatric problem to me.
@@lowspark68 thats what happens when you go to the pub a lot
🤣🤣🤣All of these comments have me rolling! Thankfully my eyes are the only thing leaking!
AND HE KNOWS CAD, this channel is gunna TAKE OFF
Eh, looked more like Sketchup, both programs aren't used much by serious designers and architects today. Like I probably could have drawn that in 30 minutes or less in Revit.
@@TrespassersWillBeShot its still badass
@@TrespassersWillBeShot Its Rhino, a step up from sketchup. All of my architectural documentation work is in Revit. I'll share it in the next episode!
@@ChrisHytha Haha. I try daily to take Rhino and Sketchup away from our designers, it causes so many problems down the line.
Also, looks like we're neighbors. I'm in Old Kensington currently.
@@TrespassersWillBeShot Well you must be a legend in your own mind. Why try to put down whatever method he's using? smh
I've seen a lot of great ads from creators over the years, but identifying yourself as the video's sponsor will hold a slot on my "special mention" list of favorites
BTW the highlighted graphics when you are talking about a certain part of the house (making the side wall red or whatever part you are describing), is such a great technique, it help visualize the space and what you are trying to get across so well.
I thought it would be helpful! Thanks for the feedback
I have been living in a historic house in Frederick, Maryland (about 45 miles west of Baltimore) and am quite familiar with a lot of the thing you are talking about. Any building that has been standing for 100-150 years and not have any significant work done for a number of years might seem like an overwhelming task but if you think of it as a ongoing work and not something that will be finished in "X" amount of time makes it a little easier to deal with mentally. The house I live in was built in 1790 , so the tax records show and had an addition build on around 1890. Luckily I rent and have been here for only 36 years and in that time have seen 3 landlords come and go and am on my 4th. Plus in that time have been able to know people that lived here going back to the 1920's. I've gotten a lot of history of the building as well as a 3 page report from the historical society (or as we call them "the Hysterical Society") with some information that was quite suprising. You've just started your journey and I wish you luck and don't let it get the best of you.
Hello fellow Frederickian
This is one of those treasures that make UA-cam recommendations worth it.
Found your channel yesterday. I’m so stoked you’re already putting up more episodes of this series! Can’t wait to follow your process.
Thanks for following along! Planning for weekly updates. I was so excited to see that the first episode got discovered, it definitely motivates me to keep up with making these videos.
I also found this channel yesterday! Stoked to already see an update.
Me as well! Looking forward to following along.
Me too!
Yep same! following😁
Using the 3D to explain how it's built really cleared up exactly what you're dealing with. I would never have pictured it being like it is without it. I was quite impressed by how confident the structural engineer was about the termite damage, I was expecting him to write off all the damage and tell you to replace it. Great news. 👍
Yes! More exploration to be done, but it will be much easier to shore up the existing structure than to tear down and rebuild.
Those attics are really just cocklofts. As a fire fighter who has seen a few row home fires I would recommend that you ensure that there are no penetrations to the adjoining structures you don’t want your neighbors fire running through your cockloft.
Old house guy here. I would call the framing “ballon” framing as the rendering shows the wood going through to the top of the house. Personally, I would jack up the house, it’s not that heavy, and replace the sill plate as you said and do that first and then keep what you have. Of course, the smart move would be to just remove all the old stuff and build the footprint like your two neighbors’ houses. Probably cheaper in the end.
The visuals are probably my favorite parts of your videos so far. It's so cool seeing a modern approach to restoring a 100+ year old home like this!
Please don't stop!
I have no choice but to continue! Yes, applying new tech to an old house is quite fun
UA-cam is throwing this series in my face and I'm all for it.
Yay part 2. I wish i would have found this a year down the line so i can binge watch everything you do but im happy to be along for the ride as well. Best of luck to you sir
Glad you're excited to follow it. Turn on you post notifications (:
It’s been a minute since I’ve watched a low subscriber channel that produces quality content with a nice identity. Nice job! You’ve gained another subscriber
I appreciate it! Thank you. I've been making videos for a year, refining my skills, while they were getting ~300 veiws. I like the idea that your content finds an audience when its ready!
Not shocked a 100+-year-old house has no insulation. 🙃
Normal. Mine didn’t either.
That 3D model was sick!
