Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Rain, Rain, Go Away


Although the sun was shining for the beginning of the "If This House Could Talk" tour, the clouds came back on Sunday and it's been raining ever since.  Sam spent the week up on a ladder in the rain watching how water ran off the old drip edge.  I hadn't intended doing too much with the gutters and/fascia underneath it, but after watching the water pouring behind the gutters and behind the fascia into the soffits in places, Sam took it upon himself to start pulling things off to correct the issues.


It's not a big job or a big added expense but dealing with the drip edge is tricky without messing with the roof.  The solution was a thin strip of wood (seen with white primer) tucked behind the drip edge.  The gutter will mount just under the white strip of wood and ensure that water goes into the gutter.


The old attic vent was also replaced...


...with this new one that Sam built in this shop.


The tree people arrived to trim the tree.


It cost $200 to have the city reserve two parking spots on the street in front of my house so the limbs wouldn't fall on cars.


This was the tree before...


...and this is the after.


I guess it's like a bad haircut.  It's a little upsetting when it happens.  But it grows back.  Hopefully.


I went in to work late after watching the tree trimming...


...and came home to a new door.   


The whole unit was built in Sam's shop and put into place in a few hours.  The door looks pretty plastic painted with gray primer but it's wood....I swear.  The sidelights are filled in temporarily with plywood.  Doesn't the mahogany deck look great when it's wet?

The remaining cedar plank siding can now be finished.  Hopefully the rain will stop and the painting can  start before it gets too cold.  It's getting very close to being too late.

Cross your fingers for a few warm, dry weeks.

10 comments:

  1. I love the shiny rich look of the porch!
    Sam seems like a valuable guy to have around - you definately do not want to go through all of this and end up with water leaking through your walls.
    It's looking so good - yes, you better get to painting!
    I can't wait to see it with the sidelights exposed!

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  2. Hello- I'm a new follower : ) I'm looking forward to seeing your house as you restore it. You're going to have a lovely front porch and I really like the color of the front door.

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  3. Sam is definitely a keeper! Your house is looking more grand every day. Poor old tree, but it won't be a worry any more. We're getting your rain now tonight.

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  4. I think we have been experiencing the same frustrating weather here on Long Island. Anyway - the new door looks great. Lori

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  5. Keeping my fingers crossed for you! Looks beautiful so far! karin

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  6. Hi Steve,
    Everything looks so great! Love the new door and can't wait to see it with the sidelights. Tree trim also looks great. It's nice how it opens up the view of the front facade.
    I'm sending warm sunny days your way!
    Trina

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  7. You are going to be so glad you trimmed the tree after getting the house in such perfect shape. Everything is looking wonderful. Hope you get the dry weather you need. NC has had it's share of rain...my area had 20 inches last weekend. yikes!

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  8. It's all happening! Looking so good, and I've got fingers and toes all crossed for you.

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  9. hi steve,

    i need a sam. i want a sam. is he cute?

    everything looks great and here's to some dry weather.

    ~janet

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  10. STANDING ovation for your contractor and crew!!!! I think the tree trim looks soooooo much better! Such fabulous progress!
    And, no worries;) as we were painting this time last year and got it all done! (well almost all!)

    joan

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