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When
this home was last purchased, it was just recovering from
being a neglected dwelling, complete with broken windows.
There were holes in the walls, many of which were found later,
hidden by layers of wallpaper. It was a daunting task to attempt
to restore a home that suffered from so much interior destruction.
The previous owner had made a valiant effort, but fell short
of the requirements necessary for a successful renovation.
The
plumbing and wiring were substandard and had to be replaced.
Heat was provided by a single poorly vented floor furnace,
and the basement often flooded in the winter months. The roof
had been leaking for so long that mold and rot were weakening
the structure. It was imperative that the building be inspected
for reasons of safety.
The
roof and its supports had to be completely rebuilt. New drains
were also added. Walls and ceilings that were cracked were
replastered and papered. The old cast iron gas pipes were
all removed and replaced because of numerous small gas leaks.
An efficient heating and cooling system was installed in the
basement. This equipment was hung from the joists so that
if the sump pump ever failed, it would not be damaged. It
was necessary to use new heavy support beams under the larger
rooms on the first floor to allow for greater loads than the
original builder had anticipated. The kitchen, laundry room
and bathrooms, were furnished with modern fixtures. Since
most of the original molding around the doors, windows and
cabinetry was missing, a lumber specialist was called upon
to recreate this woodwork. The building's exterior had not
been altered, so sanding and painting were the main considerations.
New
stained glass windows were designed and built on site by a
local artisan.
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The
small garden owes its beauty to deep new top soil, excellent
weather and a dedicated landscape gardener. Passers-by often
pause to enjoy the sight and the scent of his fine roses.
The
last major earthquake in 1989 shifted the house north by a half
inch. Close inspection of the foundation revealed that the bolts
through the mud sills to the concrete were not secured at all.
Someone in the past had tried to cover up the fact that the
house was just sitting on the unreinforced foundation and not
tied down. Fortunately, the soil below was clay and rock, which
helped to prevent any major movement. As soon as possible, the
building was solidly rebolted to its foundation and extra bracing
was installed. It is as ready for the next big one as possible.
The
modest two bedroom home was purchased for $35,000 in 1971. Since that time,
property values in San Francisco have soared to stunning heights.
Many of the neighborhood homes are now selling
for $1,000,000 and more. In 1981, this house was designated as a City Landmark, and in 1983,
some of the other nearby properties were placed on the National
Register. These acts help to protect the façades from being
altered or destroyed, thus keeping a small piece of our history
from being lost.
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©
1998-2008 by W. S. Swain
Last
updated: April 26, 2008
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