Old House

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AKA: ~

Location: Omar Light - Frankford, Delaware

Additional Information: Oddly, I believe that for many of us, old houses bring to mind our youths. Even more so than with people, old houses opened our eyes to the ageing process. People have a spark which can afford even the oldest individual a timeless quality. Old houses on the other hand begin to deteriorate fast if no one cares for them.

Along with teaching our very young eyes about age, old houses taught our very young minds about history. We saw it worn into our neighbors linoleum floors and in chewed through holes in a great uncles baseboard. Being inside an old house was like walking into a fictional history book where reality shared borders with the imagination and where we began to seamlessly fuse them into something called knowledge. 

In our previous post we featured a plaque awarded by the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society to a well kept and obviously much loved beach property. But not all old houses are granted loving recognition. If any one cares that the old house pictured above is passing the signs are not outward.

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Plaque

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AKA: ~

Location: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Additional Information: ~

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The Rock by Thermos

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AKA:  Stainless Steel Beverage Bottle

Additional Information:  Equipped with a twist and pour stopper and a handle which dominates but delivers. The BBoB is not in the business of recommending or reviewing products but I really like this thermos. In fact, this is my second which I bought last night after a brief switch to another brand brought about by convenience and curiosity. 

Relative Link:  Product Detail

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Half Cove Shingle Pattern

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AKA: Fancy Butt Shingle

Location: Lewes, Delaware

Additional Information: ~

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Various Cranes

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AKA: ~

Location: Indian River Inlet Bridge Project

Additional Information: Of the 4 cranes visible here, one is the Terex HC 150 featured in the post Crawler Crane.

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Expansion Slots

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AKA: ~

Additional Information: Around the outside edge of this circular saw blade are three expansion slots. These help to keep the blade from warping in the intense heat that is generated by friction during use.

At the end of each expansion slot is a round stress reliever which keeps the slot, essentially a crack in the blade, from growing.

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Utility Pole

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AKA: Telephone Pole, Power Pole

Location: Selbyville, Delaware

Additional Information:  A Utility Pole is one structural piece within complex systems of electric power, phone service and sometimes cable television and internet delivery.

Within municipalities, utility poles are often installed and serviced by a Board of Public Works. 

Utilities poles are also utilized for the mounting of street lamps and for attaching various local, state and national holiday decorations.

Originally known as Telegraph poles or posts, utility poles first began popping up in the mid 1800's.

Relative Link: Utility Poles

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Crane Basket

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AKA:  Suspended Personnel Platform, Man Basket, Personnel Basket, Crane Cage

Location: Bethany Beach, Delaware

Additional Information: OSHA rules state that all safer possibilities for lifting workers into place must be ruled out before a crane basket is employed. The design of this water tower makes it difficult to approach maintenance or repairs using lifts, ladders or hoists and therefore the use of a crane basket is allowed. 

Some crane baskets are equipped with overhead protection but this is only required when there is a danger of objects falling from above.

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Gravel Driveway

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AKA: Drive

Location:  Rural Delaware

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PVC Balcony

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AKA: ~

Location:  Bethany Beach, Delaware

Additional Information:  This balcony design is well executed in my opinion. It seems geared towards keeping young children safe and overall endurance one block from the beach.

This was the only balcony on the building like this. The units must all be individually owned for each has a somewhat different style. It brought back memories of the apartment buildings in Vilnius, Lithuania, graced with a checkerboard of open and enclosed balconies, all designed to their owner's taste and budget.

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MHIC

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AKA:  Maryland Home Improvement Commission

Additional Information:  In their own words: "The Maryland Home Improvement Commission licenses and regulates home improvement contractors, subcontractors and salespersons."

Relative Link:  Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

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Booking

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AKA: ~

Location: ~

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Theft Insurance

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AKA: ~

Location: ~

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Dodge Sprinter

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AKA: ~

Location: ~

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Wooden Corbels

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AKA: ~

Location:  Milton, Delaware

Additional Information:  Special thanks to Rob at Concord Carpenter Comments for helping me to identify this element.

