Inching Along
Yesterday.
Yesterday.
Today! It’s like yesterday didn’t happen!
I finished repairs to the rotted lower left corner, and reinstalled the original siding.
Sounds easy, right?
Alas, no.
Each piece of removed siding sat in a stack, so I could put each piece back in the right order, bottom to top. But first I had to (I had to!) disk sand each piece, and also laboriously scrape the very bottom edge which had a lot of paint build-up. Oh, the horror!
Luckily, putting the siding back on was easy, and I even reused the original nail holes!
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It’s looking better and better with every post! And you must be so happy to know that you found and elminated the rot. I’m not sure a hired house painter would have investigated the problems you found.
Question: Was there a screen door on the north side? It looks like there’s a spot for hinges in the door frame.
It’s not like that at all. Yesterday it looked old, worn and fragile. Today it looks substantial. You did good, Ross. You made the world a better place.
Well I have finally caught up with Restoring Ross! Thank you for your generous entertainment and education of old homes, design, building, and architecture. I was randomly introduced to your site via the Circa interview and have been following along for the last few weeks. I may have missed a post or two…since I missed the unveiling of the library, still don’t know how you could afford to live elsewhere and keep up the restoration. I wish you well and have one suggestion that maybe you could turn your blog posts into a book.
I’ve been inspired to look at my mom’s home in Western NY. We know the land was purchased in 1860 but the build date isn’t clear. We have some history of the home to my very large family of 9 siblings. The house isn’t anywhere as elegant or large as the Cross House but on a recent visit I took photos of the stained glass chandelier and two other brass ones that have always been a part of the home. I also found traces of 1913 newspaper in the basement ceiling and wallpapers.
Many blessings as you continue your fine work. I wish I were closer as I desire to lend a hand to get that home fully painted and restored!
It’s too bad that an unforeseen problem cost you some valuable time, but I think that these issues are often an great opportunity to see the inside bones of a house. When you look at 2X4s and 2X6s that are actually 2″ by 6″, and that haven’t been seen in over 120 years, it is about as close as you can get to visiting (in your case) Charlie Squire’s carpenters back in 1894 as they were building the house you are now restoring.
I would say that valuable time is well spent, when it leads to the home standing proudly another 120 years.
I agree with Mike regarding the original nuts and bolts or timber & nails & closest to the carpentry of 1894. I have often marveled when you uncover the original “skeleton.” Fascinating!! Cross House is so amazing & you are painstakingly restoring her to fresh beauty! Simply lovely!
Bummer – I was interested to see how you replaced the missing sheathing, as there was nothing to attach it to on the right…?
Hi, Barbara!
I put a new board behind the old boards to the right.