It was extremely effective in showing us what you're working with - I really appreciate the effort you take in explaining exactly what's going on here.
Your 3D modelisation definitely cleared up a lot of things for me. Your architectural background is definitely a plus for this channel
Jeez, I've never seen "posted four seconds ago" on youtube 💀 Looking forward to this though
Like you already said your house is much older than you thought. Your house is balloon framed. That said you might want to fire block in between floors for fire prevention. Blocking in between will slow potential fires.
Probably will be required by present day regulations.
I’ve actually previously seen your photography (I believe in the Inquirer) and thesis (which I loved), and so it’s really neat to see you of all people embarking on this project. Best of luck with it - I’ll be following along!
Cool to hear that you have seen my work. Excited to dive into this project.
Having the ability to visually orientate your audience to where you are, on the spot, with a quick insert-reference to the 3D render will set you apart. This is vintage UA-cam content here, and people love this kind of thing. Good luck!
You’re the first UA-cam channel I’ve ever had notifications on for new videos, I’m hyped!
Thanks for following along! If I can get 100k views on all of these updates I will be able to pay my mortgage on ad revenue! I appreciate your support.
At 76, I am learning a whole new language. The 3D helped a little. I subscribed.
I think you’re such a brave soul taking this on . We lived in a house over 100 years old in complete fear .Lots of unpleasant events occurred that we couldn’t deal with ourselves and either spent lots of money we couldn’t afford or sort of lived with . We are rather useless people when it comes to construction and repairs and were fortunate that our area became extremely popular and we were able to flee with enough money to organize ourselves into a very sound alternative.
I am loving this series. We’ve been restoring our 1855 Gothic Revival for over 30 years! So the things you are tackling are really bringing us back! Especially no insulation! We look forward to going on this journey with you!
That 3D model really helped me to understand all the stuff you were talking about earlier in the episode.
That model was an excellent way to explain what was going on, nicely done!
This is my new favorite video series now, cant wait to see how this turns out, especially with the expansion!
The addition has been keeping me up at night! Lol, might scrap it because of the logistics involved and finances, but that is a topic for the next episode!
@@ChrisHytha We bought an 1890 wood framed home in central pa so I know the pain lol!
I agree with alot of other comments about how is visuals of the 3d model of the house was absolutely freaking cool. Love the content keep it up
It was well worth the few hours to make it the other night! Thanks for your feedback.
You can surely do this. Watch a YTuber, an Englishman called Dan currently renovating a burnt out chateau in France. I thought he had lost his mind, genuinely thought he was having a breakdown but what he has achieved is remarkable. One thing though is I notice your subscribers are advising about safety and glad to see you’ve already taken their advice on the mask front. My house in Scotland was built in 1851 but had been extensively renovated before we moved in last year. At the end of our street contractors are working on a Georgian house for four years. The road has been closed for that period too. We have just learned that the tour of Britain cycle race is going up our street on the 6th Sept and they have been instructed to have the scaffolding down by then. I’ve never seen that site so busy! 🤣Anyway good luck and look forward to seeing your progress.
"Watch a YTuber...called Dan currently renovating a burnt out chateau.." His channel is called "Escape to Rural France." Fascinating! As an architect, you'd appreciate the complex calculations in re-constructing his mansard roof.
That 3d representation was clutch!
im weirdly excited for this series i hope you manage to get this done!
My excitement must be rubbing off on you! Now that I'm in it, there is no going back, so I have no choice but to see it through! lots of fun plans.
@@ChrisHytha well good luck man i will be here watching every video
Oh I want a speed queen so bad!!! 😊 I love the history behind your house and area!
The speed queen makes it all worth it
@@ChrisHytha I assume it came with the house? I'm jealous. You could sell that thing for a lot of money.
I have faith in your ability to get this old house up and running again. Great project. Looking forward to the end results
And, we all will be rooting for you along the way.
I’m relieved you don’t have to replace that wall and all the joists! I think if you add the structure for a 3rd floor edition while you’ve got the walls open, a future phase 2 construction will be much easier. This is a cool series and you’re very good at explaining concepts.
came for the thumbnails, stayed for the models!! 💜
This was awesome. The highlight was the 3d visual. It really explained the ealier verbal explanation and Ican see how you were formulating ideas based on your discoveries! I'm excited for the next video.
