Removing the old first floor from the PMR gîte (day 1)

Today we started removing the old first floor beams and MDF flooring. The job required some thought on the best approach but we worked out a good method after the first few beams.

First of all, we removed a short connecting beam (on the floor) apparently meant to strengthen the split cross beam. We then put in acrow props...

After a few attempts it was clear removing the MDF from the beams is near impossible due to the type of nails used so we decided to cut the MDF lengthways and leave it attached to the beam. 

Unfortunately the MDF is very heavy so for beam #2 we decided to cut the MDF very close the beam and this became our method of choice. 

The end in the wall (the other end rests on the central block wall) we just cut close to the wall and will be hidden by the additional rows of block.

The last beam of the day was a very big one, possibly 20x20cm and weighed a ton, probably oak (as they all are) and although it looked dodgy from the outside, inside it was as solid as new. That is the square beam on the right in the pile. 

The other beams we could remove whole and then cut in half as we could not get them down the stairs as 5m lengths. This last beam we decided was too heavy so cut it in half in place then used acrow props to raise it above the floor level and then roll it onto the floor so we could then lift/drag it downstairs. My guest is that 3m beam weighs around 250kg. 

Once we have worked our way along the kitchen, we'll remove the supporting cross beam, then we'll do the same on the shorter bedroom and bathroom beams. We'll then add the last 2 rows of block and put in the new Douglas fir 200x100mm joists on 450mm centres.

A very rewarding days work, more of the same tomorrow and probably the rest of the week