We already knew that Barry Chislett-Bruce of New Forest Chimney Sweeping & Repairs is a first class, painstaking, craftsman. In the link above Barry and his son, Owen, are shown sweeping the chimney behind the fireplace they installed for us.
The Velux kitchen window has leaked ever since we moved in five and a half years ago. Three other tradesmen have failed to fix the problem. Had I known that this was an issue with which Barry was familiar and experienced I would have asked him first. Today he began working on the job in bright sunshine and continued as the skies darkened in preparation for more heavy rains.
I photographed the man at work today. Rain or shine he will return tomorrow to complete the task.
After his return home our friend sent me bird’s eye view images of his work. Having removed studs that no-one else had ever looked at, he lifted a section of the frame and used a thick fabric to draw out a significant pocket of water. He brought down this swab and wrung it out over the kitchen sink. This was not merely resulting from recent rain.
Other photographs show the careful lead work at various stages, both while the sun still shone, and later, by which time light rain had begun to speckle the glass.
Barry also sent signs that he had probably enjoyed his mugs of tea, although he had had the temerity to opine that Jackie’s brew was better than mine.
This evening we dined on minted lamb burgers; sautéed new potatoes; and vibrantly hued orange carrots. green beans and sprouting broccoli, with which I finished the Cotes du Bourg. Jackie had finished her Hoegaarden beforehand.
Thank goodness there are expert craftsmen to solve these problems!
Indeed. Thanks very much, Barbara.
Looks like the sort of man who takes great pride in his work. Lucky to find such a man!
Indeed and indeed. You may not see in the pics, but he always wears a tie. Thanks very much, Andrew.
Wow, that is a memory nudge. My dad always wore a tie right up until he died, he said he wouldn’t let standards slip. I have been retired for nine years and only wear a tie at weddings and funerals!
I don’t even wear one then. I can’t do my collars up and I can hide behind fashion 🙂
To install the skylight right way is very professional job and person who does it must have special skills and experience. Otherwise the leakage is guaranteed. Lucky you, Derrick, to find the right person.
Thanks a lot, Alexander. He won’t be able to correct the window installation = so we won’t be able to open it, but I am confident he will stop the leak.
As I understand it was the main motive to fix it – to avoid the leakage.
Yes
He seems a master craftsman. How fortunate for you (even if he prefers Jackie’s tea). 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Merril.
Luckily you have found a great craftsman, they are sadly all too few and far between.
That is true, Sheree. Thanks very much.
It is certainly gratifying to see that somewhere one can still find old-fashioned craftsmen who take pride in their work.
Indeed. Thanks very much, Dolly.
Very welcome, Derrick
No pressure Barry! I remember being very impressed with the standards shown on the chimney cleaning procedure – this is a real old-fashioned tradesman and you are very lucky to have him. You must up your game Derrick and make him a really superb cuppa!!
Jackie has told me how to do it, Pauline. Thanks very much.
That’s quite a job. I’d say word of mouth is all the advertising he really needs.
Indeed. Thanks very m much, Oglach.
A reliable and competent workman is a pearl above price. Yiou will have to up your tea brewing skills to keep him happy.
🙂 Many thanks, Tootlepedal.
A tradesman who still wears a tie to work is a very rare being.
Unique in my experience. Thanks very much, Paol
It would be fun to talk with Barry and compare notes. His work with your windows and skylights certainly is akin to the work I’ve done with hatches on boats. As in most work of this sort, good preparation and absolute attention to detail will carry you a good way. You’re lucky to have found him.
Agreed, Linda. Thanks very much.
Can we borrow Barry? How blessed you are to have him as your go-to tradesman, Derrick.
We are indeed, Jill. Many thanks
You have discovered a jewel of a contractor/ craftsman don’t let murphy get a hold of him…lol
🙂 Thanks a lot, msw.
I wouldn’t have the first clue what to do.
Nor me. Thanks for the solidarity, Gary 🙂
What a craftsman! Won’t it be great to have a Velux without a leak? My father was a cabinet maker and continued working until just a few months before he died. He always wore a tie which was a worry at times, especially when he was using powerful machinery!
They know what is right, respectful, and proper, Clare. Many thanks.
I give a lot of credit to anyone who gets on the roof. And if they do work up there, it’s even better.
Quite, Lisa. 🙂 Thanks very much.
He seems to be an honorable and skilled craftsman! I am also glad that that you show appreciation – it seems decent and skilled folks are too often taken for granted. Thank you for sharing!
That’s all very true Takami. Thanks very much.
That is certainly a present day, pictorial perspective on Chimney Sweepers as compared to Charles Lamb’s excellent account of his era.
YAY for Barry! What a wonderful craftsman and worker! You are fortunate to have him in your life!
And I’m sure he is fortunate to have clients/customers like you and Jackie!
Did Nugget try to help Barry? 😉
I would give Barry a hug! If he’d let me! Yes, I hug anyone who will let me!)
HUGS for you and Jackie!
TWEETS for Nugget and Muggle!
PS…your descriptions of your meals always make me smile…and hungry! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. 🙂
There were no worms on the roof 🙂
HA! That made me snort-laugh! 😀
I’m glad there are no worms on the roof! Worms freak me out a bit! 😮
If there were…Nugget would be your Worm Removal Expert! 😉 😛
🙂
Skylight windows do have a tendency to leak, so you were lucky to actually know a craftsman!!
Indeed. Thanks very much, GP
I love the photographs of your very able handyman.
My upstairs balcony doors began leaking a couple of years ago when they were just two years old. The contractor came back a couple of times but now ignores our calls. The heavy autumn rainfall hasn’t helped either.
Thanks very much, Sue. So frustrating for you.
As a Mainer, I appreciate anyone who is handy and can fix things. Wonderful that you have someone like Barry.
Thanks very much, Laurie.
It’s comforting to know you can trust someone to do a good job on your house. Taking the time to capture and share photos of Barry’s conscientious work reinforces positive energy he put into the project.
Indeed. Many thanks, JoAnna.
If Barry likes Jackie’s brew, I can hardly imagine what he’d say if treated to her cooking.
You are right, Susan. 🙂 Thanks very much.
Oops! I should have read this post first. With the type of roof you have, I can see how it would take a high degree of skill to keep a roof window from leaking.
🙂 Thanks very much, Liz.
Good craftsman-repairmen like Barry are hard to find. They are worth their weight in gold.
Absolutely, Lavinia. Thank you very much.