The history

Coating the Roof

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:56:08 -0400

Applied roof coating to seal any small holes in roof.

Painting the House

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:56:48 -0500

Patching the Roof

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:55:34 -0500

It has been over 20 years since the McKay House roof received a coating. Preservation NC replaced a few roof panels to stop some of the leaks. The valleys were in serious trouble as they leaked through to the first floor. The breezeway roof proved to be a great funnel in heavy rains.

Unfortunately the years of neglect in the valleys provided us with rust and rot. We needed to cut out the valleys, shore up the joists and replace the metal. On smaller holes and flashing we used an elastomeric patch. After a good scrubbing we applied a coating of Calbar Shower-Proof roof coating in the original color of "Tinners Red".

Utility Chimneys Repurposed

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 16:54:35 -0500

Two utility chimneys that serviced the kitchen and dining room needed to be repurposed. The mortar was crumbling and needed to be rebuilt. Since these were small utility chimneys we removed them below the roof line for now.

Our next project is to patch and paint the roof. We used galvanized steel panels to cover the holes and sealed. Apparently we did OK since we had 2 inches of rain the past couple days without a leak. Unfortunately...we have 4 other major leaks to patch (chimney flashings, breezeway valley, front valley, back wall flashing). Heavy rains have a way of revealing opportunities.

Christmas 2008

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:53:53 -0500

The McKay House Restoration's first Christmas was a special one, celebrated by friends and family in Dunn, NC. The house was decorated in traditional green wreath and red ribbon for the holiday.

Speaking of Christmas colors, why are they traditionally green and red? Some say that the colors represent Christ's life and sacrifice, which we are reminded of on Christmas. Others - that it represents the green leaves and red berries on holly, one of the few plants that blooms in the middle of Winter.

Below find more trivia of the season:

Which president was the first to decorate the white house Christmas tree in the United States?
A: Franklin Pierce

The word Christmas is Old English, a contraction for _________.
A: Christ's Mass

What was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion?
A: Coca Cola

In what year were electric lights for trees were first used?
A: 1895

Which movie appears on TV more often than any other holiday movie?
A: "It's a Wonderful Life"

In Mexico, what tradition is said to bring new love in the upcoming year?
A: Wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve

Hope you had a wonderful and blessed holiday!