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.
Every thing is looking great! You will be needing a rest when winter comes. Pam’s needle work looks really good. I especially liked the cat. I like the red barn paint also. It is a great accent.
Deb:
Thanks for the compliment. There is a lot of work getting done. Winter will bring some rest, but Pam already has a list of “indoor” jobs to work on!
Pam sews and does other craft work in the evenings, and I do some computer work and scan some slides. Projects don’t end when the sun goes down.
We used the same red paint when we painted our old place in Colorado. The color looks good in all seasons and the trim, particularly the white parts, “pops” against the red.
It remains to be seen how much painting we get done the rest of this year. The house definitely will not be done but we hope to have the porches finished.
As Pam said, with the color scheme we have selected there is a lot of detail work to do. My next post will show Pam painting the trim over the garage windows; each window (and door) takes about an hour to do.
Besides, with Covid, what else have we to do? 🙂
Good to hear from you!
Jer
With the exception of major painting and perhaps eventual roof work, it appears that you’ve completed most of the major tasks. At least you’ve minimized the chance of “falling through” when shoveling snow off the porches. Of course it’s never ending…
How does your anticipated painting schema compare with other area homes? Are most homes & yards fairly bland, or are some more interesting?
Given today’s weather along the Front Range, your Colorado trip may become a bit “interesting”. Sun exposed snow should melt in Park county, but the early snowfall is certainly unexpected. At least it’s eliminated Red Flag warnings, for awhile…
Larry:
Thanks for the note. Yes, some major work has been accomplished this year. Some siding and window frame repairs are still needed.
House needs to be winterized yet, including building some inside storm windows. A new window for the west side first floor has been ordered and Bob the Builder will install it, hopefully before the real cold weather hits.
Painting has been interrupted with the rainy weather this week and will set us back a few days.
We assumed the painting would span a couple of years as we did a section at a time. I will get quotes for painting the upper story.
Most of the houses around here are pastels or grays and whites. Pam’s paint scheme will be one-of-a-kind and much bolder than the neighbors’ paint jobs.
Our hope is that the Colorado RV was warm enough in the days leading up to the cold spell to “carry over” enough heat to keep freezing to a minimum. I’ll be in Colorado to check on it later this month.
Thanks for the comment!
Jer
Really enjoying seeing the transformation of “Heart House”, absolutely beautiful! Jer your detail work and trimming sure make the steps and railings look very neat. And Pams talent with color schemes,accent, decoration, and needlework continue to impress me! The two of you make quite a team and should have your own tv show! LOVELOVELOVE seeing all this as you create your beautiful home ***
Cindy:
Thanks for the response. In some ways it is sad the house was allowed to get into the condition it was when we bought it. Much of the work done, and still to do, involves just bringing the house back into good condition.
Every bit of work done, including the painting, improves the looks and functionality of the place and that lift keeps us going!
Keep checking in on our progress. Good to hear from you.
Jer