One thing we always knew: the wonderful staircase in the house- a jewel of carpentry, at least 200 years old - was in need of expert attention.
When we first set eyes on it we loved it! it stands in the kitchen imposing yet trim, below a long, bright window reaching up to the second floor.
Superficially it looks OK. Take one step on to it and you feel the toll that 40 years of damp has taken.
The bottom of the stairs were rotten. At least the first few treads, possibly more.
Things were to get worse before they got better, as we cleared the house, rebuilt the walls and roof, the traffic, demolition and reconstruction all took a little bit more out of the stairs.
Time was up, We had to make amends!
Thankfully, Elaine's Brother Trevor, who is an expert craftsman stepped in. He came over this week and after 4 days hard work the stairs are transformed, and there are more slates on the roof.
We are over the moon!
Here's an annotated pictorial journey:
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| as we found it |
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| striking |
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| an historical feature of the house |
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| looking upstairs |
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| after clearing the debris |
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| the damage is revealed |
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| no bottom steps |
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| around the back - much rotten wood |
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| the ingenious construction method revealed |
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| this rail (much no longer there!) rests on a beam secure in the wall, and in the newell post, thereby avoiding the floor |
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| the structure is self supporting not touching the wall |
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| however. the supporting beam has rotted away |
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| a nice clean post hole |
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| the new main support - hand made from original timber sourced from the house - a thing of beauty! |
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| Trevor installing the new beam |
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| the detail |
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| clean fit! |
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| Trevor putting in the oak wedge to secure the newell post and return rigidity to the whole staircase |
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| from the back: new rail and tread supports |
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| gently does it - releasing the spindles |
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| new bottom steps - the framework |
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| temporary treads - the finished ones will go in after building work ends |
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| looking up : new stairs, new roof - fantastic! |
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| looking down |
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| better than ever! |
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| wonderful detailing |
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| dovetails on the treads - old and new |
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| the salvaged pieces to act as templates |
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| Elaine surveying the work! |
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| found under the base of the stairs |
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| a sunny day spent on the roof |
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| Trevor & John working it out |
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| slating at work |
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| on the ridge |
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| Thank You Trevor! great work! |
