Restorations Project: Chandler Hall of William and Mary College Campus

Our most recent project that we are so proud of is the historical renovation of Chandler Hall on the William and Mary College Campus.  This was a huge undertaking.  The three story residential hall is named after William and Mary’s 19th president and houses 149 students.  It was originally built in 1931 and it was our job to recreate the original columns and install 160 historic replacement windows, complete with weighed sashes!  This was a large project that we were happy to do, and do it right!  It was our obligation to give such a grand historical project authentic and beautiful results, and I believe we succeeded.

Spring Cleaning Checklist

     

It's that time of year again, folks!  Time to get some chores done.  Keeping up with house maintenance is ever so important during seasonal traditions because with each season brings different potential problems.  Like they always say, an ounce of preventions is worth a pound of cure.

  

     One of the major things to check for in the spring is water damage.  The wintertime is when the water table rises.  The snow and rain is stored in the earth and isn’t being evaporated as quickly into the atmosphere as it does during the spring and summer.  So investigate your house from the bottom, up.  Check for moisture under the house, any condensation in your crawl spaces can mean things like ill-fitting access doors.  Moisture in your crawl space can cause damage to floor joists, it can seep into your insulation and breed an environment for all sorts of things you don’t want in your home like mold, and bugs.

     Next check your basement for moisture.  If you see water seeping through your concrete block walls, deterioration of your carpets or floors, condensation on joists, blistering or peeling of wall coverings or if the air in your basement is humid, you need to start searching for a remedy.  Begin by airing out your basement.  You need to find the source of the problem.  It could be groundwater seeping into a settling foundation, a ventilation problem, or even inadequate grading from the foundation outward.  There’s a laundry list of problems and solutions to keep moisture out of your basement.  If you haven’t finished your basement but are thinking about it, its a good idea to address any potential water problems before starting the project.

     Next you want to make sure your air and rainwater are flowing efficiently through your house.  Check the gutters to clear any blockages.  Now is a good time to open all the vents in your house to air them out before it gets too hot.  Make sure there isn’t any condensation in your vents, either.  Check your attic rafters for condensation as well, any changes in color can also be a sign of damage.

  

     Last but not least, checking your windows for any air leaks can save you money on your energy bills.  Move a lighter around your windows, if the flame flickers, you have a leak.

     Just taking a quick look around your house, you’ll be able to tell what kind of shape it's in.  If you do find water damage, don’t fret, there are plenty of inexpensive solutions to try first, such as DIY sealants from your home center.  The key is to find it before any major damage is done, so you won’t have to shell out the big bucks for major repairs.