This blog has been set up to record the restoration of Ashgrove, which was devastated by fire in August 2007.
Please add comments of encouragement (or even suggestions for the colour of the walls, carpets, tiles, furniture....!!)

Thursday 26 February 2009

Roof back on track

A flying visit to Preston today to pick up Mumand Dad for Kate's wedding gave me the opportunity to see the extension and take a few pictures

The steelwork has now been shortened, and work can now continue on the roof. By the end of the day today most of the timbers were in place, and by early next week the roof should be watertight.

All this has meant that the plans have had to be changed slightly, and there will be gable end rather than a hip at the end closest to Cok's house.

Once the roof is complete the concrete base will be poured. The windows frames should not be far behind, and the double glazed toughened glass will be on order soon after.

Dave seems to be happy with progress and thinks that the building should be nearly complete by Easter weather permitting.

Mike






Friday 20 February 2009

Glitch with the steelwork!

Dave and a joiner arrived today to start work on the roof structure, and soon ran into a problem.

The steelwork is too high!

Dave says that his work is not at fault (i.e. the walls are the right height.) So either the drawings are wrong, or the steel is too long. Either way, the steel is too high for slates and drainage on the back wall of the house.

Dave thinks that the steel will have to be shortened, and Simon has been called to review the situation.

Postscript:

Just to let you know that later this morning the steel erectors called to deliver another horizontal 'girder' for fixing on the housewall side of the new room. Dave made them aware of the problem and they promised to be here on Monday a.m. (weather permitting) to lower the supports as suggested.

Meanwhile, Simon is calling a.m. tomorrow (Saturday) to review the situation.
Dave said that one of the benefits of all this is that the horizontal drainage which previously was planned to pass through the room below the roof ( presumably hidden from view) will now be above the roof and not seen. Watch this space!

Dad

PPS It transpires that the older joiner who came today is actually Dave's father. Shades of Andy and F/in/Law Colin!

Thursday 19 February 2009

Steelwork

This morning, after a week of unexplained inactivity at Ashgrove, the steel erectors (who, apparently had been working on a job in Stoke) arrived, and by 4.30 they seemed to have completed most of the superstructure.

These shots taken at 5pm as the light was fading will give you some idea of the size and shape of the superstructure.

A pile of 'raw' timber has also been delivered for the roof supports.

Dave Carr was here for part of the day keeping an eye on things, and Simon also paid two fleeting visits, but we did not get a chance to speak to him.

Dad

Tuesday 10 February 2009

Main scaffolding removed

Main scaffolding removed showing the rerouting of the drain pipes.

Supplementary scaffolding now erected for support when constructing the garden room superstructure.

The reveals on the sides of the upper rear windows have been covered and sealed with something that resembles lead flashing. It looks very good and blends with the slating.

I think our weather forecast is favourable so we should see more progress this week.

Dad







Friday 6 February 2009

Scaffolding and bricklaying

It's all happening at Ashgrove!

Fine weather today and it is all go.  The scaffolding is facilitating the rerouting of the rear main drainage pipes (with much noisy drilling), the painting of the rear windows and top bargeboards, and the reinstatement of the cladding slates.

Meanwhile the bricklayer below continues to build the double perimeter base wall which clearly shows the larger footprint of the new room.
 
Dad