Wednesday was insulate the foundation/install new lattice day. Sargie's hard at work removing the old lattice.

April 25, 2019 - Thursday morning

50 degrees/partly cloudy/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I think Sargie and I, both, could have used more sleep this morning. She opens the Vision Center, so we're both up, bright and early.

After Wednesday morning's walk to Pentoga Village and back, Sargie and I began working on the front of the house.  I'll say this, it was a major undertaking and one we're glad to have finished.

After attempting to slide under the porch, I found there simply wasn't enough room to work on the far end of the foundation. 

 

Once I found a method, removing a couple of boards every few feet wasn't difficult, it just took time. Sargie and I had our own hammers and crow bars and we set to work.

I was shocked at what was found directly beneath the kitchen. There was an area of open space where the only thing between the outside and kitchen was the interior wall. The ninety-nine year old house had shifted creating a haven for mice and cold air.

It's no wonder we had a gale blowing through the front of the house every time the wind blew out of the northwest. 

We began removing boards every few feet.

Next came filling any and every gap with either liquid foam, insulation batting, or styrofoam. In some cases, all three were used.

I was able to install some of the foam board from above. It's a special insulation made especially for foundations and I was quite impressed with it's density. It even looked decent.

 I'd measure what was needed, go to the barn, mark it out, and finally cut the piece on the bandsaw. 

 

I'd done all I could from above. It was time to go underneath and work from that angle.



Sargie worked just as hard or harder than I did all day. While I was under the porch, she was reinstalling the boards that had been earlier removed. If she wasn't doing that, my bride was removing the old lattice or handing me tools from above.

It was late afternoon before the last of the insulation was installed. Time to begin on the lattice.

We measured then measured some more. The posts were off center just enough that it made installation more difficult than it should have been.

We improvised and between Sargie and me, made it all work. The first pieces were finally attached.

Then more.

And before we knew it, the porch was finished. Insulated and latticed, that's one big job we can cross off our list.

We were almost gleeful last night as we watched the old lattice burn. I imagine we'd have done a dance of joy had we not been so tired.

Needless to say, neither one of us had any difficulty sleeping last night.

Too bad spray foam doesn't stick to wood and concrete as well as it adheres to human skin. I had it on my hands, clothes, and in my hair.

As I mentioned earlier, Sargie opens this morning. I'm going for my usual walk then begin cleaning up the mess we made yesterday. I notice the back deck has developed a definite sag towards the front so that should be investigated. Otherwise, there's the last wall of the garden house that needs to be built and a shop that could use my attention.

The unmelted snow/ice was almost our undoing. Sargie slipped once and fell heavily onto her hip. I later slipped and took a nosedive. For a brief moment, I thought I might have broken my wrist in an attempt to stop my fall. Thankfully, the only injury was to my delicate ego.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...