What did the World do Before Silicon Sealant ?

Much to our surprise our three sets of double doors, and the people to fit them, all came together at 09:00 on Saturday morning. As members of the construction industry all seem to these days, they came armed with numerous tubes of silicon sealant. During the preceding week, the completion of the conservatory roof involved more tubes of silicon sealant. How did we survive without it ? Cement and putty is my guess !

Anyway, the double doors units were all fitted without major problems, though it took a little longer than expected, necessitating a return trip this morning to finish the job.

This picture also shows the new roof to the conservatory. I have to say, in the picture it looks a little strange - very obviously an addition to what was already there. However, I can't say you notice this "in the flesh".

The window fitters also did a cleanup job on the leadwork to some of the windows. Where they had got wet, some of the lead-lights had developed a garish white powdery surface which in some instances had then runoff down the glass. Apparently this is quite common with the "modern" lead (it never used to happen). I guess it is some form of lead oxide. Anyway, the accepted method of cleaning it up is to use fire-black (zeebrite) with a brush. After doing this a couple of times, the lead should stabilise and not suffer further. it remains to be seen whether this is what comes to pass.

The last thing to report form this weekend is the return of the bat. It was flying again yesterday evening, in our big bedroom. We left the window open and thought it had left, but it was flying again tonight, though we could not find it's roost during the day. Again we left the window open, and again it seems to have gone. Time will tell if it's departure is real and permanent.