Figuring Out Guttering
A Renovation Journal
The journal is a little late. I’ve struggled a bit this week with the whole back-to-school routine and the cold early mornings. We’ve got lots of work to do up on the scaffolding but the temperature is too low for painting or repointing. It really needs to be above 5 degrees for two weeks before we can do either of those things. It’s quite frustrating but we are where we are. There are plenty of indoor jobs to be getting on with in the meantime!
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” - J.R.R Tolkein, The Lord of the Rings
Monday
It’s back to school tomorrow so it’s a laundry and ironing day. I pottered about and did some tidying up and computer work but nothing all that exciting.
Tuesday
I spent a long time this morning clearing out the drain outside the kitchen window. It looks like the dishwasher drains into the rainwater drain but I’ve no idea where it goes after that. We must get a drain survey done to work out what goes where and sort it all out. It stank to high heaven but it did at least clear and seems to be flowing now.
Wednesday
The wood floor is being fitted in the Estate Office bedroom today. Very exciting! We’ve also got one of the boys from the village here today. He helps us out when he’s at home. He’s clearing all the brambles around the tennis court so we can see what’s what.
Thursday
The floor is finished and looking good. There’s still a bit of movement in it due to the slightly wonky floor underneath but we’re hoping it won’t be too much of a problem.
We decided to get going with some guttering by taking the old soil pipe off the wall. It didn’t go very well. It was really awkward to reach and of course, it fell off onto the Durgo valve that we fitted last week and smashed it all to bits. Great! After that, we did a bit of tidying and gave up for the day.
Friday
Back up on the scaffolding to crack on with the main guttering run. The cast iron stuff that we’re replacing was wider than normal so we’re replacing it with the extra deep cast iron look plastic stuff. We spent a long time measuring levels and getting the fall right. It didn’t look right at all because the brickwork isn’t completely level but we checked it three times so fingers crossed we’ve got it right. And we didn’t break anything today unless you count the old cast iron gutters!
Saturday
We fitted the extra deep guttering and despite the plastic fittings being super difficult we did it and it works! We’ve also added an extra corner and short run where there wasn’t any previously and the wall down below was looking a bit green. It’s very satisfying to know that all those leaks are gone and the green bits on the walls can finally dry out! We started the short runs around the third-floor windows. We need a few more parts but it feels like we’re winning with the guttering now!
Sunday
I went to Screwfix for some parts early this morning but essentially we’re having a day off today. James has hurt his neck (probably trying to pull off that soil pipe on Thursday) and Emma sprained her ankle yesterday. I’m playing it safe and avoiding injury by taking it easy!
If you’re in the UK I hope you’re managing to stay warm in this cold weather. To my lovely readers from further afield I hope the weather Gods are being kind to you whatever it is you’re trying to accomplish! Have a great week x
This week I’ve been enjoying…
The Familiars for Book Club
A little winter sunshine
Making garden plans
Wildlife sightings of barn owls and deer
Our new wood floor
This week, for my paid subscribers, I’ll be posting a tutorial on refinishing a fireplace and how I got the look that I wanted without breaking the bank.
I like how you’re documenting every step, from tackling the frustrations of cold weather to making progress on your guttering project. It’s inspiring to see how you’re handling the challenges with such determination, especially after that mishap with the soil pipe. Your description of fitting the new guttering and finally addressing those pesky leaks really resonated with me. I can only imagine the relief of finally getting rid of those leaks and seeing the walls dry out. I remember when we were renovating our home and encountered a similar challenge with our gutters. We thought we had everything under control until we discovered leaks that needed urgent attention, and call https://gouttieressaintjerome.ca to handle it and they did a great job. Wishing you a productive week ahead as you tackle those exciting projects.