"Mathew, you do have a diamond in the rough. I've spent 31 years on mine and I've still a few miles to travel. A few thoughts. Siding looks like asbestos so be very careful if you take it down. I don't know how (I did mine WRONG about…"
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David Harris
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- Orion, IL
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Repairing wood clapboards
10 Replies
I am attempting to repair the original clapboards on a 1860's Midwest farmhouse and need advice on nail holes.Twenty years ago I removed asbestos siding, scraped the lead paint, caulked the nail…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by David Harris Oct 2, 2009.
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David Harris replied to sam smith's discussion basement???"Well!!!!!!!!!! Could you be a bit more clear?????????????????
My best guess based on your statements:
it has a small basement with a newer cement wall put in with dirt about 4 feet of dirt???
You have a basement 1/2 dug out. Common in the…"
David Harris replied to Vinnie Vinson's discussion Those pesky mice!"Our old farmhouse used to be a mouse haven. Starting in late Sept. I would trap one or two a night through November. I remember 5 one night. Snap. Toss outide. Set. 15 minutes later, Snap.
Now we have very few. I believe these are the reasons:
New…"
David Harris replied to John Rodgers's discussion Old Growth Wood Friendly Stains?"When it comes to refinishing Jeff Jewitt seems to be the best person around. Many books. Since I've been using his techniques the finish on my home made furniture has become almost perfect (old boards turned into antique looking pieces). He has…"
David Harris replied to evan j andriopoulos's discussion 2nd Foundation in cellar?"I am not exactly clear on the design you describe but it was common for early houses to be build without a basement, just a crawl space. Much later someone had the money and inclination to build a basement so it would be dug out by hand, The…"
David Harris replied to David Harris's discussion Repairing wood clapboards"Well, seems like a midwestern winter is going to hit before I finish. I'm looking for some advice. Can I re-prime siding after a year and then put up a topcoat? Argh. So I have some choices, none the best.
I see 2 basic options:
1. Leave the…"
David Harris replied to dan kennedy's discussion Old Chimmney-should I put metal or poured liner into them?"Agreed but we heated totally for 10 years with wood and the stainless looked almost new when we pulled it out and took out the chimney. Creosote just fell off inside in sheets and I took it out of the clean out. That chimney fire was damn scary…"
David Harris replied to Joe Harris's discussion siding"Ward's and a few others have good 1/4 sawn stuff. I thought pine but when I inquired a few months ago they had spruce and, um, hemlock I think. On my projected I decided to buy used siding from a local barn board recycler and to reuse what is…"
David Harris replied to dan kennedy's discussion Old Chimmney-should I put metal or poured liner into them?"Agree with Phil. If you want to be smart have a professional take a look with a camera and make a recommendation on structural integrity. And look yourself. The chimney in our 1860's farm house had 2 flues, we lined one with stainless for a…"
David Harris replied to David Harris's discussion Repairing wood clapboards"Yup, cedar up and stainless down. For a bit I'd considered quarter saw pine, new; cedar was otta my league. A local supplier quoted me 4"stainless ringshank at $188 for 50lbs which is crazy cheap. The gal. Maze are about $220 plus$50…"
Phil replied to David Harris's discussion Repairing wood clapboards"Stainless steel nails are outrageously expensive. I did a major cedar shingle installation 7 years ago, and quickly migrated from stainless to hot dipped, because my nail cost was rivaling my shingle cost (cedar was cheaper then, esp. the white…"
David Harris replied to David Harris's discussion Repairing wood clapboards"Much thanks John. I also called Abatron and their technical people say the same thing.
Also, I appreciate the pre-drilling tip (not that I need one more step but I suppose it is an excuse to buy the 12v cordless drill I'd been looking at). I…"
John Leeke replied to David Harris's discussion Repairing wood clapboards"Just last week I filled some nail holes in clapboards at the bench and then put them back up. The wood-epoxy joint is very strong and not likely to be damaged at all. Keep the new nails at least 4" away from the repaired nail holes, I always…"
David Harris replied to David Harris's discussion Repairing wood clapboards"Another issue has come to mind that John or someone who has used epoxy might be able to enlighten me about. I've removed the clapboards and am working on them using work tables. My plan had been to fill the nail holes on the ground, paint them…"
David Harris replied to David Harris's discussion Repairing wood clapboards"Much thanks John. I've read much of your stuff. Your information is helping save historic places across the country. I'll look at the vid and go this direction. Do you concure with Will that carpenters glue and wood flour will move at a…"
John Leeke replied to David Harris's discussion Repairing wood clapboards"I use epoxy materials to fill nail holes. I've tested half-a-dozen materials and methods over the past 30 years and found that epoxy materials work best with the longest life. I have some of this in place for 40 years and no signs of…"
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- Tell us about yourself:
- I work at a community college.
- Tell us about your old-house experiences and dreams:
- For more than 30 years I've been remodeling an 1860's "plebeian" Italianate farmhouse turned Vernacular Farmhouse in the late 1800's. And my wife has not left me. Yet.
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