Monday, November 27, 2006

Bathroom Floor Repairs

Willis started the bathroom floor repairs today. The realtor had noticed that the floor was soft next to the tub where the leak was. We found two layers of linoleum and particle board over plywood. The particle board near the tub was dry since the leak had been fixed a few weeks ago but it was mostly just flakes. Then Willis found that under the toilet was all wet and the particle board was like wet sawdust. It didn't seem that the water from the toilet got below the floor. New plywood will be installed and on Saturday we have new linoleum being put down.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Thanksgiving at Elmcroft

We celebrated Thanksgiving today (Saturday) at Elmcroft because George was in Minnesota with Laurie. Doug and Karen and their three kids joined Andy, Dorinda, Dimples, George and I. Remembrances were made to those not with us any more - Our dear mother Adelaide, Elaine, and Doug's father. Sadly, this will be that last holiday gathering of the Rumbold clan at Elmcroft. Most of us are going to other family for Christmas and the property will go on the market soon.

Melissa will be pleased to know that I replaced all the sockets in the chandelier so there is no more flickering.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

House Steps

The masonry contractor we hired has finished the front and side steps. I don't have before pictures but the front steps were crumbling away. The side door steps just needed re-pointing because there was moss growing in the mortar.

Carriage House Progress

Willis had to have custom bead board made to repair the soffet on the back of the carriage house. It had previously been repaired with plywood.
Before --------------------------------After
(Click pictures to enlarge)
Today he is starting on the stable siding, even before the windows arrive. He stripped off the clapboards and he is reinstalling them to close the gap at the top and to be horizontal. When done you will never know that the wall is sloping.

Notice gap at upper left ----------------now closed

Monday, November 20, 2006

Carraige House Loft Done

Our carpenter Willis finished the loft door and window area today. The clapboards above the door are special narrow boards with a rounded bead on the edge. Willis had some made custom to replace the rotten and missing clapboards. He also had some new sash made for the windows.

Before

After
The painting will have to wait for spring. Next is completing the stable area when the windows arrive.

Friday, November 17, 2006

More Repairs To Carraige House

The cellar door on the carraige house has been completed:

(Click on images to enlarge)
Before ..................................................After

And, the stable foundation is complete. We are awaiting the new windows to complete the siding.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Work on stable progresses

We poured the concrete for the new footings today. Next we install beams along the bottom of the walls to support the studs. We didn't jack to complete level because the walls started to pull away from the rest of the structure. But, we will get the wall stabilized and it is level enough to now replace the rotten windows.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Japanese Maples won't give up


The three large Japanese maples each have a distinct color. Clik on image to enlarge.