The Great Subfloor Adventure: Goodbye Stinky Floors, Hello Solid Foundation!

Ever walked into an old house renovation and immediately questioned your sense of smell? Well, let me tell you—removing a 46-year-old subfloor was a sensory experience I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. But before we dive into the smell (literally), let’s rewind to how we turned this place from a structural mess to a solid home foundation. If you missed Demo Day you can go back and read about it here.

 

Step 1: Securing the Ceiling & Prepping for More Work

The ceiling was secured, meaning it was time to bring in the heavy hitters—HVAC installation, electrical wiring, and security system upgrades. No more tangled wires hanging like jungle vines in this house!

Next up? The vent hood installation. This wasn’t a simple plug-and-play job. We ran power to it, connected the vent through the roof, and ensured it was ready to whisk away those kitchen aromas (and, let’s be real, the occasional burnt dinner). 

 

Step 2: Smell You Later, Old Subfloor!

Once the walls were reinforced, it was time for the real fun—subfloor removal. And by “fun,” I mean something that made us rethink our life choices.

The moment we pulled up the old subfloor, we were hit with a scent so strong, it could’ve scared off a skunk. Imagine nearly five decades of trapped moisture, dust, and who-knows-what-else being unleashed all at once. Yep. You could smell it all the way to “Dumpie” (our ever-reliable dumpster). The only solution? Haul it off to the dump ASAP! 

Step 3: Out with the Old, In with the New

Once the subfloor was gone, we got to work removing the old girders and floor joists—because supporting a house with wood that had seen better days just wasn’t an option.

We also tackled basement moisture control by installing a French drain system around the perimeter of the house. Keeping water away from the foundation is crucial for preventing structural damage—and let’s be honest, nobody wants a musty basement.

 

We laid the French drain, covered it with rock, and prepped it to handle any future rainstorms.

Step 4: The “Swimming Pool” That’s Not a Pool

To keep the crawlspace clean and dry, we installed a 60-mil membrane liner over the leveled dirt, bedrock, and French drain. I like to call it our swimming pool, though I wouldn’t recommend diving in. This crawlspace waterproofing solution ensures that everything stays dry and accessible for future maintenance.

Step 5: Rebuilding the Foundation—Stronger Than Ever

With the groundwork set, it was time to put in new girders to provide solid support for the floors above.

Next, we installed floor joists and added two layers of pink foam insulation to ensure the floors stayed warm in the winter and cool in the summer—because energy-efficient insulation isn’t just a fancy buzzword; it actually makes a difference!

Step 6: A Toasty, Cozy Home

With the HVAC, electrical, and security system work completed, it was time for the final step: spray foam insulation. This stuff instantly made the house feel warmer in winter and cooler in summer, proving just how much proper insulation matters in a home.

Wrapping It Up

What started as a house with a sagging ceiling, musty subfloor, and poor drainage is now a sturdy, energy-efficient home with a solid foundation. This was no small project, but every step brought us closer to a cleaner, safer, and better-insulated space.

Would we do it again? Absolutely. But next time, we’re bringing heavy-duty air fresheners.

Make sure to subscribe to my email list to stay up to date on the next phase of this home remodeling project—because we’re just getting started!