There is no getting around the fact, that when found all at once and as a group, these particulars are really a huge bummer.

They all can be fixed. I suspect we’ll find similar issues above our current bedroom and under the second floor bath. Still, it doesn’t make the discovery any more fun.

Your copper plumbing looks so shiny and new…that IS a plus. Our rotted gross slimy LEAD plumbing is coming out. That’s a cool little mound o’ cash. And I don’t think the plumbers compromised anything too badly with the holes…if the holes aren’t in anything that bears weight (like a joist, beam, post or load bearing wall stud), you’re very likely A-OK. If the holes are in a joist or load-bearing wall stud, AKO did the research and found that you can safely remove up to 1/3 of such without compromising.

Anything that you want to reinforce can be reinforced…that includes rotted posts (there are specific techniques for this…recent issue of Fine Homebuilding illustrated this one I think. “Renovating Old Houses” definitely addresses stuff like this. Our neighbors also found this…including the old termite loveliness…when they uncovered a muddled front room/porch. They’ve pulled through

The asbestos…shudder…nightmare. I don’t think you could have done much else. Termites…old! No new ones Mold….erk. Can be addressed. Especially if it is in a place where the old plaster and lathe goes. Drywall…that is a bummer. Though look into sheetrock and skim plaster coat. Someone on the ABM board had to do this and it isn’t too bad…especially if you aren’t patching a wall as 1/2 and 1/2. And easier to put up then recreating a plaster ceiling. I reluctantly concede this, because I adore plaster, but the plaster for 4 room ceilings in our place is already gone and it looks like we’ll be losing at least 4 more room ceilings by the end of this. Remember…battles versus war. They’ll be so busy oohing and ahhing over your gorgeous trim…

Margaritas. I would say that the Unofficial Bungalow Owner’s Manual says to first mix some margaritas. Before anything else. Then make up a list of creative curses to invite upon the heads of previous owners. These get better as the margarita level goes down.

Hang in there.

H–By tomorrow morning or the next, I should have some photos up of the sistering we did on the bathroom in yesterday’s enty. It is pretty straightforward work. Looks good.