CONDITIONS ASSESSMENT: How to analyze, evaluate and prioritize the condition problems in an historic structure.
EXTERIOR WOOD RESTORATION: The architectural character of a building is often defined by decorative features such as siding and trim. It also provides the practical function of protecting the interior structure from weather and deterioration. John Leeke will discuss how to to stabilize and save deteriorated exterior woodwork, including porch elements, and will also demonstrate how good design, proper materials selection and effective installation and rehabilitation methods will reduce maintenance, and extend the life of your exterior woodwork.
PREPPING AND PAINTING YOUR HISTORICAL HOME: Because one of the main causes of wood deterioration is moisture penetration, a primary purpose for painting wood is to exclude such moisture, thereby slowing deterioration not only of a building's exterior siding and decorative features but, ultimately, its underlying structural members. Another important purpose for painting wood is, of course, to define and accent architectural features and to improve appearance. Burk Brinton of Brinton's Paints will discuss the essential steps in prepping and painting older homes, and also showcase how employing period colors on an older home can bring back to life the lost features and provides fresh curb appeal.
ELECTRICAL WIRING IN OLDER HOMES: An overview of older wiring practices and how they relate to code. John Griffin, President of United Electric and an electrician with four decades of experience, will discuss when to leave your antique wiring alone, and when it needs to go.
GETTING FLOORED: Step—by-step guidance on methods for restoring wood floors.
WOOD WINDOW REPAIR WORKSHOP (Sunday, 4 hours): Why do so many good old windows end up in the dumpster? Because the building construction industry can make more money selling us cheap plastic imitations. The field of historic preservation provides us with the alternative: knowledgeable tradespeople who know how to maintain and repair windows. Tradespeople and advanced do-it-yourselfers will use and learn the specific methods and procedures that have been proven effective over the past three decades. They will work with traditional materials like linseed oil putty and old-growth pine, as well as the newest methods such as wood-epoxy repairs and portable steam deglazing. Your instructor, John Leeke, has been working on older buildings and their windows for four decades and has been training window workers for more than ten years.
Content: This workshop is not everything about windows. The demonstrations and training will focus specifically on the few most common and needed maintenance methods, repair procedures and treatment strategies. Specific methods are likely to include
A. Paint and putty maintenance;
B. Repair exterior wood sill weather checks;
C. Sash joint repairs;
Actual methods used will be based in part on the needs of the trainees.
Format: This workshop is organized as a “master class” with "hands-on" trainees and observers. 5 trainees will work, hands-on, with the special tools and materials with direct training from the instructor. Another 20 observers will be accepted who can watch the training, take notes and photos, and participate in question & answer sessions.
Trainees: Trainees are pre-selected from those who register as observers. Register and contact John by Sept.1st to assure you are consideration as a trainee. (johnleeke@historichomeworks.com, John Leeke, 26 Higgins St., Portland, ME 04103) John will select and notify the trainees by Sept. 15th.
Follow Up and Continuing Support: John Leeke will provide ongoing support for all workshop participants for a period of three months after the workshop. This will be provided online over the internet with a pro-active discussion forum that includes text and digital photos, and a monthly online live video conference. (see examples at www.HistoricHomeWorks.com).