Michael Dillon on the roof repairing the hole that let in the rain a few times this month. We have been searching for a company who would do this work since spring. Mr. Dillon agreed to help us out with our most severe problem, while we continue our search for a larger company with a lift to do some other smaller, somewhat less pressing issues.
This slate has been missing for a while and has resulted in some decay of the cedar shakes beneath (yes, the slate roof was put on over what was likely the original cedar shake roof) and the underlayment beneath that. Mr. Dillon believes he has solved this problem. On to the next!
Erin and I were fortunate to visit Kathy Chapman’s studio in Corinth. She has a beautiful workshop in the woods surrounded by exuberant gardens.
Kathy at her workbench with the top pane under repair. First she makes a rubbing (like a gravestone rubbing) so that she has a map, and then she painstakingly takes the window apart, carefully removing all of the old lead H-channel. The powder scattered is a combination of the cement that weather seals the window pieces into the H-channel and the old lead that in many places has turned into a powdery lead oxide.
The lower pane, restored.
Work has also begun on the front door security system and the emergency notification system from the sanctuary to the basement. This work is hoped to be completed by the end of September.