Worst Birthday EVER - Removing Rotten Joists and Floorboards

Sometimes we start a project thinking it’s going to be relatively simple and straightforward - particularly when it’s something we’ve done before. But these are often the projects where nothing goes to plan. This is one of those projects.
We started taking up the rest of the upstairs floor to install the new OSB subfloor and we didn’t think it would make an interesting video because it’s something we’ve already shown you. But then we discovered something not so good.
Stay tuned to find out what happened and what we’re going to do about it.
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[@Bobrogers99]

Happy birthday/anniversary! You could have celebrated by doing something boring, like eating at a fine restaurant, but spending the day ripping out rotted floorboards makes the day - memorable.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

We can do a nice restaurant any day …. delayed until operation heat pump is done (and caught up on kitten sleep) 😃

[@71suns]

Hahahahaha!😂

[@dFrame06]

Wow those floor boards... Good for the compost? Happy birthary

[@leahsdreams]

I can't believe you've been using those floors for this long without an accident! Goodness... Happy Birthday Kylie~

[@MAKEDOGROW]

That is exactly what we said!!

[@karleken2009]

You should frame that piece of rotten floor board that you showed the camera, and display it in the room when it's eventually all finished!

[@isabellevince5174]

Your videos are so well done. Not only the camerawork, the lighting, the audio, the editing, but also the very clear explanations, all the content and finally, the presentation. It's like a professional documentary. So interesting! A big thank you!

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Kind words indeed.. we do try our best to make our work interesting and watchable 😃

[@barbarakujawa320]

❤️❤️❤️❤️👍❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏 Your overall attitude towards complications is brilliant 🤪 Enjoy the laughter and acceptance and rectifying of mistakes and trouble spotting. Lord, ya’ll are a hoot! We truly feel your joy and disparate at times.

[@easylover74]

Happy birthday Kyle , wishing you health and a lot of patient with that renovation

[@DaPaKa]

Belated Happy birthday and anniversary. Whilst its rubbish to find more issues, you're right in that it's good to have found now rather than when installimg a nice new staircase. 😅

[@gardeningfishingjimw9364]

Happy Birthday Kylie and Happy Anniversary too!! I know timber is dammed expensive here in Oz but I would replace all the joists just to be sure. Just my 2 bob's worth. :)

[@sheilakerr-jones4345]

My poor neighbour just fell through her rotting steps, ouch! Made a real mess of her leg, thankfully we’re able to assist with the rebuild! Happy birthday and anniversary! 🎂🥂 Now go take some time off to enjoy! 🎉

[@sarahnd]

I'm almost embarrassed to say that I had the opposite experience at my last birthday, when we finally installed a toilet in the house we have been building since 2009. I hope you don't have to wait until your 70th (as I did) for a similar celebration!🤣

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Jeepers, no way I’m waiting another 20 years for a flushing loo 😂🤣 Hopefully we’ll have the downstairs one in this year (fingers crossed!)

[@ChristineKelly1000]

Happy birthday and anniversary. I hope you managed to celebrate and get away for a few hours. I love your positivity. “A blessing in disguise “😅

[@carolynnramsey9767]

I love it that you are still laughing and joking around! I would probably be in a puddle on the floor, if you had not taken it out. I admire your work ethic and attitude about challenges.

[@Sandy-lj2lo]

Thank you! You've just convince me that I probably made a $40,000 mistake allowing a mason to point my 1910 house with "safety mortar" that is soft, but has cement. Frightening to see the condition of your ledger boards, joists, and floor boards. I can see that the next 10 years of my life will involve chiseling out the mortar and replacing it with lime mortar. Fortunately, I have a good supplier. So I appreciate your birthday gift to your viewers.

[@y.lelivelt2619]

This is youre best birthday ever Kylie. This one you will remember for ever because of all the rotten beams you've removed. Who else can say they did this on there birthday? So, Happy Birthday Kylie and I hope you can walk safely on the new floor next year.

[@1whitecottagelife770]

Watching Guy's face carrying those buckets with tile debris to the truck, I wonder, do you ever think "what the HELL have we gotten ourselves into?..."