Relative Link:  Custom Corbels

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Failing Girder

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AKA: ~

Location:  Bethany Beach, Delaware

Additional Information:  A grider, cut over the masonary is cracking along the grain.

The unsupported notch has entirerly compromised the strength of the girder.

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Wooden Bridge

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AKA: ~

Location: Lithuania

Additional Information: In form, method and material vernacular architercture draws from a specific place or region.

Here, a wooden vehicle bridge spans a small stream in the countryside of Lithuania.

Relative Link:  Buildings & Landscapes: Journal of the Vernacular Architecture Forum - Volume 14, Fall 2007

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Your Home's Ideas

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AKA: ~

Additional Information:Your Home's Ideas is a Russian home improvement magazine spotlighting the building materials and sensibilities found in the former Soviet countries.

Relative Link:  идеи вашего дома

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Crawler Crane

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AKA: Terex HC 150

Additional Information: At work on the Indian River Bridge Project in Delaware Seashore State Park.

Relative Link:  Carrying On: Crawler Cranes

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Wooden Retaining Wall

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AKA: ~

Location:  Rehoboth, Delaware

Additional Information:  The wall pictured is made from railroad ties soaked in coal tar creosote.  Although coal tar creosote is an EPA approved wood treatment and remains the most widely used wood preservative in the world it is not recommended for retaining walls. The reason for this is that leaching CTC can be harmful to plants, animals and humans.

It seems logical to me that the large surface area of a wood retaining wall in direct contact with soil would make for a heck of a lot of leaching.

The example wall also looks to have had 4 x4 braces applied to its face to maintain its integrity. Closer inspection shows the brace on the right is bent and splitting from outward force at the fastener.

While all wooden retaining walls will eventually fail, proper drainage can help keep timbers dry and extend a walls life.

Relative Link:  Build a wood retaining wall

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Bight and Early

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AKA: First thing in the morning.

Location: Roxana Delaware

Additional Information: "Get some sleep, we start bright and early in the morning." 

Relative Link: ADOPTED BABY A CHANGELING

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Storm Damage

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AKA: ~

Additional Information:  On November 12th, 2009 the remnants of tropical storm Ida and a Nor'easter converged on the Delaware shoreline causing major flooding, beach erosion and considerable damage to property.  Click the link below to see more photos of this pummeled walkway on the beach at 2nd street in Bethany Beach.

Relative Link: Storm Damage...

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Cordless Work Light

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AKA: Cordless Work Lamp

Location: Bethany Beach, DE

Additional Information: Nearly every major power tool company offers a work lamp in their cordless product line.

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Boardwalk

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AKA: ~

Location: Bethany Beach, Delaware

Additional Information: Boardwalks come in all sizes from residential entrances to incredible structures that are themselves destinations. 

Relative Link: Constructing Wetland Boardwalks and Trails

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Shears

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AKA: ~

Additional Information:  Stamped into the handle of these shears is "IP Hyde" which most likely stands for Isaac Perkins Hyde & Co. of Ohio who were in business from 1875 to 1985.

Relative Link: Facts about Scissors and Shears

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Sag

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AKA: ~

Location: Roxana, Delaware

Additional Information: From the slumping porch to the sunken roof, the combined effects of time, weather and gravity can really be seen here. 

Relative Link: Sagging with age...

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Irwin Marathon Cordless Circular Saw Blade

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AKA: ~

Additional Information: This Irwin Marathon cordless circular saw blade features UC2 carbide teeth that are welded to the body of the blade rather than brazed. Irwin has branded this method of connection WeldTec and they assure a 30% better hold over brazing.  

The UC2 carbide teeth are touted as 70% tougher than standard carbide teeth. UC2 carbide is sub micro grain, meaning the carbide grains used to form the teeth are very, very small. This allows for the grains to be packed together more densely in the finished tooth and for those teeth to have a smaller profile because of it. Also, the denser the carbide teeth, the better they are able to hold an edge.

