Tuesday, 19 March 2024

DIY


There's a short flight of communal steps up to our row of four bijou town-houses, on either side of which are some metal rails. I've been threatening to tidy them up a bit over the past few years. I could wait no longer, they looked awful.

They were rusty, and really in need of a lick of paint, so I 'WhatsApp'ed' my neighbours and asked if they'd mind if I had a go at them. I don't know if you can see from my photo, but they really looked tired. Anyway, they were quite happy for me to do it.


So, yesterday morning I was out in the sunshine with my wire brush, a serious 'scraper', some heavy grade sandpaper, some special black metal paint, and the job was done in no time.

It may not be perfect, but it does look a lot better than before.


I hope everyone's happy with what I've done; I know I am. 

Next job; remove all those weeds. Lady M is out there already, trowel in hand!

 

41 comments:

Woody in Ohio said...

Good job. It's amazing how such a simple thing as a prepping and painting a handrail adds value to the neighborhood. I bet you felt like you accomplished something worth your while having done it. Bravo!

Meanqueen said...

I am smiling. You beat me with the weeds comment. Now all you have to do is find a brand spanking new Private sign, and the job is done.

Coppa's girl said...

Well done Cro, thanks to your efforts it looks brand new! I don't suppose there is any way you can clean the brick wall too? It looks so battered. I hope that your neighbours are suitably impressed and appreciative of the fine work you and Lady M have done on their behalf.

gz said...

Very smart. Well done both

Frances said...

When you have jet washed the wall and the steps it will be perfect!

Cro Magnon said...

Yes, I really did, especially as I've been meaning to do it for years!

Cro Magnon said...

I agree, that really should be replaced.

Cro Magnon said...

I don't dislike 'decay', what I don't like are the weeds.

Cro Magnon said...

It certainly looks better.

Cro Magnon said...

I shall do some more weeding (and poisoning), and sweep a bit; but that's all.

Poppy Q said...

What about pressure washing the bricks - that may make it look better.

Poppy Q said...

What about pressure washing the bricks - that may make it look better.

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Well done that man! The "PRIVATE" sign looks tired and faded. You could replace it with a new one. Mind you, I expect the screws are rusted and could be awkward to take out.

Yorkshire Pudding said...

https://www.jetwashsussex.co.uk/areas/brighton/

Eleanor said...

It's always good to improve your enviroment. Did you see the report of the delivery driver repainting road signs on his route when they were almost unreadable? What a difference they made. Well done Cro!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Agree private sign could now be updated - then add a pot of summer bedding and a whole new vista emerges. I do love 'community spirit and it does tend to be catching so who knows what might happen? Well done that man.

Yorkshire Pudding said...

The residents could each pay a quarter and get a jet washing company to come along and do it.

Cro Magnon said...

I don't think anyone is worried about a bit of decay, in fact we rather like it.

Cro Magnon said...

I'll see if I can get one exactly the same size.

Cro Magnon said...

No I didn't see that, but well done him!

Cro Magnon said...

Yes, it does need replacing. I shall visit the hardware store.

Sue in Suffolk said...

As I've been saying forever " If you want something done - do it yourself!"

Travel said...

Looks so much better.

Susan said...

Nicely done. A bit of black paint really improved the railing. A new "private" sign will be good. Personally, I'd want to wire brush the brick wall. The white (mold) needs to come off.

Cro Magnon said...

Absolutely. Our Gardeners should see to the weeds, but even that we have to do ourselves.

Cro Magnon said...

And it only took about 20 mins.

Cro Magnon said...

The wall really doesn't worry me, I'm more concerned about the weeds.

Tigger's Mum said...

I think you are right about the wall - a patina of age is not necessarily a disagreeable thing, but prevention of avoidable disintegration by simple maintenance is definitely a measure of 'community glue'. Nicer place to live when people in it care.

Cro Magnon said...

All our gardening etc is paid for communally, but some things are up to us to deal with; this was one.

local alien said...

Nice job. Everyone must be very happy on seeing the result

Sue said...

That looks so much better, and is so much safer too. Imagine if someone had slipped on the steps and had to really grab the flaking rusty rail as it was before, their hands would be full of rusty 'splinters'.

Melinda from Ontario said...

Excellent job. The old railing looked painful to grasp with all its rusting bits.

Gemma's person said...

I hope the wet paint sign helped someone out.

Joanne Noragon said...

I hope you can inspire more neighbors to pitch in for the good of the community.

River said...

It really does look so much better and the icing on the cake will be no weeds once Mrs Cro is finished.

River said...

I read all the other comments and had another look at the bricks. They need cleaning.

Cro Magnon said...

I hope so.

Cro Magnon said...

Yes, it wasn't something you really wanted to hang-on to. It's all smooth now.

Cro Magnon said...

Exactly, it was horrible.

Cro Magnon said...

It reminded ME!

Cro Magnon said...

She did a grand job.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...