Inspired by the sight of new rendering and with a long weekend to fill it was time to make a start on the washhouse roof. We now call it a washhouse as that’s where the washing machine and boiler will be going along with the outside toilet and hand basin.  The roof I’d had patched up with sheet of hardboard last year was of Asbestos tiles on top of recycled rotten timbers, we think it may have dated from the 1930’s and replaced what is mentioned in the deeds as a conservatory.

Wash house roof stripped and re-timbered

Kitted out with mask and disposable suit I damped down the tiles, stripped them off and bagged them up.  Then I could fully assess the state of timbers, nothing was worth saving so it all got ripped off and replaced with roughly the same size timbers so the roof height wouldn’t change too much.

Rotten timber lintel over the outside toilet door in desperate need of replacement

Whilst all the roof was off and I had some light to work in I also replaced the rotten timber lintel over the toilet door.  This could have been tricky if the stone and brick above had been loose but I had already deep repointed these and they were secure enough to stay in place. Never the less I still worked the old timber out gently and avoided knocking anything about until the new timber was in place. One of my scaffold boards is now three foot shorter after providing the timber but I’m happier now all of the structural rot is sorted. (Hopefully we’ll not find any more)

Cut up scaffold board used as replacement timber lintel

With a breathable membrane on and the first of the slats it’s ready for tiling so then I can finish the plumbing and start thinking about a boiler.

Almost enough for one weekend, but not quite, I also managed to get the outline of the stud wall in the Attic done, to finish as a rainy day job. Followed by a few hours spent taking out the wash house window and the lead lined toilet cistern to take home so I’ve got something else to play with during the week.