1403 3 Ave N property

This is a house built in 1906 at 1403 3 Ave. N., Coalbanks (later to become Lethbridge), AB, Canada. It was the same year the Lethbridge Viaduct (commonly called the High Level Bridge) was built. It is one of the only two-storey houses built in the area. It’s been added on to four times but still maintains close to its original look. I bought the house in Dec. 2021 as a rental property. It has a 3-bedroom suite on the main floor and a one-bedroom suite on the second. This blog is an account of all that we (FT and I) have done to make it rentable. Read about the main or 2nd floor (“up”) by going to that category. Comments are welcome (but moderated)!

leftovers stored

by

I have enough material left over to start on another suite! 

I’ll deal with the smaller things later (bathroom fans, screws, electrical, etc.).  In the mean time, here is some stuff still in stock. 

small fridge from upstairs before renos (new 2021), range from rear of 520 (new 2022)
shingles left over from roofing the shed
flooring left over from 1403 upstairs suite
house wrap left at 1403 before purchase (c2021)
1/2″ water lines, probably 40′ (12m) or so
…and lots of lumber of various sizes, not to mention bricks

I put the refrigerator (Magic Chef) online for sale, but no one even called. 

I tried selling the range online for $100.  No one wanted it.  I dropped it down to $50.  A couple of people were interested, but no one came. 

I intentionally bought extra flooring tiles as the stairs, mid landing, and entrance for the 1403 upstairs suite are not yet done.  I hope it will be enough. 

I have no idea what to do with the house wrap.  The garage at 1403 is covered in stucco, as is the house.  The shed doesn’t need wrap. 

As for the waterlines, the house at 1403 was changed over to PEX, and this is the leftovers.  Enough to do another suite?  Probably not. 

the other half day outside

by

Another trailer load of junk. 

The rear light, previously used at the rear of 520, was malfunctional (yes, it’s a word), just as my tenant attested.  The neighbours here at 1403 said the damned thing flashed all night long.  After changing the settings, it still flashed.  “Cheap is cheap”, as a long-forgotten person would say.  So I picked up a motion sensor light from Rona along with a 2-pack of 15-Watt bulbs.  Dave held the ladder and handed stuff up to me while I scrambled up there in the wind.  I’ll have to go by the house at night to see if it works. 

Read more

half day of work outside

by

My arms are still sore, so today was just a half day.

I noticed some gaps in the first floor bedroom window framing where the wood wasn’t taped with flashing.  I sealed as much as is showing in preparation for window trim.

Meanwhile…

Read more

security, cleanup

by

Smile, You’re On Camera! 

Maybe this will make a difference. 

The new upstairs tenants left many of their belongings outside to sort through when they had time, but one thing was taken.  I have a video of the thief, and it is now in the hands of the tenants. 

In the mean time, more of the construction stuff is being cleaned up. 

I wonder why no one has tried taking the stove.  Or the fridge dolly that has been sitting in front of the garage for a year.  Or the ladder.  I guess because all of those things represent real work. 

yard cleanup, mudroom rafters

by

This window was from the main floor living room.  Not sure what to do with it, but it can’t stay in front of the house. 

I cut the rear entrance add-on rafters to the same length.  I used a chalk line to mark them and a reciprocator to cut them.  I’ll add a fascia board, paint everything, and replace the gutters next time I’m there. 

The leaves are cleaned up and grass cut with the leaf blower and lawn mower. 

These stones came mostly from the basement area while excavating.  They sat on the sidewalk for the longest time.  However, it is called a sidewalk, not a sideclimb, so they were moved. 

roof repair

by

Since the house was raised more than four inches (20cm), and the lean-to (rear entrance add-on) was rebuilt and raised at a different time, the roof line where it was sealed to the house was compromised.  The shingles buckled, and leaks occurred in heavy rains.  I cut the shingles to the correct shape and sealed it with roofing tar.  Ugly but sufficient. 

Health issues and wind prevented me from doing more this day. 

outside work

by

The property needs some TLC.  However, the priority is to get the suites done first.  In the mean time, a little help is given to the sunflowers at the front. 

garbage

by

We (finally) got a new garbage container.  Yay. 

The old one had gang spray paint and a big crack in the front. 

The garbage bags and the rest of the refuse wood was piled on the trailer.  I’ll go in a couple of Saturdays to unload it at the landfill.  I’ve separated the drywall, white wood, and garbage (bags, painted wood, etc.) to make it easier at the landfill. 

Today we had the scissor lift to do work on the two remaining windows.  Here is the view from up above. 

lumber in the wind

by

The lumber we stacked at the rear of the property did not blow down.  It was really windy last night.  I was expecting to see them stacked randomly like a bunch of t’an in a game of Kal’toh gone wrong.