[@MAKEDOGROW]

On a daily basis 😂🤣😂. Then we have some wine, realise we have nothing better to do, then crack on with the next project 😁

[@carolined3058]

Scary find ; but good you found out now. Happy birthday and anniversary , sure you guys chilled in the evening.

[@aussie405]

Calling that wood seems optimistic. Tree grown cardboard seems more appropriate. Also happy birthday and happy anniversary.

[@carolerodeghiero8157]

Reciprocating saw would make a wonderful birthday gift😊

[@tejolisboa]

Old houses hide lots of surprises. Happy birthday to Kylie and happy anniversary to both of you.

[@doraparker2540]

These floors were a major hazard! You're so lucky that during all this time, you haven't had any accidents! Sorry that you had to celebrate Kylie's birthday and your Anniversary working so hard but, at least now you'll be safe!👍👍👍Best regards to the cat troop (Trouble, Rambo and Passepartout).

[@carolerodeghiero8157]

Wow it amazes me what you find in renovation of older homes.

[@petebachand785]

Happy birthday Kylie / Happy anniversary! Remodeling plans are like battle plans, everything looks great until it actually starts.

[@DieNona82]

OMG; shit happens !! I never saw such a rotten floor !!! Happy birthday Kylie and good luck !

[@markduncan6690]

Right On Kylie! Your calm Demeanour will carry you well through and beyond this project!

[@lisa-ul4vi]

Happy birthday! And happy anniversary! You'll never forget this one!

[@andreacrashe9894]

*Kylie Happy Birthday, so sorry that you had to work and dismantle part of your home on your birthday. Plus, Kylie & Guy happy anniversary to you both. Ok that floor was downright blardy dangerous... gee at any given moment you could have fallen thru it... and been badly injured. I hope this isn't going to be too costly...*

[@carole4119]

Vacation needed or short leave..after this rip out and replacement. We are learning from your experience One never knows what's inside walls floors of old purchased buildings I know. Keep it going..you're doing well. But try not to exhaust yourselves But think when you've got a hold on everthing with a glass of homemade wine Infront of fireplace

[@ninemoonplanet]

Oh some of those boards might just have been doubled cardboard. Sheesh. Well, yeah, now you can imagine, and get to designing the optimal uses of the space. Better to find headaches that are hidden than find them after starting the finishing of floors, walls. Happy birthday and Anniversary. Sorry it wasn't wine and roses. 🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@carolerodeghiero8157]

Love the idea of seeing the beautiful structure of the attic.

[@porterrockwell5287]

I just googled and you do have termites in Portugal. Apparently they are a major problem in older historic buildings. That section of floorboard looked like termite tracks. Typically they eat the inside of the timber. I am surprised no one else seems to have mentioned it? An inspection by a pest controller might be a good insurance policy. Also the lack of water penetration you have observed in rainy weather suggests this is not entirely dry rot related. Just my 2 cents best wishes with the project.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

While there are termites here it’s much more likely death or longhorn beetle damage … they love damp timbers (caused by lack of heating and ventilation). We’ve seen some casings so we’re pretty sure that’s what it was …. a long time ago. We can also see evidence of treatment

[@patrikpersson9446]

One thing is fore sure..you guys now how to party !!!😂😂

[@mounbakko5871]

… with permission… may it be said… finally, after several videos of these… there is no doubt this lady is the dream … and she is spoken for… what an impressive hard worker.

[@mariatajes9054]

After all that work, you need to go out and enjoy your birthday 🎂

[@suecooper3016]

Good to know there is a silver lining to an unexpected problemHappy birthday Kylie & happy anniversary too xx

[@allgoodnamesaregone649]

I love seeing these proper construction videos where you see a lot of progress in one video! Also you need a chainsaw for cutting out the old floor boards and joist, would of took you a fraction of the time! And if you buy cheap tools, you buy twice, dewault all the way!

[@davidstafford803]

Congratulations on your Anniversary and Happy Birthday Kylie, a day you will always remember for the biscuit floor you removed before someone fell through it. The structure of the floorboards reminded me of a Cadburys Flake and had about as much strength as one of those.

