How the house works

The House.

Practical reference for the systems and the rooms — what's where, how to operate it, and what to know if something stops working.

The plan

A "Home & Garden Concept Diagram" by Harry Levine, Architect (Pittsburgh) — the master plan for the renovation that became the Garden House as it stands today. The right-hand drawing is the floor plan with the room-by-room program; the left-hand drawing is the full site with garden zones, lot lines, and the relationship between house and grounds.

Master plan — Home & Garden Concept Diagram for 704 Amberson by Harry Levine Architect, showing site plan with garden zones and floor plan of the house
Master Plan — Concept sheet. Harry Levine Architect, Pittsburgh. Click for full size.
Master plan — detailed sheet with second floor plan, detailed site plan with right-of-way dimensions and neighbor parcels, and first floor plan, by Harry Levine Architect
Master Plan — Detailed sheet. Second Floor Plan (top left), detailed site plan (center) with right-of-way dimensions and neighbor parcels, First Floor Plan (right). The full document set lives in the Documents archive.

Mechanical systems

Heating & cooling

System type
e.g. forced-air gas furnace + central A/C, hydronic, mini-splits
Furnace
Make, model, year installed, location, last serviced
A/C / Heat pump
Make, model, year, location of condenser
Thermostat(s)
Brand, where they are, any zoning logic
Filters
Size, where to buy, change interval
Annual service
Vendor and recommended timing — see Maintenance

Plumbing

Main water shutoff
Exact location and how to operate it
Water heater
Make, model, year, capacity, location
Outdoor spigots
How many, where, winterization steps
Sump pump
If applicable — location, model, battery backup notes
Sewer line
Material, last cleaned/scoped, any history

Electrical

Service
Amps, panel location
Main panel
Photo of labeled panel; sub-panels if any
Generator
If applicable — type, fuel, transfer switch
Quirks
Any circuits that share, switches that do unexpected things

Other

Roof
Material, year, warranty, last inspection
Gutters
Cleaning schedule, any guards
Chimney(s)
Number, last sweep/inspection, working fireplaces vs decorative
Security / alarm
System and provider
Internet / wiring
Provider, where the demarc is, ethernet runs

Appliances

Make, model, year, and where to find the manual. Manuals are also linked in Documents.

Range / cooktop
Make, model, year
Wall oven(s)
Make, model, year
Refrigerator
Make, model, year
Dishwasher
Make, model, year
Microwave
Make, model, year
Washer / dryer
Make, model, year, location
Other
Wine fridge, ice maker, disposal, etc.

Room by room

Notes that help if you live in the house — paint colors, finishes, anything quirky.

First floor

Foyer
Paint color, finish, original elements preserved
Living room
Paint, finishes, fireplace status
Dining room
Paint, finishes, lighting
Kitchen
Cabinet maker, counter material, finish
Powder room
Fixtures, finishes

Second floor

Primary bedroom
Notes
Primary bath
Fixtures, finishes
Bedroom 2
Notes
Bedroom 3
Notes
Hall bath
Notes

Other levels

Third floor / attic
Notes
Basement
Mechanicals, storage, finished areas
Garage / outbuildings
If applicable

If something goes wrong

Power's out: TODO — what to check first, where the panel is, who to call.

Water's leaking: TODO — main shutoff location and steps.

No heat / no A/C: TODO — thermostat reset, breaker, who to call.

Sewer backup: TODO — who to call, history with the line.

Vendor phone numbers live on the Maintenance page.

From the archive

The house in photographs.

Interiors, finishes, fixtures, and rooms. Click any image to enlarge.