On the Roof and Under the House

FOR THE WEEK ENDING 09-30-2006

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK -

1. The house has been "de-duplexed." The picture at the left shows the framing of the wall in the large entry room that separated the downstairs from the upstairs unit. The entry way is quite grand. Better pictures to follow.

2. Foundation work began on Wednesday. We're getting 20 additional piers, several beams replaced, and leveling of the house. The picture in the upper right corner is 2 of the 3 workers who have dug the 36" deep holes that are 24" x 24" in size. Man, they are hard workers.

3. Roof, soffit, and facia repairs are in progress. We are not only the owners of 24' of scaffolding, we're the proud owners. How many of your friends own their own scaffolding? None of the roofers I had talked with were enthused about the soffit repairs and the ones that did send a bid, sent time and material bids at $20 - $35/hour/person. One guy estimated that it would be an 8 day project. So, I'm doing it myself. Pat gets nervous while I'm up there and I have a healthy respect for the danger of working aloft. We thank the Lord each day for the safety. So far, the injuries are blisters, splinters, mosquito bites, sweat, and grime.

4. After removing the acoustic/insulating tiles from the ceiling of the entry way, we found a signature of "Ed Steves & Sons, Est. 1866" painted very neatly on one of the boards. We don't know if this is the carpenter, lumber yard, or both who built the house in 1905. There is a "Steves Mansion" in another historic part of San Antonio that may offer us some clues. Stay tuned.
5. Visitors this week included the young man from the Home Depot Contractor's desk who thinks this is cool, a couple and parents who were looking at the house across the street from us, Emilio my neighbor who helped put up the last 6' of scaffolding, and various contractors.

6. We got our first mail at the new address. It was a bill. Get used to it.

NEXT STEPS -

1. First Porta Potty service call is scheduled for Monday morning. Whew!!!

2. Move the scaffolding to the front of the house for additional soffit repairs.

3. Foundation work is scheduled to complete.

4. I'm attending a Historic Preservation Review Committee meeting Tuesday, 3 PM. Purpose is unclear but I don't want to get on the wrong side of the City folks.

5. Choose a roofing contractor if the repairs get completed.