KEEPING THE WATER OUT

Four months ago we rebuilt several sills on the French doors.   We took time last week to continue working on those thresholds to prevent water coming in.  Donnie and I measured, cut, sanded and installed thresholds on all four upstairs sills.

We used fir for the threshold

  In order to create a tighter fit between door and threshold, we trimmed the bottom of each door.

When each door was cut there was a pronounced scent of fir.  That a piece of wood over 100 years old could emit such a scent was wonderful.

From the bottom up.....sill, threshold, door.....perfect fit.

                      

SEVERAL TENSE MOMENTS

  MANY years of water damage led to rot resulting in a basement window carrying the load of 3 joists.  Yesterday we undertook a major job...replacing these 3 floor joists and an exterior support beam. I say yesterday because that is when I became involved.  Truth-be-told, our general contractor Donnie has been mulling it over for some time and had done all the precautionary prep work days before.

 

Exterior molding removed and saved, stucco cut out, house jacked and braced from the interior, it was time to cut out and replace the joists and support beam.... 

YIKES!  Several tense moments ensued. 

Once begun, it was necessary to complete this fix to a certain point before the next day since rain and high winds had been predicted for the following day.

 So with the help of a spotlight, diligent workers,

and tandem screwdrivers,

we were able to leave the house secure.  PHEW !!!