Three more leaks in the conservatory came to light during the week, after snow and wind probably drove moisture into nooks and crannies not normally reached by the more usual watery precipitation.
Just when you think you’ve had all the necessary maintenance done…
Yesterday, we had the old shed floor ripped up and replaced by a new one. The old one was rotten and our feet had already gone through it in several places. Walking around in there had become hazardous, as one had to watch out for the potholes. The new hardwood floor beams should hopefully stop the plywood plates on top from succumbing to the moisture in the air.
We’ve also had a new stone sill placed in the doorway, because the old one was rotting away.
Considering that we had a new roof, including beams, put on the shed last year, much of the structure is now new. Only the outer walls, doors and ceiling are the ones that were in place when we purchased the property.
Our first floor garden balcony was also ripped up and inspected yesterday. The balcony wall had its top recovered with mortar.
In an effort to prevent future leaks from the balcony, we still need to have a waterproof roofing surface burned into place on top of the concrete floor. This work will probably be done between Christmas and New Year, while we’re in the US.
Before we go to America, we also need to have a window replaced and the grout along the conservatory window frames renewed. Some of the frames themselves may also need to be renewed. This work is currently scheduled for the last workday before we leave for the US, which makes me slightly nervous, but I choose to acquiesce to the schedule of the people doing the work, rather than risk their being unable to find a slot early in the new year.
I hope next year’s maintenance costs are low, because we’ve had an expensive twelve months: a new garden, repairs to the brickwork all around the house, boiler problems, etc. And the damaged dining-room ceiling hasn’t even been repainted yet, although our insurance will hopefullly ultimately cover that.