Thanks! More cool graphics to come. If a picture paints 1,000 words, and the video of my model was 24 fps and 30 seconds long.... thats a lot of words!
Fire insurance maps are such a great source of information!
Speed Queens or any washing machines made without electronics are so much better than anything u can buy
Big come up
@@ChrisHytha Get used to the Speed Queens! It's the only brand that local retailers are willing to take apart and put back together again. If you have a typical Philly row doorway (read: NARROW), Speed Queen is your only option.
I liked the model . Makes things really clear what needs to be done.
Yes, the first step is to fully understand how everything is working before I start trying to jack floors up and whatnot. I've spent a lot of brain power just trying to visualize this all, and the model really helped. I'm tempted to build a physical model of the house too just for fun, like a doll house
I can see that you are loving every minute of this adventure. I am looking forward to week t hree.
You spoke about insulating the walls. The older houses breathed allowing them to dry out. Which is why you still have beautiful old growth in your walls. Check before insulating to avoid trapping in the moisture.
Your skyscraper book looks incredible! I spy Houston City Hall in those thumbails
Yup! I've got the Gulf building too. Lots of good stuff in there
@@ChrisHytha ooo didn't catch that one!
Nice, can't wait for more episodes!
I just found your channel and love "adventures" like this. New sub! I'm a music man and started a music video channel on youtube when it first began. Did not take it seriously until about 2015 when one of my videos had taken off so to speak. I was semi retired by then but started making vids of all my old CD tracks of which there were about 60. Never saw it coming since youtube did not exist back when I was touring and performing and making my CD's. But the channel exploded and now it's a nice retirement income and I still make vids for the channel. I said all that to say this, your channel is about to explode. Once you get to the 10-20K sub range, if you make interesting videos, you will start to see the subs climb much more rapidly now. I love your approach to things and your narration is quite good. My second love after music is wood and I built two recording studios along the way mostly by myself. First one I ran as a commercial studio in and amongst the touring and the second one is here in the Mts of NC where I have "retired" to make my music vids for youtube. Much smaller than the first one, but quite nice since now I only do my own stuff and you don't need as much space for that. Also renovated two houses that were over 100 years old, one was my main residence back in GA, but the other is my Mt. retirement cabin where I now live. So I'm a kindred spirit in the "reno mode" lol. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the "ride" and will be looking forward to each new episode and wishing you the best of luck!
You do a great job of explaining how all this works, and the visual aid was super helpful as someone who has NO knowledge in this area. Super excited to follow this series, you’re a great content creator!
3D drawing helped alot.
Finally, someone with an architecture background doing a reno on here. Those studs are massive! American framing was so chunky. The disused chimney could be a stack vent for the centre of the plan. EDIT: I see Philadelphia gets pretty cold in the winter. Maybe add a damper on the vent.
Great video again! Very interesting project and the 3D model really did help visualize it all.
Thanks for following along! More modeling and graphics to come.
This is my favourite UA-cam series now, I love seeing the process of renovation, well done with all you’ve done already and good luck for the future ❤
Much more to be done! Thanks for following along
I really liked your architectural insights and modelling. I'm keen to see more of that later in the project.
Glad you enjoy it. The next episode will be mostly design talk, and plans for the house, plus some numbers as my contractors get me quotes. Excited for it!
it looks so scary to deal with those old houses which have had extensions done in the past. you just dont know what you are dealing with a lot of the times. much respect for taking on this endavour!
The 3D model you made is awesome and really helped explain the situation! You have clearly bought an absolutely _fascinating_ house with a ton of history, and I can't wait to see how you will slowly fix it up. 😊
The renderings helped a lot putting the layout together. Good luck with the final planning and work!
Love the addition of the graphics. So much easier to get the big-picture visualization. Thanks for doing that!
I *loved* seeing the 3D model of the existing house and excited to hear you'll incorporate more models/drawings into the story as it progresses!
On that Speed Queen: If it ever does break, get it fixed rather than just replacing it. Dude is right. Depending on how worn it is and how long it's been since its last repair, it may end up needing something done to it. But yeah a good repair tech will be able to handle it well.
Source: Am an appliance repair tech with about 15 years of experience and I learned from an old guard Maytag repair man. I've fixed up a number of those who's bearings or belts or pumps had gone bad, and they're top notch.