[@kebergify]

Happy Birthday, Kylie and Happy Anniversary to you both! I am SO GLAD that you've identified those joists that needed to be replaced. I keep thinking of how many times it has been walked over in the renovation...and yet they were in bad shape. So glad you know about it now.

[@margaretmurphy6546]

Thank goodness you observed the damage. When fixed it will last your life time. Best of luck.

[@stevewoodw]

Once upon a time I did the most boring job in the world, I worked for a market research company and they had a contract to interview commercial users of electricity supply about the problems they had. There are peaks and troughs in supply which tend not to affect urban areas as much and electrical power can vary, sometimes causing problems with equipment made for certain power ranges. If the earthing of a device isn't working, you can burn it out without blowing the fuse. I was wondering about the saw that cut out and isn't working now. A friend threw out an angle grinder because it kept cutting out and it was most likely an automatic cut out when the voltage where he worked dropped, this was due to a safety feature he wasn't aware of for when the power supply had been cut for a short time to stop the angle grinder coming back on again. You didn't mention the fuse of the saw but I'm sure that's well within your capabilities to have done but not mentioned. There are surge protectors that are common for anyone with computing equipment and I think there are larger scale rural surge protectors - this could take up a bit of time with research but may be worth being aware of. If there are any signs of a single wire burning through that had too great a current - it might just be something really simple. If it's not under guarantee, it may be worth having a quick look inside to see if there's anything that is likely to be a clear failing - you may have a few more years of use from the thing. If it has carbon brushes, they may need to be replaced - this isn't that difficult to do either. Good luck with it all....

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Battery operated saw, so shouldn’t be issue with surge etc.

[@dawnford5919]

Happy birthday and anniversary! The joys of DIY and off-grid living.

[@sgrvtl7183]

Your discovery was an eye opener! Your strategy to take your time and think through the perplexities is perfect. All along the way, you have discovered surprises which were presented in' perfect time' so that you would not have to 'backtrack' and rip out your new construction.....a good thought to hold on to......

[@taniadevilliers348]

TBH, I would have called in for help. Your courage and perseverance is admirable, all the best with this project. Happy birthday, Kylie, may all the future ones reward you for the sacrifices of today's.

[@ahzzz-realm]

Congrats and best wishes. Great video - again.

[@mongofan1]

Happy Birthday and Anniversary! Thank you for showing me all the reasons I don't want to buy and refurbish an old Portuguese farmhouse. !!!!! I admire your determination and mental/emotional stability in the face of such dramatic discoveries as this floor. Alex

[@darylpike8547]

Happy birthday Kylie and happy anniversary 🎉

[@DavidWilson-wx1du]

Hi David here, wrapping the joist ends in damp proof membrane is the answer so water can't ingress pining the ends like a parcel ensures this

[@MAKEDOGROW]

The better solution is making sure no moisture gets in to start with. Wrapping the ends in anything is very similar to encasing in cement … if water gets in then it can’t get out

[@Kittygh]

I hope that despite the bad news about of the floor, you were able to enjoy your birthday. All the best from Olympia, Washington, USA!

[@Cruziper]

Kylie's "Bye"s in the end ... 😂😂😂😂😂

[@robinhopkins4131]

"Ways That Floorboards and Joists Ought Not to Be, Part 1"...yikes! Happy Anniversary and Birthday anyway!

[@joyceb5864]

Happy Birthday, Connie!

[@followeroftheway9861]

Your a great couple. Blessings to you both. I’m tired just watching you two😊😊

[@pamelafeiertag748]

Happy Birthday & Happy Anniversary ❤. We are following you every step of the way from New Zealand 😊.

[@user-dy1qb8px4u]

Happy birthday and well done both of you. When you install the new joists wrap the ends in a damp proof plastic to protect them from any residual moisture in the walls

[@farmyourbackyard2023]

Watching you rip out the rotted floorboards by hand is crazy.

[@debgrouette6885]

I know this is gonna sound sappy but your house looks more like a castle the more you work on it!! (which is BEAUTIFUL!!) But! I admire your indominatable spirits dealing with all the nasty expensive and back hurting surprises this house has sprung on you 😵!!

