Much of Bristol’s primary terraced housing stock is of the Victorian era, a time when spirit levels were not in common use! At least that could be a conclusion you might draw if you’ve ever had the joyous chance to work on a Victorian terrace restoration.
Some of the houses I have seen are quite amazing. It’s like being in wibbly wobbly world! The roof runs one way out of level, the floor runs the other way. If you’re trying to do jobs like fitting architraves, some of the angles you have to deal with can give you proper brain hurt!
One of the main problems with these houses is the absense of any substantial foundation. They were usually slapped up as fast as possible to give the newly arriving workers warmth and dry shelter. It’s amazing they have been with us this long really.
During the initial twenty years of their lives many of the homes have settled and as such many internal walls have become distorted. This frequently gives rise to a wedge shaped room and all the joyous angles that entails.
If you have ever had the thankless task of installing kitchen worktops in Bristol homes you will know these angles only to well. You’d be advised to brush up on your advanced wood butchery skills before attempting this kind of task.
Once you’ve completed a few it does get easier and you could just become a dab hand and scribing those worktops into those bendy walls. In fact getting it right can even be very satisfying. Good luck in your mission!
Tags: substantial foundation, kitchen worktops, Terraced house, victorian era, victorian terrace, wobbly worldFiled under: Every Day Life
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