The Riva House

08/12/2026

Renovation Tip: What’s Hiding Behind the Walls and under the floors? 🐜🏚️

One of the biggest lessons we’re learning during this renovation is that what you can’t see can absolutely affect what you’re building on.

While opening things up, we uncovered evidence of termite damage—both active and existing—and this is exactly why thorough demolition and inspection matter before jumping straight into the pretty stuff.

Termites can cause serious structural damage over time, especially around:
• Floor joists and subfloors
• Wall framing
• Sills and plates
• Areas near plumbing or roof leaks or moisture entry points
• Wood that has been in contact with damp soil

And here’s the important part: termite damage doesn’t automatically mean every piece of wood needs to be replaced. The next step is determining how extensive the damage is, whether it’s old or active, and whether the affected framing still has the structural strength it needs.

We took the time to investigate it properly before rebuilding. That means inspecting surrounding framing, looking for moisture sources, determining the extent of the damage, and bringing in the right professionals when needed.

Renovations have a funny way of turning into a detective job. 😂

Every wall we open tells us a little more about this house—and sometimes the biggest discoveries are the ones nobody planned for.

The goal isn’t just to make it look new. It’s to make sure what’s underneath is solid enough to last.

08/12/2026

demo dairies • week three + four

The floors are coming up! 🛠️🏚️

Another layer of this house is finally being peeled back, and these hardwood floors have definitely put up a fight.

Room by room, we’re getting closer to seeing what we’re actually working with underneath. Years of neglect, flooring, old materials, nails, staples, and who-knows-what-else are coming out as we continue the gut renovation.

But there’s something satisfying about watching the old come out and slowly making way for the new.

One floorboard at a time. One mess at a time. One step closer to bringing The Riva House back to life to be able to enjoy and make memories. ❤️🏡

And trust me… we’re finding some things underneath these floors that we definitely weren’t expecting. 👀

Stay tuned. 💀😭

07/16/2026

Took a break from the renovation to remember that Tractor Supply still has baby chicks!

07/11/2026

Today was a reminder that it’s okay to slow down.
To sit by the river, listen to the water, to watch the sunset, to appreciate this beautiful property that first made us fall in love with this place. The house is still a work in progress, but the memories don’t have to wait until it’s finished.
Every wall we open, every surprise we uncover, and every decision we make is part of this story. Some days we make huge strides. Other days we simply pause and take it all in.
I’m immeasurably thankful—for this opportunity, for the people helping bring this vision to life, and for the chance to restore a home while creating something that will last for years to come.
The renovation will get done. But these quiet moments by the river? Those are worth renovating our perspective for.
Here’s to trusting the process, embracing the journey, and remembering to enjoy the view along the way.

07/09/2026

🚨 Demo update! You never really know what’s hiding behind the walls until they’re open… and week two left us with some surprises…we found evidence of TWO roof leaks in completely different areas of the house. 😬

The big question now: Are these old leaks from years ago, or are they still active?

Our next step is to investigate the source of each one, check for any hidden damage, and have our contractor take a second look to determine exactly what repairs are needed before we move forward.

This is why demo is so important. It’s better to uncover problems now than after everything is finished.

Follow along as we bring this house back the right way—one surprise at a time! 🛠️🏡

07/09/2026