Silver Lining

A silver lining in not having homeowners insurance (due to the age/condition, etc. of our house) - is that after a major event like that June hailstorm, we have the 'luxury' of getting our damage fixed quickly and efficiently -- unlike our neighbors who still have plywood on their windows, waiting for insurance adjusters or waiting for the back-logged contractors to get around to getting their insurance-paid repairs done.

Sure it was a setback some financially, but at least we could handle it on our own quickly (with the help of good friends too). Got the windows taken into a repair shop immediately. Then Steven and our family friend Mickey (who is an expert carpenter) began needed repairs on the window frames (some of which has been needed for years) so that when the new glass was ready, everything would be ship-shape.

I was very pleased with Steven's work on this. He didn't want to do half-measures, but totally got rid of any dry-rotted wood or problem areas and got it replaced right, then primed and painted so these particular areas hopefully won't have to be addressed again for a long time.


For the bathroom window (above), that included complete rebuilding the lower sill, and also having to take off some wood siding under the window and do repairs under the sill area, before the whole thing could be rebuilt. The header at the top also needed new wood; and then he primed and painted all of the windows frame and pieces, so they are sealed tight.

On my bedroom window (below), Mickey helped show Steven how to make a completely new "header" at the top -- matching the old decorative header that was there (which is common on this age of house). The old one was in pretty bad shape, so they got trim molding and used the mitre saw to cut everything at just the proper angles to replicate the antique style it has always had. It looks extremely good.

The windows were then ready for the repaired storm windows that went over them externally. We were back in business and good to go by the end of June, while our neighbors still deal with insurance. But then again, we have a higher need for working windows, since they are our primary means of cooling and ventilation during these summer months.

Now, we just need to get around to painting the rest of the house. But this is a good example of why that project is taking so long -- we don't just need to paint; but we need to also repair, refurbish, restore before we ever get the paintbrush in hand. It takes time and patience.

We have been thankful for this week's break from the unseasonably hot weather, and for the small amounts of rain we have received. Over 30 days of over 100 degrees was beginning to weaken our pioneer spirit a bit. :) Nice to be back to normal.

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(oh! and I just got a brand new front screen door too - finally! The dogs tore up the old one a couple years ago - we've needed a new one since, that could handle the dogs, but have enough screen area to allow good air flow. Finally found what we needed, and brought it home, sanded it, primed, painted and hung. That east breeze is heavenly!)