The weather has taken a turn this week. A cold front moved in, but not so much moved in as blew into the region with dizzying speed and fury. The winds were wild for an afternoon, and then the snow came. The first large accumulation of the year; several inches, and drifts of eight to ten inches in varying places. Temperatures dropped, fires were lit, and the seasonal shift was noted.
My wall repairs were not sufficient, it would seem. The patched wall, now settled, sealed and all trim replaced, is still not up to structural integrity even with the new log beam, which may or may not be the solution. Long story short, another bay window cracked in the overnight. The largest and heaviest of the three split into three sections.
In the interim, another patch that was in progress was sped up today. Large steel plates had been ordered, drilled, painted and prepped. Each plate can tie four D-logs together, thus stiffening the wall, or so is the intent. Lag screws arrived last night and were picked up this morning. Merely lamenting my window woes via text this morning and a ranch neighbor, and real friend, dropped his day to come help me. We had the plates installed a little after noon.
There is a far sturdier, stiffer and more stable wall today. I have to shave the window trim around the braces, but as a balanced pair, they look fine, and have added much stability to the window wall. Alas, a day or two late to save a window, but winter is fast approaching. If not addressed now, when?