While every week is busy, this past week was almost intense in the number and variety of projects undertaken. The cooler weather helped and we were able to start on long-held painting projects. However, painting is not all we did.
A number of repair projects were undertaken. I purchased a “multi-functional oscillating tool” recommended by Bob the Builder. Equipped with a wood cutting blade, I removed three sections of rotted wood, two on the east porch corner and the third on the east side of the house.
As with any new tool, there is a bit of a learning curve and subsequent repairs went better and took less time than the first job.
More work was done to the spindles and railings. The east steps received new rails and spindles on the right side; the right and left sides have now both been replaced. The south end railing was repaired with new spindles and bottom rail.
The right-hand railing of the front porch steps also needed the replacement of the bottom rail. However, this repair took on a life of its own after I discovered the end post needed substantial rot repair work. I was able to carve out a cavity in the post and fill it with 2x4s. This allowed me to salvage the post, which would have been difficult to replace. I just can’t run down to the lumber yard and find a matching replacement! Anyway, the repair turned out OK.
A (very) sharp eye may notice that the right-hand spindles are a bit shorter than the left. I salvaged the original spindles by cutting an inch off each end. This was enough to get rid of the rot and allowed me to re-use the spindles. At some point I will need to cut the left hand spindles to match, but that is a job for another day.
Moldings were cut and added to the front and east side steps. The steps were painted or repainted, and with the moldings and new railings, are looking pretty good.
As you can see, painting the porch decks still has to be done, but a lot of work has gone into these steps. Note the 3/4 inch trim moldings on each step, the hand-cut tread pads, and, of course, the painting and repair of the rails. Everything is a challenge, including the cutting of the trim pieces found at the bottom of the east porch posts. Because of the condition of the post, each piece had to be individually cut. This took more time than it should have but the end result looks good.
Speaking of painting, I have to include this photo Pam took of me while I was painting the new step rails for the east porch. The end of the board you can’t see is under the front porch railing, holding it down.
Another project was knocking down and spreading the large pile of dirt created when excavation for the garage addition cement slab was done.
The bottom photo, above, shows the pile leveled out. It has been raked and seeded, thus the sprinkler. I hope to have grass growing here in the next 7 to 10 days.
The leveling was done partly by hand and partly with the snow blade attached to the front of the John Deere LX 176 garden tractor. The blade allowed me to move some dirt around and create a more level surface than shoveling by hand.
And, finally, painting. I’ve already mention the painting of the steps, but we were also able to get started on painting the garage and back porch of the house. Here are a few photos of this work-in-progress.
In between cutting, painting, and leveling Pam decided it was time to clean the catio. Some repairs and alterations were required as I plan to put a door in the east end of the shed, which required interior insulation to be removed and relocated. I replaced the [north side] cat entrance with the original 4-pane window after removing one of the panes. This addition allows more light into the shed and will be a bit more weatherproof than the temporary insert we had been using since last fall.
Pam had to clean all the cat bedding and items used in the shed.
We also started to set up Pam’s permanent garden enclosure:
The hinge-side post (right) is set in cement. This project was part of a larger project of emptying the rented storage unit, as we have to have it empty and be out of it by the end of September. Rather than store the fencing, posts, and gate, Pam suggested I set it up now.
Other material was moved as well. The only two things left in storage are the engine for the Ford 8N tractor and my old – and non-running – Yamaha motorcycle. I will move those this coming week, when the trailer is empty after a run to the dump.
And that trailer is quite full, as another project involved cutting back the day lilies and other growth from around the house and from flower beds under the oak trees. Today Pam is cleaning around the giant sunflowers, as a wind storm last night knocked several of them down. (Ten of the 24 sunflowers that bloomed this year are still standing. The photo of the garden area shows the complete sunflower array prior to the storm.)
Watermelons were harvested and the old melon vines, as well as the pumpkin vines (which did not produce this year) were pulled out, put in the trailer, and the garden area mowed to make it look nice and neat. Even some non-blooming morning glories were removed, making way for the garden fencing.
A bit of time was spent scrubbing the green mold off the lower north side of the garage. Pam already had the hose near the garage for the catio cleaning so it was an opportune time to take on this task. Completion made the garage look much better!
Most weeks are busy here at 702 Main, but this past week seemed to have us in an extra gear. Much was accomplished, mostly due to the better weather/working conditions, but also because of the realization that we have only a few weeks left to get projects done this year.
I hope to get to Colorado for an extended visit later this month, then it will be off to Vancouver, Washington to pick up items from Felicity’s storage unit and deliver them to her new place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. When I get home it will be early October and winter will be fast approaching. Pam has ordered a number of items for fall planting, a task that will occupy several hours of work this fall. Time for project work is getting short.
One project that did not move ahead this week – the overhead garage door did not arrive. The supplier now says it may come in sometime between September 14th to the 18th. We hope.
Photo Archive
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Penny
I do love the selected barn red paint color. It was a delight to finally be at a point to start painting the actual house – but – there is an insane amount of detailing to be done, around doors/windows and white trim. That color red is not as forgiving of mistakes as was the previous pastel shade.
My ceiling medallion arrived for the parlor bedroom, something which also requires an insane amount of paint detailing. Yippee. It’s a work in progress; stay tuned.
Happy Trails.