On 5 August 2008, I wrote about the termites we found in our 1930 home in San Jose, CA. We had the termites killed last summer but the insects had done major damage to one end of our garage. (Well, it used to be a garage but has long been home to John’s HO-scale model train layout and workshop.) Termites prefer to infest where the morning sun first shines: the worst damage was on the eastern face of the garage, next to the river wall.
In between looking for work, my husband, John Plocher, has been ripping out the damaged areas and rebuilding the two walls and roof. In addition to being a experienced Software Architect and Engineer, John is a capable electrician and carpenter (as well as being an apprentice welder).
Most of the demolition happened last autumn but work stopped when it started to rain. The construction area was covered by a huge blue tarp all winter. Now that the year’s rain is mostly done, repair construction is progressing well. We are taking design inspiration from many sources (including the old Stanford barn in creating a roof cupola for air and light, instead of a simple skylight).
Here are some photos of the project so far:
| termites hollowed out a wood beam
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ripping out damage
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Paul & John save eagle doorknocker
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| more termite damage
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new wall under blue tarp
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new roof frame
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| Stanford barn cupolas
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John’s cupola plans
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looking through cupola-to-be
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Images Copyright 2008-2009 Katy Dickinson