[@stephanie2053]

What an astounding amount of work - seeing this makes me glad to build from scratch, at least I don't have to fix anyone else's problems! The value is, I can see what you've encountered, and hopefully avoid those same mistakes from the get-go. We'll see.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Interestingly we would prefer to renovate over build from scratch every time .. I think that’s our love of problem solving

[@tripletgirl2484]

You are amazingly hard workers and I enjoy watching you!😄

[@user-oi2cy3xj4f]

HappyBirthday Kylie 🎉🎉🎉 you are such hard workers and are doing a great job

[@user-fr2nk7lk2r]

Happy Happy days Kylie,,,,,,,,been silently watching for a year or so......brave couple, did this in oz years ago....

[@andie1769]

Happy Birthday Kylie and anniversary to you both! At least you have some ready to go mulch with those floorboards! Greetings from Oz! 🇦🇺

[@rt3box6tx74]

🤣

[@poodlegirl55]

Happy Birthday!! Making memories. You are one tough, smart chick!

[@kwells8807]

🎉🍷 Happy Birthday Kylie! I hope you and Guy have a wonderful dinner in celebration of your anniversary! 🍾🥂 🐈 By the way, I love the upgrade you did on the prison entry door! Bet all the felines love it too!!! 🐈‍⬛

[@jirinasatavova4062]

you are hardworking and courageous. One day you will have a beautiful and safe home. Good lake.

[@rudymazar5266]

🎉happy birthday!!! Have a glass to celebrate your wonderful adventurous life

[@christinecowley3120]

Happy Birthday Kylie! And Happy ANNIVERSARY you too! Do try and celebrate at some time!

[@robynclarke5274]

Happy Birthday Kylie, I'm sure Guy will make it up to you. I have great admiration for both your tenacity and work ethic to pursue your perfect home. Stay safe.

[@lancedaniels]

Thanks for posting and sharing. Glad that you are able to see a way through this situation.

[@rogerwileman9965]

Many happy returns lovely. Better to find it now you now have a chance to put it right . GOOD LUCK.

[@renatesiebke5723]

Happy Birthday Kylie, and never mind! Mine was pretty special this year as well! It was sunday, mother's Day, May 14th and my 61st birthday. That very same day my dil had her due date 🤰 for the second child, so I was invited to spend the day with my beautiful 😍 granddaughter and her lovely parents. Upon arrival I was confronted with the words: 'welcome, happy birthday, this is your last meal 😮, we are leaving for the hospital after lunch, have a nice time and look after our daughter!' Well, I in fact did have a nice time with little Tilda and we turned in earl after being reassured, that things weren't progressing at all! When I woke up at 3.30 am to find my son had just returned, I was certain, he had been sent home to get some rest... When I asked him the likes, he replied: 'no, baby Béla is here!' I took a few seconds, mind you I still wasn't quite awake, only to reply: 'but Béla is a boy's name😮?!? My son laughed and confirmed, that in fact Tilda has got a healthy little brother, who was born just a few minutes before midnight!🎉 So, all's well that ends well😅! Hope everything resolves to plan with your monumental project!

[@filipar949]

#DeWalt this is your cue to gift these hard working lovely people an anniversary present 🎁 belated congrats all around 🥂

[@Hagar2670]

Happy Birthday Kylie and Happy Anniversary to the both of you!

[@mag1071]

Happy Birthday Connie! I hope the next one will be much better👏👏👏👏👏🙏🏻

[@vincenzo3292]

Happy birthday. I would cut back the rotted joists to solid/good wood. Use the joists you removed (room for the future staircase), which I am sure have solid/good wood in them, and collect a good solid section. Use those scraps and sister or shiplap them to the joists that were rotten, leading up to the front door. Use epoxy and all thread to make a new, longer joist. Sand and fair, stain to render an architectural joint that matches the aesthetic of the home. Be sure to recess the all thread and nuts, cover with filler. I have done something similar in my home. Cheers!

[@athertones1775]

Pulling up all those floorboards and stuff and you still haven't discoved a fulcrum, your gonna kick yourselves when you discover how much easier levering "anything" is when you use a fulcrum.

[@inabates8919]

OH MY GIDDY AUNT, HOW BLOODY SCARY 😧❣️

[@vickyoakes4584]

Happy Birthday Kylie and Happy Anniversary to you both!🎉 I admire your attitudes and perseverance, you're doing a great job!