Using sub micro grain carbide allows this blade to have an ultra thin kerf which in turn translates to more cuts per charge on a cordless saw.

Relative Link: Irwin Marathon with WeldTec

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Bob's Hitachi Circular Saw

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Location:  Ocean View, Delaware

Additional Information: Bob has had this saw for almost as long as I have known him and I believe it belonged to someone else before that. I remember, when I first saw it, thinking it was somewhat exotic compared to the Black and Decker I was using. I have learned a lot from Bob about taking care of tools.

Relative Link: Truth or Confidence (Best one since you)

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Set

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AKA: ~

Location: Ocean View, Delaware

Additional Information:  A handsaw's teeth must be set, i.e., bent slightly in opposite directions, one after another. There is a tool which sets a saw's teeth evenly and to a desired angle.

Relative Link: The How's of Setting Saws

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Wing Nut

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AKA: ~

Additional Information: Two wings attached to a nut allow for relatively easy adjustment on a thread. The thumb, index and middle finger engage the wings and force is applied in the direction of desired tightness. Design is a factor with regards to comfort. The example has large elevated wings that thoughtfully accommodate fingers. 

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Scorpian "500" Series Small Wind Turbine

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AKA: ~

Location: Ocean View, Delaware

Additional Information: ~ 

Relative Link: Lower Wind Speed / Scorpion 500 series - Wind Turbines

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Pedimented Dormer

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AKA: ~

Location:  Lewes, Delaware

Additional Information:  Pedimented dormers can contain many or all the elements of a classical pediment. That is, a gable with raked cornices on either side which is joined by a horizontal cornice. The horizontal here is broken in the middle with a bare tympanum above. Decorative moldings on either side of the pointed arch, double hung window emulate columns.

Relative Link: Pediment

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Sheen

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AKA: ~

Location:  Bethany Beach, Delaware

Additional Information: Sheen is the quality which, I believe, most characterizes vinyl. Uniformity rivals sheen for this honor and together they give vinyl (PVC) building products their very own presence and personality.

Relative Link: Sheen

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Half Round Shingles

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AKA:  Round Shingles

Location: Lewes, Delaware

Additional Information: ~

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Paired Gables

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.AKA: ~

Location: Milton, Delaware

Additional Information:  A house with two identical cross gables is said to have paired gables.

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Valley

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AKA: ~

Location: Bethany Beach, Delaware

Additional Information:  A Valley occurs at an inside corner where 2 roofs meet. Much of the water shed from a roof will end up in its valley's so their proper flashing is imperative.

Relative Link: Roof Valley Flashing Details

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Dishwasher

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AKA: ~

Location:  Roxana, Delaware

Additional Information:  An Energy Star dishwasher uses 4 gallons of water per cycle as compared to up to 6 gallons per cycle for a non Energy Star unit.

Relative Link: The History of the Dishwasher

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Lookout Danger

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AKA: ~

Location:  Lewes, Delaware

Additional Information:  Our photo shows the imminent failure of a barge rafter. The power lines below the precarious piece and the fact that this picture is taken from the sidewalk puts each and every passerby in peril.

Relative Link:  Structural failure

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Phosphate Coated Drywall Nail

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AKA:  1 -3/8 Cupped head, smooth shank, phosphate coated drywall nail

Additional Information: A phosphate coating provides corrosion resistance and some holding capacity. A cupped head nail is easy to countersink and fill.

Relative Link: Phosphate Coating: Zinc, Iron or Manganese Phosphate

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Clay Pantile

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AKA: Pan-Tile

Location: Lewes, Delaware

Additional Information:A clay pantile is an overlapping roofing tile with a cross section shaped like an S. 

Relative Link:  On the older forms of terra cotta roofing tile

Titebond

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AKA: ~

Additional Information: Since the introduction of "ready to use" liquid hide glue in 1935 the Titebond family has grown to include the worlds first aliphatic resin glue (Titebond Original Wood Glue -1955),  a Type II water-resistant glue (Titebond II Premium Wood Glue -1991) and the brands newest addition Titebond III "Ultimate" which lays claim to being waterproof.