I have no idea how UA-cam decided I should be here, but I'm already enthralled. I love the 3d visualization, definitely won me over.
i got all the bells and whistles, glad youtube brought you!
ages of old homes can get lost to time, ive noticed if its before ~1930 it happens frequently, at least in my area. No one knew the age of my house when I purchased it, even the original land registry predates the house a bit over a decade but doesnt even show the subdivided lot my house sits on yet just the lots its made from. Neat to see. All the houses on this part of the street were from 1915, and judging from how mines built id agree that it is the same. My moms house around the corner said it was from 1928, but after I renovated some parts we found papers back to 1918. renovating these old structures can be difficult depending on the lumber used, but with the right heart you can definitely get through this :D
loving this series, i can't wait to see more, keep up the awesome work!
Greetings from Germany!
We just discovered you and are captivated by your project so much!
When you uncovered the walls and signs of termites, we worried about the state of the house.
But now after this video, we too believe this can be done with the right efforts!
We're definitly looking forward to more videos from now on!
Personal opinion i want to share: while radioators are common and normal here for us, if you already have the walls open, it's worthwhile to consider laying down the works for AC, better electricity with breaker/fuse boxes in mind as well as possible.
If you insist on keeping radiator style heating: definitly look into ones that might be able to either be inset, are lower and can get a bench put on top or general surface area. Or, better yet, into a flooring heating system.
Especially the latter would be an amazing upgrade retaining the basic radiator principle, except worked into the flooring. Only thing i admit: i dont know how well it works with that style of timber flooring.
For the stairs from ground to first floor: i also feel like they used to be bendy before. Something i feel intrigued to see again. Making the front space to the forward facing window a bit more spacious.
Skylights in the kitchen ceiling? For some reason i really want to see that! But: hear me out on the alternative: balcony/"roof"terrace instead! Especially if you try to have plenty of green in the backyard!
The top floor expansion also seems like a must do to me. Just alone for future proofing the house. If not too much hassle, with a small bathroom (toilet/shower square) as a possible en suite for a (master) bedroom.
But even if neither of these points are inspiring, i still look forward to YOUR project, your ideas and creativity!
Keep it coming!
You are a brave man. I'm sure the house and the neighborhood will thank you when all the reno work is done. Hope it all works out for you.
Thanks for your support! It is a learning experience, and I am ready to put in the time!
The graphical explanation cleared a ton up, series is off to a great start.
The 3d rendering was awesome to see! Def want to see more of that as the build continues to evolve. Would also be really curious about a cost breakdown as you progress through the construction process. I love watching home renovation shows that focus on people buying old classic homes like this and renovating them (my favorite is "Who's Afraid of a Cheap Old House?") It's always interesting seeing how they break down costs, where and how they save money, etc.
My Maytag is about 35 years old and still going strong and still repairable if it has issues. It is a direct drive. Yours may be direct drive too. Keep it. If you’re 15:16 buying a stove and you can get gas, get a vintage O’Keefe & Merritt from the 50s or other high end brand. It is a workhorse that will last forever. You can still get parts for them. You could get lucky and find one you can refurbish yourself. Explore that bowing stucco wall outside. It they stuccoed cement over wood siding there’s your rot and water getting in. Stucco over wood is bad. Make sure any repairs to brick or stone are done with lime mortar. The first thing you do is put a hat on: insulate the attic, as you lose most of the heat out the top. Replace the glass in the windows if you must but if they are original windows don’t replace them. Repair them and they’ll last longer than any replacements. Mine date to 1922 and are fine. My Mother replaced them in her house and they are not even 20 years old and already breaking. A lot of those closets are add ons. There were likely Armoires originally in the rooms. You can find entire bedroom sets from the 30s. Beautiful veneer woods. Looks like the building was added on to twice. Local city archives or historical societies might have more info. Even the tax records might give you previous owners. I was very lucky with my house. My 70 year old neighbor told me about the original owner and much more. I bought it from the original owner’s nephew who inherited it. It was remodeled once in 1949 and I found the blueprints in a closet. Congratulations on your first home.
My neighborhood in DE from the 1960s has a plot plan that looks very similar to the 1800's one you showed, no houses on the map, just subdivided into the individual parcels. Little different situation given it was a whole neighborhood that was being developed by a single builder vs smaller parcels being developed in philly way further back in time.
