Porch Project (Before)

WED., AUG 19, 2009: The boxwoods and yews have been removed and now we get a real look at Hill Spring's front porch. *yawn* We originally wanted to extend the porch across the front of the house, but that will have to be done at a later date.



The steps show signs of decay plus they didn't have any handrails. I don't understand why they were never installed. Apparently it's illegal to not have them. We were very lucky no one got hurt.


The major support post for the overhead truss was floating in air. This post originally met with the top decking material. Under that another post was sunk into the ground, but it looks like someone shimmed it with blocks of wood to raise it high enough to meet the bottom of the deck. We'll use one long beam and sink it in a 3 ft. hole filled with concrete.


Instead of wood, we'll be using a composite material that won't need painting. The old wood will be salvaged to make seedling and work benches.

THURS., AUG 20, 2009: The workmen arrived this morning and wouldn't you know it, they discovered a gathering of wasps hiding UNDER the floating post. Or rather the wasps found one of the guys. For a moment I couldn't think of the treatment for a wasp sting, but then I remembered I had purchased a first aid kit for stings. I like to have one on hand if I'm out in the woods, or in one of the parks around here. Grandma used to make a baking powder and water paste which was then applied to the affected area. I've heard it gives relief as well.


The guys were pretty careful when they tore down the porch so we'll be able to reuse the lumber. They're even going to pull the nails out for us. The old railing will make a dandy perch in the chicken house. The girls will love it.


By the end of the day we had the support post in and the frame up.