- Definitely agree—attics are wild cards. Last place I checked had a squirrel skeleton and a pile of ancient insulation that looked like it came from the moon.
- On knob-and-tube, I’m with you: if it’s still got cloth insulation and you’re seeing cracks or heat damage, it’s not worth the risk. Sometimes I wish I could just leave it if it’s untouched, but peace of mind wins.
- One thing I always check is if they ran any old wiring through insulation. That combo is just asking for trouble.
- Found a glass Coke bottle in a wall once... not as weird as your mummified mouse, but still made me laugh.
Found a glass Coke bottle in a wall once... not as weird as your mummified mouse, but still made me laugh.
That’s hilarious—I once found a pair of baby shoes tucked behind some old lath and plaster. Still not sure if it was for luck or just someone’s idea of storage. Has anyone ever found something that actually made you pause and rethink your design plans? I always wonder if I’m the only one who gets sidetracked by the “treasures” in these old houses.
I get the appeal of those little surprises, but honestly, I try not to let them sway my plans too much. It’s easy to get caught up in the nostalgia or weirdness—like when I found a stack of 1940s newspapers under the floorboards, I almost wanted to frame them instead of finishing the job. But at the end of the day, sticking to the budget and timeline usually wins out for me. Sometimes you just have to appreciate the find, snap a pic, and keep moving... otherwise nothing ever gets done.
I totally get where you’re coming from. I once found a whole box of old matchbooks from the ‘60s behind a false wall—spent way too long flipping through them before realizing I’d lost half a day. It’s tough to balance the thrill of discovery with just getting stuff done. Ever run into something that actually changed your plans, though? Like, finding knob-and-tube wiring or something you just couldn’t ignore? Those are the surprises that really mess with a timeline...
Those hidden surprises can really throw a wrench in things, no doubt. I’ve opened up walls expecting an easy fix and ended up staring at a maze of ancient wiring or pipes that just shouldn’t be there. It’s frustrating in the moment, but honestly, those curveballs are where you learn the most. Sounds like you handled it—sometimes you’ve just got to roll with what the house gives you.
