Cincinnati February/March 2024

Sopping setback
However, the second floor did come in to
play in an unfortunate series of events.
On December 23, 2022, just hours after
Brian wished the crew happy holidays
and went home to the couple’s temporary
apartment, temperatures fell below zero.
That night, the power went out in Marble
Cliff. A pipe on an exterior wall burst in
an upstairs bathroom that wasn’t being
renovated. Returning to the home the
morning of the 26th, Brian discovered
water “pouring down like you wouldn’t
believe.”
After the call from Brian, Martin
rushed to the site. Brian had turned off
the water, but it was still pouring down
through the ceilings into the front living
room and the workout room and soaking
the crew’s tools and materials. Martin
contacted project manager, Matt Casto
and lead carpenter, Don Gaulin, who
both arrived within the hour. The men
worked to limit the damage as much as
possible and begin the drying out process.
“Those rooms were destroyed,” Martin
says, “We had to take them back down to
bare studs.”
While that delayed work for a bit in
those spaces, the crew shifted focus for
a few weeks and accelerated efforts in
other areas of the home that were undergoing
renovation.
The overall result is precisely what
Brian had in mind. Now, he says, there
is no reason to leave. He and Carrie look
forward to visits with any grandchildren
that may be in their future. “It will be a
great house for them,” says Brian. “With
the pool, the fenced-in back yard and
all the great benefits of living in Marble
Cliff.
Editor’s Note: This project won the
Contractor of the Year (CotyY) award from
the National Association of the Remodeling
Industry (NARI) of Central Ohio in the
Entire House category.
1
2
3
1 There originally was a post from the stairway to the ceiling. Major
framing in the ceiling above allowed it to be removed. 2 The fireplace
surround tile is also used as an accent wall in the adjoining bath. The
fireplace functions but is not used by the couple. 3 A sleek soaking tub, a
large quartz-walled shower and heated floors make the primary bathroom
especially inviting.
48 housetrends.com