I started removing the built-in cabinets from the den today. This
cabinet top is glued up from 3 solid oak boards (5/4 I'd guess) about
12 feet long. I'm not sure what I'll use it for, but it is not going
in any dumpster.
Amazing. They stained the outlet and the cover.
Nasty dirty duct cover.
All gone on this end of the room.
Here is the first electrical surprise in this room. This box was used
as a junction for old to new wire, stuffed full of newspaper and
topped with joint compound. The wires were live, and were part of the
scary curcuit that had half the house on it. In the second picture,
you can see the newspaper that was in the box.
At the other end of the room we found some old carpet that had been
buried under one of the built-in cabinets. I think this was
originally an open shelf then when the added doors they decided to
just leave the carpet. Seems reasonable, no?
Some water damage.
Another buried box, still live.
At first I felt a little sad about removing the built-in cabinets.
Even though they weren't really my favorite style, they were
reasonably well built and mostly solid wood. But once we found the
electrical boxes buried in the wall, the moldy mildew behind the
cabinets, and other evidence of water damage, I didn't feel so bad.
I think these things have to be fixed, not just covered up.
