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surfsteve.com clicking on the U in surfsteve to go my underground website.  Latest news... this website is now mirrored at http://surfsteve.bravepages.com/ I will try and update that one frequently.

April 1, 2002  Click here to see the latest developments on my house! 

2-14-2 You will always be able to get to my underground website by clicking on the U in surfsteve on top.  From there you can book mark it to your favorites. Most likely when I have something to sell on this website I will remove all references to the underground website so I don't scare off potential buyers. Once again I have resumed working on my project house.  If I spend wisely I should be able to finish it this time.  When it's finished I'll probably list it with a real estate agent and they will probably want me to take all the pictures of 2 x 4's and wires down and put up marketable ones.  

Welcome.  

I'm Steve VanKast (AKA surfsteve) and this website shows my project at 54 Main street in Wishram, Washington  98673  (mail sent to P. O. Box 9).  I can be reached at (509) 748-9110 or  email me at surfsteve@surfsteve.com I'm planning on selling this house and using the money to develop the land to the East. 

 Currently I am looking for work to earn some money to finish my project.  The only reference I can offer is the fact that I've been in my own business since 1976. 

If you know anyone looking for a place to rent check out the very last picture on the website.  The house will no longer be for sale once it is rented..  I am only interested in selling it to raise the money to finish my main project and eliminate headaches of being a landlord. 

Thanks for viewing my website... Steve.

front view   Jam070.jpg (269058 bytes)                                   back view  Jam034.jpg (309623 bytes)           

(above) The house has an excellent view of the Columbia River from the Front and cascading cliffs  from the back.  

Clicking on a picture will make it larger.  Use your back button to return.

I started the house in the fall of 2000.  Beginning by removing and replacing all rotten wood and leveling the foundation.  About 4 times the number of post that existed before were added.  Additional support beams were also added.  Pins were used between concrete blocks and wood to prevent movement from settling and vibration and a layer of asphalt was added to prevent  wood from coming into contact with the concrete pier blocks.  

Beginning House Back.jpg (60714 bytes) Beginning House Front.jpg (71855 bytes) under house 1.jpg (50528 bytes)  earthquake pin detail 1.jpg (94469 bytes) Beginning House Side.jpg (70772 bytes)

Next the siding was added and windows were replaced with energy efficient vinyl

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  Jam022.jpg (223739 bytes) Jam013.jpg (250454 bytes) Jam019.jpg (252014 bytes)  Jam018.jpg (275180 bytes) finished siding 1.jpg (67649 bytes)

The roof was stripped down to the wood,  the back roof was torn completely off, the studs replaced and new plywood, flashing and vent stacks were installed.

  Jam027.jpg (305483 bytes) subroofing 4.jpg (53283 bytes) subroofing 5.jpg (55404 bytes) pipe stacks and metal flashing 5.jpg (71838 bytes) roof 3.jpg (61123 bytes)

 Inside:  4 x 12 inch and 4 x 10 inch beams were added to support and open up rooms, allowing more efficient use of space               

  subroofing and beam 1.jpg (47708 bytes) subroofing and beam 3.jpg (56620 bytes) subroofing and beam 2.jpg (43432 bytes) Jam007.jpg (206793 bytes) Jam034.jpg (309623 bytes)  

                                               (finished siding and roof shown above last picture)

4 x 6 inch or composite equivalent headers were installed to support all windows and doors.  A new architectural style roof was installed and a slight overhang added. 

  Jam033.jpg (294258 bytes) Jam034.jpg (309623 bytes) Jam035.jpg (246085 bytes)                                         Jam037.jpg (261192 bytes) Jam040.jpg (273976 bytes) Jam042.jpg (254781 bytes)

The main sub-flooring was in good condition.  The back rooms floors were completely replaced along with some of the joists.  Studs of varying thickness were added to raise all the floors to the same level.  All existing electrical was removed and upgraded.                    

wiring 1.jpg (44249 bytes) wiring 2b.jpg (51817 bytes) wiring 4.jpg (61742 bytes) wiring 5.jpg (58011 bytes)  under house 2.jpg (50069 bytes) 

Work below is still being accomplished

Work inside began on 5-5-01 and is expected to take 2 months.  After that the final phase is to build a deck in the back, a fence separating the lot from the rest of the parcels and landscaping.

All plumbing has been removed and is being upgraded.  

Walls are being insulated and new sheetrock  added. 

drywall and insulation 1a.jpg (57354 bytes) drywall and insulation 1b.jpg (48504 bytes) Jam043b.jpg (74396 bytes) Jam045.jpg (237076 bytes) Jam044.jpg (228334 bytes)

Jam048.jpg (228798 bytes) Jam050.jpg (206664 bytes)

The old kitchen has been removed and relocated the laundry room has been removed and relocated and being finished

The bathroom has been upgraded and a full size tub added and is being finished.

Closets are being added to both bedrooms and the hot water heater is to be enclosed in it's own closet

Final Considerations

Some final considerations are 

1      The house to the East which will eventually be replaced shares electricity and I would like time for the power company to hook it up to it's own power and to use funds from the sale of the house to accomplish this..

2.     The recorded legal access for the house is off Main Street.  However an additional un recorded undisturbed  driveway has existed since the 1940's from Railroad Avenue and  I have a verbal agreement with the owner to move it against the west fence to enter and put a one way 30 foot road across all the lots in the back and exit out the East end to Railroad Avenue.  This will allow head in parking along the south end of 54 main street, 52 main street and future building sites. (see lot map below)

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Pictures above show future projects and include building or setting up prefabricated homes on lots 5 - 9.  I've purchased the blue mobile to set up on lot 9 and intend to build a deck and garage with similar roof, siding and windows of the current project on lot 4.  

 

4-1-2 I finally finished installing the trim and couldn't wait long enough to paint it before putting these pictures up!

4-1-2-a.jpg (40591 bytes)  4-1-2-b.jpg (29592 bytes)  4-1-2-c.jpg (34013 bytes)  4-1-2-d.jpg (25938 bytes)

4-1-2-e.jpg (30579 bytes)  4-1-2-f.jpg (31025 bytes)  4-1-2-g.jpg (32531 bytes)  4-1-2-h.jpg (20112 bytes)

 

 

telephone (509) 748-9110 or email surfsteve@surfsteve.com

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