Lead Flashing a Chimney - October 2015

Last spring the storms, which were record breaking ( lot of record breaking weather around) took off our chimney flashings. We were planning to replace them this summer 2015. But with water coming in on the easterly winds, we had to deal with the potential problem before this winter.

We ordered some BARGE BOARDS.

 They lived on the garden path for a week.

 The scalloping matches those on the porch.

 The scaffolders started putting up gear at the crack-o-dawn. 700 quid! We had to make the most of it while it was here. We don't want to put it up on this wall again next summer.

 It took a while to erect it all.

 They parked on double yellows, but it didn't seem to cause a moments' problem for anyone.

The the lads could make a start.

We could scope the other chimney and ridge tiles, all of which will be serviced next summer - 2015.

Roof tiles look good, no cracks. Garden could do with a bit of attention.

Really horrible flashings on the other chimney.

Here we are, lead flashings, lead coverings on the purlings, barge boards protecting the once exposed roof timbers. All exposed/now covered timbers treated against woodworm/dry rot, sand cement mortar used to point brickwork to the top of the window. The rest can be done from a ladder next summer - lime mortar will be used and that needs the WHOLE summer to cure - frost is a lime mortar KILLER!!!.

conservatory Nov - Dec 2014

The conservatory on this house was rotten. 
It had to be taken down, before it fell down.

Most of it was put into a skip, the rest left here for re-use.

 Next, the replacement - Plastic,

 double glazed,

 a good match for the dead one we took off.

By Christmas, the householder had a carpeted, conservatory in which to entertain her family to a full on Christmas lunch.

Brought in on time and on budget.

Not bad work Team MeWally.

Dry Rot? -Sept 2015

OK, we've sorted the downpipe problem outside, and the wall of the house has dried out a treat. Rising damp's an issue for the pro's - LATER. So glad it was a record breaking summer: hot.

As you can see, a re-wire is on the cards! Thank goodness for modern circuit breakers - we have no idea what the deal is with the wiring here. It doesn't bear thinking about, but we're safe. Brings a whole new meaning to tripping out ...man!

We weren't too sure if there was an element of dry rot present here, certainly some fungal invasion was present - no fruiting bodies, but .... 

So is dry rot the panic making nightmare you hear about?

NO

It can be, of course.

Our house isn't crumbling away, we need to arrest any possible future problem - mitigation is important.

I raked out all pointing up to 3"/1m treated the whole lot with Wikabore and repointed.
The lime mortar had some Wikabore added as did the lime wash. Unusual to add any liqid to lime mortar, but needs must ...

Now we need to dry out the place, permanently.

Saw Horse -summer 2014

MeWally needed a saw horse for cutting up fire wood. 
Trouble is we have a tiny house and garden, making storage an issue.

 He decided to make one that would clamp into a workmate.

 It's a good height and stores away
 easily.

 Trouble is, that logs can move about as they're sawn. Not a great idea. So he attached a longish batten using a coach bolt so that the assembly can be easily moved/swung into and out of place.

The batten is tensioned onto the log by a bungee cord (blue line in this picture); one end attached to the batten and the other clipped to a low strut on the workmate.

All works like a charm.

Collapsed Drains? - August 2015

We've been aware for a couple of years that our downpipe soak away doesn't work'
We redug it, which helped for a while - then it too packed up.

Then, we found out that our neighbours' sewer pipe had collapsed. As they were all put in at the same time, we decided to check EVERYTHING; water in waste out. 

Guess what? 

The soak away wasn't. It flowed into the main sewer. Always had, trouble is it was completely blocked with whatever has come off the roof. The section 6'/2m section was replaced all the way to its' inspection hatch. 

 The water pipe was put in a lot lower than the original 6" - 9" depth.

 The main sewer was in tip top condition though - thank goodness.

 Water pipe.

 Good as new inspection hatch - new rim and lid, 

Now we know there was no huge problem lurking under ground, and we're good to go.

Around the back of the house we decided to update the busted ceramic above surface thinggy.

Ahh, don't you just love shopping?

Finishing off the wall - Summer 2013

To find the right capping stones; that's the challenge.

 Our local stockist with the largest range - IMO - is Chalford Building Supplies

 We left no stone unturned.

 These natural stone slabs were the best for us.

They'll need nifty trimming as the walls are curved, unlike the slabs.
The 30feet/10m run of wall will cost abou 80quid to cap using these slabs. 

Not a bad price.

Cute Paving Blocks - Sept 2014

We've had a small patch of weeds in our back garden for ever and decided to pave it.

We've had the blocks for about 10 years, lurking on Gerry the Dairys' farm and he wanted them for a patio, or something. So that forced our hand.

One hired van later and a lot of lugging and chucking of these little setts and we have the scene set for our latest creation.

It was the perfect Autumn job.

Not to shabby huh? 

How big is it?

You're looking at it!

I said it was small!!