I wish I could have liked this more than once. Your approach to this reno/resto is already very different from any similar channels on here
Lot to hear that. Not just paint and vinyl floors, first step is to understand everything about this house, how it was built, what has happened to it in the past 100 years, then I can start to think about what to do with it. A very analytical approach!
The visuals were great and so interesting, and your discovery about the possible age is exciting! Also your book looks beautiful
very very helpful. I really hope I can see more renovation projects. Thank you.
You are so right about the illustration. I like you do understand more with a visual. Thank you for that illustration.
I’m enjoying your tutorials.
This is going to be a great journey and one I will follow . Your videos are just the right length keep on with this format.
3D helps a lot. Thank you.
Glad it helped! Its like X-ray vision into the bones of the house. Love it!
@@ChrisHytha When did people designs stop doing the 45 degree on the framing?
You share common walls all the way to the roof. Make sure you can fire break from them to slow a fire from either side getting to you before you can get out the front.
fortunate to have come across your page and this series! it's been really interesting to watch even as layperson, especially the 3D render. looking forward to future episodes!!
This guy is going to places, mark my word.
As a graphic designer and a fan of architecture I'm stoaked to find this channel!
welcome!
I greatly appreciate your digital model! I can follow your verbal descriptions, but the visual helped to define your narrative. Thank you!
What a great format! I'm getting a lesson in building design! Your 3D view really helped understand how the building is put together and what it will take to repair it. Nice job! Look forward to watching you get after it!
Graham- Orlando
That CAD house plan is not just interesting, but essential, I think, to know how to proceed. It really brings the job into focus and I'm hooked. Thanks for bringing us along. I know how much trouble it is to record a job like this.
I went to city archives and found all house deeds, map old photos and L&I records. They are super helpful
I'd knock on a few doors either side and front/ back, introduce myself. Often, neighbours have tons of local history, photos, neat stories, construction issues they had, etc. Maybe not what city folk do, IDK, but 1 or 2 slammed doors are worth it for 1 nice neighbour with helpful tips... word gets out & later on a neat community spirit is born. just a thought. Pat/Yukon, Canada
No joke, I bought my first house in Philly a few years ago and fixed it up with the help of family and friends, so it feels like this series is tailored to me. Wish I had your knowledge of architecture; that would have been helpful!
If your house is as old as you now think it is the brick section in the rear may originally have been the outhouse. Or possibly a summer kitchen. There are a lot of homes in the city that still have small brick structures in the back that are used as tool sheds but were originally privies. Might be worth having a look under the floor to see if there's pit you can excavate.
Im closing on my Kensington rowhome on Sept 13th. Thank you so much for showing that restoration is the move 🎉
The visuals add great value to helping explain what's going on and being able to see the whole house. Thanks for sharing I look forward to your next episode.
Love your channel. Very fresh combination of an old house and a young man , lots of hard work ahead and i will be a close follower.
I'm so glad your first video was just recommended to me today!! 😊 Here for the duration of the reno now 🙌
Excited for this series!
Thanks for following along!
I look over your video. You spoke of lifting the house. To do that you will need structure which you showed you don't have in the floor joist. Speak with your plumber. Find all your pipe runs. Water, sewage, air vent. Plan it now if you tend to move anything. Then start your joist diagram. Ask the plumber about vertical spacing of 10"-12". Double everything around the pipes, tub and toilet. Then set a 8-12-16 on center to the outer walls.
Good to see that you’ve has a lot of your questions answered. Looking forward to the next big step.
Very interesting. Your graphics are appreciated and you have an excellent way of communicating your ideas and realities. I’m looking forward to following your project and your solutions.
Thanks for your support, and I'm glad you appreciated the extra effort. Come back next week for ep.3!
The old Buick out front is so perfect
Dude, those skyscrape photos are AWESOME. Gonna pick up your book for sure.
Drawing was excellent thanks, looking forward to more episodes
I enjoyed your 3D modelling ! Some homeowners or investors would pay to have you create a model of their home! Have a good week !
One of the reasons you probably have a Speed Queen is because they are one of the few washing machines (and dryers) that can be taken apart to fit down the usually very narrow basement stairs that you often find in Philly houses of that age.
This is a project that would drive me to madness. cant wait for the next update