Because the asbestos was directly on the cement walls in the basement, DDCon was unable to remove it entirely, since cement is porous. They sprayed it with a sealant, but we still have to encapsulate it, and the best way to do that is with spray foam insulation. And insulating the basement is a good idea anyway. So today the crew has started framing out the walls. They've removed a foot of the ceiling all the way around the room, so we can also insulate the headers and so they can attach the inner walls to the joists.
After some weighing of pros and cons, we've decided to square off the windows, which currently angle off to right and left. It loses a bit of the character of the place, but it's simpler, cheaper, and covers the cement better. We'll be left with deep window sills, which I find charming.
We can't do the electrical work and insulation yet, though, because we have yet to receive the report from the Conservation Authority, so once the framing is done, all progress comes to a screeching halt. They have yet to tell us if we have to make any special accommodations (for example, raising all electrical outlets further off the ground in case of flooding). Personally, I think potential flooding should be the concern of my insurance company, not the Conservation Area (and we're up on a hill and have had no history of floods in the 80+ years the church has been here), but there's no point in arguing, I guess. Though at this rate, I'll be ready for a nursing home by the time we get the zoning approved!
At least there's a little visible progress in the meantime. A few shots of the chaos in the basement:
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