Tackling the upstairs

We actually did this yesterday, but I'm just now getting around to posting it.

Now to tackle the upstairs.  We've decided to make it an easy day and just ditz around with whatever trips our trigger (as Dale would say).  

Before I go into details, let's layout the building so you'll know the areas I'm referring to in my posts.  The section along the alley will be referred to as Building 1 or maybe the Alley Bldg.  The next section will be Building 2 or the Middle Bldg.  And then last will be Building 3 or Deanne's building since it's next to Delano Floral, which is owned by Deanne.

My mission, is to find a working sink and toilet.  Ideally, I'd like to find one of the six kitchens in somewhat decent shape so that it can be scrubbed and we can start using it while we're there.  The ideal kitchen would be in Bldg 1 because that is where we generally enter the second floor.  Problem is, the water has been shut off in that building because of an issue with a pipe (I think).  I'll get more details from Dale on the issue.

Bldg 2 has a kitchen with a brand new refrigerator, but there doesn't appear to be any water in this building (except for the the massive amount of rain coming in from the leaking roof!).

Bldg 3... The front kitchen has the most beautiful cabinets, but no water.  The back kitchen has water!  Yay!  And the toilet works... kind of.  It flushes, but not all the way. At least the toilet paper made it down.  I tried plunging it to see if that would help, but it didn't.  I can't begin to tell you how grossed-out I am at the moment and I'm sure the look on my face shows it!

Working sink!

Working toilet... sort of.

Honestly, I don't think these apartments have ever been cleaned.  It's kind of funny that I have a cleaning lady come in every month because I can't get our own house cleaned and yet, I spend my weekends cleaning other people's filth. Yuck. 

The wood banister is beautiful.  While cleaning the spindles, I realized that two of them had been replaced.  They don't match, but blend in so well that even Dale hadn't noticed.  I washed the floor next to the banister and decided that these floors probably haven't been washed in years (maybe 25, 30 40?).

Door to bathroom finally opened.  We think this was the main bathroom for the building because it's right off the hallway and has a claw-foot tub.  Also note the door with the transom window above it.

Dale has been able to get most of the interior doors open that have been screwed shut over the years.  There is one door that was locked with a skeleton key.  I hope he can figure it out.

Note the screen door on the left and the transom window is covered.

Screen door removed!
The door that is closed was locked with a skeleton key.

Dale is going around to each room and pulling nails and whatever else people have hung up or nailed to the walls over the years.  He's starting in Building 1.

A lot of the doors had transom windows above them and every one of them had been covered up in one fashion or another.  We talked about how people were so worried that someone could look into a window that what 9 feet high. Then he reminded me that there was most likely a lot of drug use going on over the years.  That would explain the paranoia! There are transom windows in some of the units that are about 4 feet wide and 3 feet high.  Again, every one was covered up.  Somebody decided to use duct tape to cover the window.  What a hassle to peel off and not to mention the sticky stuff left behind.  By the way, the best product out there is "Goof Off".  Much better than Goo Gone and it cuts through YEARS of grease!!

This window was covered in duct tape and painted black.  Love Goof Off! The natural light that is reflecting off the wall is coming from the window in the picture below.

This window was covered up with a board.  The picture is taken while in the room next to the duct tape window room.

As you can see, the door on the left leads out to a hallway.  The door on the right is a closet.  Since both of these doors have transom windows, we think the hallway used to extend to the second door.  We may make that change.

Screen door removed from the interior door on Bldg 2.

There was an original hallway that had been made into a closet for one of the apartments.  Dale tore down the door and frame and now it's back to being the original hallway.  Looks much better!

Here's another window that has been covered up.  We just ran out of steam. Our two-hour day at the building turned into six.  I dont feel like we made a dent, but every little bit helps.