Thursday, August 15, 2019

Next up

Now that the chicken pen is finished, there's another project I've been scooting down the todo list for about four years.

There was an oak tree behind the barn that lightning had smite'd many years ago. I kept telling myself that I needed to cut the dead tree down but I never did.

When storms swept through in the spring of 2015, the tree fell. Thankfully, part of it fell one way and the trunk fell toward the barn.

The very tip of the truck raked siding off the back of the barn. All the beams and rafters were intact, but the siding was gone. It could have been much worse.

The front and sides of the barn look great, but the rear wall bugs me every day when we walk. FIX ME. FIX ME. I DESERVE BETTER TREATMENT THAT THIS. I'VE KEPT YOUR TRACTOR DRY FOR ALMOST A HUNDRED YEARS.

I've contacted carpenters a few times, but I never managed to get a game plan together to make repairs.

At the first of the year when I noted the projects for this year, the chicken pen was close to the top, but just under was to fix the rear of the barn.

I'll use treated 6" x 6" timbers on the corners, 4" x 6" on the foundation. I can get these at Home Depot. The siding is another story. The sawmill where I bought the wood when I rebuilt the front and sides went out of business.

This week, I found a sawmill that does rough-cut siding for the sides.

Soon, we'll begin making repairs. I'll document the progress here.


9 comments:

  1. I look forward to the progress reports.

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  2. Shame on you for allowing the barn to fall into such disrepair.
    Alphie

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  3. The barn will be so thankful for getting some well deserved attention. It will be beautiful again.
    We have a gentleman who helps my husband fix machinery at the farm and he has a portable saw mill. He cut a lot of boards from our own trees for my husband a few years ago.
    Good luck with this project.
    Hugs, Julia

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  4. Cant wait to see the finished project but I find the barn beautiful just as it is. Lisa

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  5. I love old pictures of buildings that have fallen into disrepair. What stories they must have to tell.

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  6. I wouldn't even lean on that barn.

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  7. There's something magical about dilapidated structures like yours.

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  8. having someone in family who can help in works like this is relief

    i have brother in law who is electrician and is lots of help when needed and cheaper too

    old barn sound fascinating
    you shared nice series of images ,restoration did great :)
    hope you have it again soon

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  9. Funny I saw barn in progress before the before....you have made headway for sure!,

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