Carla had a problem; (8) individual problems, actually. She’d received my name from a mutual friend whom she’d asked if he knew anyone that worked in metal–someone who could resolve her exterior post problem? The friend replied yes, he knew a guy.
Her home’s front porch, back porch and back balcony support-posts were very much showing the impact of Houston’s weather at their bases–where the wood posts contacted the concrete and below. Most had considerable rot at ground level while a few had completely rotted away and we’re being supported by temporary fixes. It was unsightly to say the least and not altogether functional on the whole but of greatest concern and cause for immediacy was: Carla had a bit of a liability on her hands. If she had guests over and too many of those guests walked out onto her balcony, it might end in disaster.
Carla was thinking to replace the posts, but with metal instead of wood. I noted that we could do that, as well as a few other options, but that each “normal” solution presented problems of their own–be them unsightly; structurally less sound, or simply prone to rust rather than rot. She asked if I thought I might have a different solution.
I said, “Yes, I think I do.”
From there, the project unfolded…
More to come.
Insight. Awareness. Understanding. darren etlinger 