Ep 3. Lady and the Damp

In Bargain Mansions season 3 episode 3 titled "Lady and the Damp," hosts Tamara Day and her father Ward work on a dilapidated 6,000 square-foot home in Kansas City's historical district. This episode showcases a sobering reality of renovating old homes- the presence of dampness. The house has been empty for years, which has caused rotting in the woodwork and an unbearable stench inside. Tamara and her father immediately notice the dampness and the impact it may have on their renovation plans.

The hosts embark on their journey to breathe new life into the property. The episode starts off with Tamara strategizing to remove the dampness inside the home to prevent further damage to the house. They start off by replacing the gutters and making improvements to the foundation. The hosts recognize the significance of creating proper drainage methods to prevent water from seeping into the foundation of the property.

As the hosts worked towards removing the dampness from the kitchen area, they came across unexpected challenges. For instance, they discovered that the kitchen floor has been coated with a sealant that caused the floor to warp from the dampness. Tamara and her father encounter significant challenges while trying to demolish the kitchen floor. Tamara's father, being a seasoned contractor, suggests a solution to remove the sealant-coated tiles with a jackhammer, and it worked. With the old tiles removed, the hosts decide to go with a wooden floor to add warmth to the kitchen.

Once the kitchen was sorted, Tamara and her team moved on to the other parts of the house. The mansion had extensive woodwork, which they intended to keep despite the dampness. Apart from the woodwork, they needed to fix the windows by removing and reinstalling each one of them. Tamara, an expert renovator, knew how to repurpose existing woodwork instead of buying new. Thus, they managed to retain several original features of the house.

The hosts continue with their renovation activity, and as they move on to the first floor of the mansion, they notice the dampness on the walls and the ceiling. To get rid of the dampness, they decided to resurface the walls and replace the ceiling. This was one of their most significant challenges since they had to remove the old ceiling while protecting the original crown molding around the edges. With the help of their team and specialized equipment, they managed to replace the ceiling without damaging the existing woodwork.

As the overall renovation kept moving forward, Tamara and Ward constantly worked on learning more about the mansion. They researched the origin of the home and its previous owners, and uncovered fascinating insights that led them to share some unique stories of the families who used to live in the house.

The episode closes with Tamara and Ward putting the finishing touches on the mansion. They successfully managed to remove the dampness and give the mansion a fresh vibe while preserving its original features. They transformed a neglected mansion into a beautiful home that was not only functional but also filled with a sense of beauty and history.