29 06, 2019

Hidden logs

2019-06-29T09:46:38+00:00

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Notice the still remaining painted corner-board. This greyed and weathered cabin was covered in siding as so many old cabins were at the time. When nearly everyone lived in a log home having a wood sided home was highly desirable.
Many of the old farmhouses that we see today have logs hidden within.

Originally posted 2016-02-12 17:33:45.

Hidden logs2019-06-29T09:46:38+00:00
29 06, 2019

The chimney betrays the era

2019-06-29T09:45:37+00:00

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She is a cute cabin… rustic and simple.
The men who restored her did a good job… they replaced the bottom log (the sill), the chinking was applied correctly (recessed), and the tin roof is a nice touch in keeping her modest in appearance… a working family home of the mid-1800’s and beyond.
My only disappointment is the chimney… the masonry “veneer over cinder-block” is given away by the random pattern of the stonework and the running bond pattern of the brick. I don’t mean to be critical, but imagine a time in the future when cabins will be restored and the chimneys will be re-built out of plastic that “looks like” stone and brick… I’m sure many will love it… but those with a keen eye will likely comment “what the heck is that?”…”couldn’t they have found someone who could have built it the way it was built?” lol

Originally posted 2015-12-30 13:37:46.

The chimney betrays the era2019-06-29T09:45:37+00:00
29 06, 2019

Good workmanship vs bad

2019-06-29T09:45:09+00:00

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I’ve seen this many times before.

Here we have a gorgeous antique cabin.

Don’t we all just love that massive stone chimney?

Aren’t we all impressed with the visual impact that such a prominent feature adds to this home?

Once again, being bold has paid off.

The simple beauty of this cabin draws us in to look closer and it is upon that close inspection that we notice the messy chinking that has been applied between the logs of this vintage structure.

But for some unknown reason, this awful mess is only on one side of the door and on the logs above it. The rest of the cabin looks beautiful. The chinking has been applied correctly to the right side of the front door and around the end of the cabin, all the way to the chimney.

It’s heartbreaking to see that such poor care was given to a major part of this historic cabin. At first it’s somewhat confusing as to why half the cabin would look so bad, and yet the other half appear to have been lovingly cared for.

If I had to guess, based upon years of experience, I would say that this cabin’s owners hired someone to chink the cabin and that after a day of him working on the home he was “removed”, and then later someone who knew what they were doing… someone with skill… someone who worked with care…  was brought in to finish up the rest of work.

Were there any lessons learned here by the owners? Probably… you know, the ones we all know so well, but sometimes fail to remember or to practice…

“Never hire the lowest bidder.”

“Hire the best, leave the rest.”

“You get what you pay for.”

“Good work is rarely appreciated, but bad work is always seen.”

“It’s cheaper to do it right the first time, than it is to do it twice.”

 

 

Originally posted 2015-12-14 13:48:40.

Good workmanship vs bad2019-06-29T09:45:09+00:00
29 06, 2019

How not to repair a leaning chimney

2019-06-29T09:45:03+00:00

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Here we have an old cabin with wide hewn logs.
Unfortunately, the chimney appears to be “on the move” (likely do to a combination of an improperly built footer under the chimney and poor drainage around the cabin).
There is a sign near the front door that states that this cabin is the property of the US government which I suppose explains the useless attempt to hold the chimney in place by nailing a few 2×4’s around it.
This chimney could quite possibly be lifted back into place and properly stabilized by professionals.

Originally posted 2015-12-12 14:42:10.

How not to repair a leaning chimney2019-06-29T09:45:03+00:00
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