Re-pointing Our Fire

The exterior is ready to be sided spring 2019

I don't know where the time has gone, during the winter months, Greg retreated inside to our last room renovation. We demo-ed it in the summer months, so the room was ready for framing and insulation.  Greg spent a few weekends insulating the entire ceiling and walls.  With each batt of insulation, the house seemed to become warmer. Our house has been 5 years, part house and part workshop.  I forgot what it means to own the whole house. What a never ending journey for both of us.  Thanks for taking the time to follow along with us.

Greg has to fit each sheet to fit into the rafters.  He's fast at hanging gypsum and uses ceiling cleats to do it alone, and it requires a great deal of measuring and precision.  The rafters are the highlight of the center of our house, as we see them now taking shape and the space opening up, we are filled with resolve.  Folks, we are seeing the last 10% of the project ahead of us and we couldn't be happier.

Original pic of the fireplace

Because he works most weekends and doesn't get enough rest, we take it slow on Saturday mornings. Our routine is drinking our coffee and munching on breakfast, planning the day and watching the TV series This Old House on PBS.  Greg respects the workmanship of Norm, Tommy, and Richard.  These men recently did a house project in the downtown of Charleston in the Elliotborough community.  This Old House is committed to training young men and women desiring to learn the trades.  They partnered in Charleston with American College of the Building Arts located near us.  I broached Greg with the possibility of emailing this college about re-pointing our fireplace and examining our wrought iron fence and gate.  Greg could do the fireplace, but it would move the project along to hire it out, so I construct an email through their website.  Within a week, ACBA contacted Greg.  Mason Professor Staley dropped by to give us an estimate on having their students do some work for us while learning their craft.  He took a tour of our house and placed his hand on Greg's shoulder.  "I like this Greg, it's old school building.  You don't see this much anymore."

What the fireplace started out prior to repointing and pressure washing.

This is a pic of the hearth tore out before the re-pointing is done.

Prior to re-pointing is complete

Notice the plastic curtain on the opposite side of the fireplace.  This dust brought us back to what we used to deal with when the floor system was open.  

Greg did his best to keep it out of our living space, but it was a depressing mess to say the least.  The mason ground out the old mortar creating huge dust clouds.  Vacuums only handle so much.  The bottom line, we had to work through it.  We kept our bedroom doors shut and covered the kitchen in sheets of thin plastic, wiping down everyday after work in the evening. It was a huge imposition, and I was ready to be done.  The last day, Greg opened the floor system up into the foundation, and they pressure washed the brick returning it to its original 1929 color.  We are so please with the way it turned out.  It is a center, two-sided antique fireplace to be up-fitted with gas logs, a focal point for our cottage.  Exciting days to see our project come together.

Representatives also examined our fence, which they dated in the 1950's.  The top of our gate is hand molded much in the style known here in Charleston.  We will sandblast and paint it in spring/summer of 2019.  Our family and friends remain our focus even in the midst of such a project as this, in the end they are what we keep with us.  We hope you have life to share with those you love.