DIGGING DEEPER

Did I mention in yesterdays blog post, that many of my projects turn into much more than meets the eye?  I said something like they're never easy, and the repair of the water damaged floor at the front door, turned into exactly one of those can of worms projects.

When we purchased the house, we knew from day one, that because of a loose tile, and some other evidence, that there was possibly more damage under the tile.  When I pulled off the first row of tile near the door, a few weeks ago, I thought that perhaps I could just replace the tile.  Later, when putting weight on that section of floor, I could see the floor move, and I knew it was much more serious.  What I didn't know then, was just how extensive the damage was.

It appears that water had been getting under the front door for quite a long period of time, as the more my two guys tore into the floor and wall, they continued to find dry rotted wood.  When all of the damaged wood had been removed, Marteen, the classic fix, or build anything kind of guy, tried for a couple of hours to get the doors and frame back square with the house.  Because of the damage, both doors were sagging toward the middle, and dragging on the threshold when opened or closed.  Due to the rotted wood, not only on the bottom, but on the sides of the doors, we both determined that the only way to really fix the problem was a new pre-hung door and frame.  Marteen located one in town at the Window Depot, and Patty and I were off to retrieve it.  

By mid day, we were back at the ranch with a new set of front doors, and $616 poorer.  Marteen had the new wood installed, and the opening for the new door was once again square.  From that point, the installation of the new doors, the drywall repair, the replacement of the ceramic tile, and the repair of the front steps was pretty straight forward, and completed without any complications.

Some of the water damaged wood from under the threshold of the doors.

 

 The new doors in the back of our trailer.

 

 The new door combination as it is placed in the opening.

We have some painting to do on the inside, and the outside, but the job is done, and despite the extra cost, we both feel good that the problem is gone.  Patty still has the doors she likes, with the venetian blinds inside the door, and I can cross off one more project on my long list.

The wood, and construction materials showed up yesterday, and the 4 man crew started framing the garage.  It's amazing how much progress they made, and I'll have pictures tomorrow.