The Yukky Necessary Stuff

If you're tuning in for pretty photos of inspiration, this post won't be for you.  If you're looking for support and information about restoring an old house, read on.

I think if we're spending money on the house, it should include pretty furniture or bedding, some new curtains or fresh paint.  How about some fab new lighting, or a new appliance.  Just give me something that I can admire when it's finished.

Most assuredly we will have many of those projects in our future with the Farmhouse on Main, but this is not one of those times.  Nope, instead we're pumping money money money into glamorous foundation repair.  Doesn't that get your pulse racing?

I went back and forth on even posting about this repair.  But, here's the thought that propelled me to share it.

How can I share what it's like to own an old home without sharing what it's like to own an old home.

Not sure how many of you have ever restored, or are living in, a vintage home.  If you are, then your home is most likely on pier and beam.  I adore pier and beam homes, in fact it's all that we have lived in throughout our marriage.  But, they sure do tend to settle, particularly here in Texas. 

These are the original timbers that were used in the foundation of the house.  The centers are rotten and hollowed out so they all had to be replaced. 

As such, we've been through foundation repair, or what we refer to as "leveling" numerous times.  It's a stressful process for me, not only because of the great expense that typically accompanies it, but more so because of the damage it causes to the house. 

The back of our little farmhouse slopes significantly from the front, many of the rooms have the feeling of running downhill, and the floor is "bouncy" in some places so this project was an absolute must.

It's always, among the first repairs we do because leveling a house can cause damage to sheet rock, windows, wallpaper, wood, etc.  Sometimes significant damage.  The level of damage is relational to the amount the house has to be raised or lowered to make it level. 

Since our sweet farmhouse needed significant leveling on the backside of the house, the damage is significant too.

Isn't it lovely?

But, even amidst the damage pretty things can be found.

Look at the original beadboard walls peeking out from behind the broken sheetrock.

I was telling hubster last night, it's almost comical.  You pay foundation repair companies good money to perform a repair that you know is going to cause damage and create more work.  It's not intentional mind you, it just comes with the territory. 

I still remember the shock I felt after having our first vintage home leveled, I was unprepared for the damage it caused.  Now, I know what to expect and the damage still unnerves me.  But, unless you are content with the unlevel rooms, it has to be. 

This is definitely not something you want to do after you've spent time and money painting or wallpapering.  We made that mistake with the first vintage home we purchased.  And, although we did paint one bedroom that is located on the front of the house because we knew it would be unaffected by the foundation repair.....everything else has had to wait.

Foundation repairs can be quite costly, usually deep into the thousands, and are best left to the professionals. If you are facing this situation, do your homework.  Ask around, check the Better Business Bureau, and don't just go with an estimate because it's the cheapest.  Good companies stand behind their work and usually offer warranties. And, you typically have to wait for them because they are busy.  We've been waiting for 3 months.

These are just a few of the tidbits that we have learned in our years of restoration, I'm hoping it might benefit some of the newbie vintage homeowners. 

At the end of the day, I did have something to admire.  A kitchen, hall and dining room that I can stand in that no longer have sloping or bouncy floors.  And, the most beautiful thing of all.....the knowledge that we can now officially begin to work on our sweet place!

Now, it's time to get busy with wall repairs and get rolling on our lil Farmhouse!!  My heart is singing, get ready for lots of updates!  :-))

But first, it's almost time for the Mistletoe & Magic show that takes place November 16-19 at the Harvey Convention Center in Tyler, Texas!  We're ready and so excited!