[@aidenjohns8248]

Well done guys! big out the way, the saw is probably a set of 50p brushes, some are easy to change, some make it impossible to change,

[@joannastanczyk853]

Happy birthday❤️anniversary! Definitely it’s not boring and obvious way to spend this day and celebrate but I think that is really happy day because You guys have each other and You are in the development process which is PRECIOUS! Lots of happiness both of You.

[@Pete-nl8ok]

Happy Birthday Kylie and Happy Anniversary you two!🎉

[@chadelaeva]

Congratulations on your Birthday and Anniversary! Wishing you blessings of health, strength, prosperity and no more surprises like this one ☺️🎶🍷👏🏻

[@JaniceSeagraves]

Happy birthday and anniversary, Kylie.

[@sgrvtl7183]

Great Video ~ Happy Birthday Kylie and Happy Anniversary~ Relax & ENJOY ~~

[@sandralnwebster3204]

Your house will be a sturdy home when you are finished rebuilding it! I admire your tenacity and positiveness when dealing with a miserable problem! Some people would just throw a bomb in it and walk away- not you two! ❤

[@trishwood711]

Gidday Kylie & Guy from Oz. I’m a new subscriber and love your channel. Perhaps it’s because Kylie is part Aussie and goes and goes like an Ever ready battery (sorry Guy your’e also great but you’re a bloke after all ) or maybe it’s because of the way you work well as a team. You are both absolutely fantastic and your work ethic and attention to detail is inspiring. I’m so glad I found you and look forward to your journey ahead. There’s not a doubt in my mind that you will reach all your goals. Just love your work and your ‘realness’!!

[@christinarogers5933]

Happy Birthday Kylie! Happy Anniversary as well. I love your tenacity an good spirits when things don’t go as planned.❤

[@JoannaDabrowskaGetaheadOnline]

Good God guys. You are so lucky that you took off the tile and inspected the floor boards.I cannot even think what could have happened if you didn’t. I deeply admire your resilience and ability to carry on. Happy birthday Kylie and all the best.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

We knew the floorboards were damaged, we could see from underneath, so it was always the plan to remove and replace. Just didn’t know the extent of it, or the joists

[@irislozinsky3960]

Thank God you didn’t break through! Big job!

[@Reet64]

Well, you both seem to roll with it so well. Hoping for smoother sailing and belated good wishes for your birthday and anniversary.

[@vonderdornburg]

Glad you found that now. Hope your next anniversary/birthday is a lot more fun!

[@rt3box6tx74]

New recip saw>> 🎁 Happy B-day! 🎂😘

[@carole4119]

So glad uour back..luv From USA

[@offgridwanabe]

No material will protect you from a bad design. I can't imagine what shape 40 year old OSB would be in after such abuse.

[@michellebeissel3937]

The Queen and King of Restoration! Super excited about the staircase, such a magnificent, unfolding goal to sustain your inspiration as your dream home gradually becomes a reality. Will this 3 story space eventually house more than a staircase?

[@01AceAlpha]

I was waiting for you to fall through the floor, like Tom Hanks in the “The Money Pit”!

[@Marie-yx5ie]

Happy Birthday Kylie and Happy Anniversary to you both, great work guy's 🥳🎉🎊🥳

[@jeniceowen5184]

Scary you both have been walking on paper! Happy Birthday!

[@ingridcatalano4706]

Happy birthday Kyle and happy aniversary to you both!!!! You're so hard working people, really admirable!!!! That floor war really in a terrible state!!! I'm so curious to see how it will look like when finished!!!

[@jenniferbaker19]

Happy birthday from south australia Kylie and great persistence from both of you. Another surface bites the dust - yes it will be resolved soon. Hope the 9 kittens are well

[@hannernning274]

Happy birthday 🎉 you are amazing 👏 you both are 👍 hugs from Norway 😇

[@carolynkennedy7772]

Happy birthday, Kylie...and happy anniversary to you both! 🎉🎉🎉 Hope you got to do SOMETHING a little bit fun, anyway!

[@kitsurubami]

You two are such an inspiration!