After the handyman did what he wanted (painting the house) he ghosted me on blocking in the two large foundation windows (no, he didn't get rest of money). Here is why I wanted the windows removed and blocked up. The first is the window into the basement (the heater room). Although the frame is good, the window obviously has problems (it has been that way since I bought the house).
The garage window frame is rotting out (this is new and from water running off the ramp). One of the window panes is also cracked (not in picture)
Foundation repair places, at least the one's that would come to my town, said they didn't do things like block in basement windows. Really? Isn't that pretty much like replacing foundation blocks that have deteriorated?
The window replacement company (again, the one that would come to my area) said sure, they would replace frames and windows. Took my money then 2 months later said they couldn't do it (returned said money).
So now, this late in the season, I said screw it and got a couple pieces of concrete backer board and temporarily boarded them up.
For the garage window, I first covered the window frame holes with composite pieces I have used for window trim inside the house. Since they aren't wood, they won't rot.
Then the concrete backer board - well, you will just have to imagine that since Typepad is giving me fits trying to add pictures to this post and absolutely refuses to upload the last pic (even after I created several new pictures). Update - once I posted live, as opposed to saving as a draft, I went back and tried and the pic finally uploaded. Not that you can see much thru the railings . . .
Maybe next year I can find a mason in this area who will do the work
Especially now, when everyone seems able to find jobs that they want, "handymen" are pretty picky about what they do. Being human, I guess there are things that are more fun to deal with than others. My problem is in trying to get small, knit-picking jobs done. Maybe it's beneath their dignity?
That rotted frame does look difficult to work with. Knowing you, I'm sure that you know how stable your composite pieces are. Composites don't rot, but some do absorb moisture and deteriorate.
Posted by: Cop Car | September 04, 2022 at 08:56 AM
I failed to mention how much better your fixes look than did the "before" structure.
Posted by: Cop Car | September 04, 2022 at 08:58 AM
If the handyman had told me he only wanted to do the painting - fine, I wouldn't have wasted 2 months thinking I had the window issue covered and would have continued the search (and then another 2 months wasted on the window replacement company - and that doesn't count the time of searching for anyone to come out anyway).
Sorry, the trim is PVC, not composite. Being covered with the cement backer board, not much moisture should make it's way there anyway (not impossible, just less likely. If I'm lucky, it will only be there until next spring/summer.
Posted by: bogie | September 05, 2022 at 04:51 AM
Oh, and I've told each of the companies that they can cut off the railing for access to that window since I need to replace the ramp anyway in the not-to-distant future and it isn't the outside railing.
Posted by: bogie | September 05, 2022 at 05:04 AM
It is frustrating dealing with people who are unwilling to let us know their "conditions". Cecil did fine work - on the projects that he undertook - but there are still a bunch of things on the to-do list that he didn't want to do. Well...to be fair...there were several months during which I would only let him do outside jobs (COVID) so I can't blame him for the inside jobs, I guess. He last communicated about a year ago - letting me know that he was booked up for the rest of 2021.
Ah! PVC. I guess that is OK in moist conditions since some fresh water and sewer piping is PVC these days.
Posted by: Cop Car | September 05, 2022 at 09:25 AM