We are replacing the old single-pane sliding glass door with a new double pane one... it was supposed to be something I could do with just a little supervision from Henry. Well, this is a REALLY old farmhouse, and the folks who built it were more interested in the farm than the house - the house sort of grew and has been left to pretty much take care of itself. The personification of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", or in our case "if it didn't already fall down, you don't need to put it back up". The house doesn't, for the most part, let in the rain... so we haven't been overly concerned with fixing it up. Yet.
When I got the trim off, and the door panels off their tracks, and Henry helped me move the sliders to the yard... it looked like the top picture. After I removed the metal door edges so I could "slip" the new door into the hole, there was some real age and water damage that was only too evident. The part of the deck in fron to the door had to come off so the poor old house could have it's underpinnings re-shored and some structural members replaced. Most of the building is standing on Piers, or rather big chunks of native stone, and in a few places the support members LOOK like they are touching the rocks, but the wood is just powdery.
We have a big green tarp over the opening at night, and the kitties think that is ever so much fun... the popping in and out of the big hole - the world's largest cat door, and no annoying flap to have to push! At dusk we put up the tarp and secure the bottom with bricks so they won't go out and get into trouble with the coyotes and racoons. They don't much like that part... no fun staying inside all night until She lets us out in the morning!
Been there done all of that! I have to agree, my weekend is looking far more pleasant that yours. :(
ReplyDeleteOnce that new door is popped into place, the deck is repaired, well, you'll be happy. Looks like you bought a real fixer upper?!