Titebond adhesives are made by Franklin International.

Relative Link: Titebond Woodworking Glue Tips

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Shelter

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First Printing: 1973

Edited By: Lloyd Kahn

Additional Information: As a younger person, looking for building possibilities, I could not have found a better source of inspiration than Shelter. This book walks the line between tradition and revolution so effortlessly that I was left wondering whether or not they are one and the same.

As with most written material, the title serves as a mission statement and the meaning of shelter is explored through the eyes of many cultures and individuals. Focus on the latter is what really gives Shelter its staying power and charm.

 Relative Link: Shelter Online

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Xanthoparmelia Cumberlandia

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AKA: Lichen

Location: Roxana, Delaware

Additional Information:  To look at a Lichen is really to look at two things. An algae and a fungi have formed a partnership known as symbiosis wherein the algae makes food (through photosynthesis) and the fungi protects the algae and obtains water and minerals from its surroundings.

Lichen do not need to tap into a continuous water source to survive but they do need an undisturbed surface. This roof of cedar shakes makes a perfect lichen substrate.

The presence of Lichen on a wood shingle roof is both a blessing and curse. The blessing is that air quality in the area must be very good for this dual organism to survive. The curse is that it traps water close to the roof which will hasten shingle failure. 

Relative Link: Lichen

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Clipped Gable

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AKA: Jerkinhead, Shreadhead, Truncated Gable, Hipped Gable, Snub-Nosed Gable, Half-Hip, Barn Hip

Location: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Additional Information: The clipped gable helps to reduce uplift from wind at the peak where the force is greatest.

Keeping with a theme of wind awareness, the shingles on our example home appear to be Hatteras brand.

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BlueBird

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.AKA: ~

Location: Lewes, Delaware

Additional Information: Not these five but the sky behind them.

I found the term "BlueBird" to describe the look and character of a day used by many groups including Duck Hunters and Skiers. I know a BlueBird as a day with a deep blue cloudless sky and temperatures which make one glad to be working outside.

Relative Link: Top 10 Jams: For a Bluebird Day

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Snow Guard

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AKA: ~

Location: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Additional Information: Snow Guards prevent large quantities of snow and ice from sliding off of rooftops and endangering life and property below.  

On slate roofs, Snow Guards also keep snow from creeping to the eave where it could refreeze over the coldest part of the roof and add weight to the vulnerable to edge.

Relative Link: Snow Guards

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Anchor Bolt

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AKA: Foundation Bolt, Hold Down Bolt

Location: Lewes, Delaware

Additional Information: Anchor Bolts securely attach objects to concrete. Our example shows a treated sill affixed to a block foundation.

Relative Link: Report on laboratory testing of anchor bolts connecting wood sill plates to concrete with minimum edge distances

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Griswold "No 3" Mailbox

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AKA: ~

Location: Lewes, Delaware

Additional Information:  The Griswold No 3 cast iron, enamel coated, flip top mailbox was manufactured in the early 20th century by the Griswold Manufacturing Company of Erie, PA.

Relative Link: History of Griswold

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Widow's Walk

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AKA: ~

Location: Dewey Beach, Delaware

Additional Information: The Widows Walk is one part legend and one part architectural element. In the mythos of Americana the Widows Walk is portrayed as primarily a lookout for the families of sailors hoping to catch a glimpse of their loved one's vessel as it returned from sea. Seldom, however, is any aspect of a home so narrowly focused and thus, the railed platforms likely were also utilized as a perch for simpler sightseeing and for maintenance to a buildings uppermost parts. 

Relative Link: Suzanne Vega "Widow's Walk"

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Picket Fence

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AKA: Spade Picket Fence

Location: Lewes, Delaware

Additional Information: Pointed pickets may be an ornamental remnant from when American settlers used pointed logs to form stockades.

Relative Link: Of Fences and Gardens

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