Repair Notes From The Field: June 2007

Welcome to my new venture! This blog is about people who have worked on interesting projects and used innovative solutions to solve the daily problems of building maintenance, repair, and restoration. Specifically, we will address wood repair and restoration, window restoration, porch and exterior element inspection and repair. We will also look at paint and paint preparation issues.

This blog will fill with practical how-to tips and comments on contracting, working on older homes and tid-bits picked up from numerous architects, contractors and building owners I have had the pleasure to work with over the past 30 odd years. It will be my pleasure to introduce to you some of the smartest and most taIented professionals I have known. They have been my best teachers. We will also include some behind the scenes shots of interesting projects and tips on how to take photographs of projects and buildings.

Why do this? Well, I have found many conflicting opinions on surface prep, epoxy wood repair, window repair vs replacement. Even the term "restoration" has many definitions and continues to confuse and befuddle the American public. So I'm here to lend my experience and shead my perspective on these things.

I welcome your comments and suggestions on this blog....

I'll begin with a short (not) backround info:

My name is John Stahl, Technical Director for Advanced Repair Technology, Inc.,

Cherry Valley, New York http://www.advancedrepair.com/

I have been involved in maintenance and repair issues on buildings from Stanford University's Historic Main Quad to the buildings maintained by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to humble single family private homes.

My love for old buildings began back in my home town of Davenport, Iowa. My father owned a beautiful 4 story Victorian brick apartment building listed on the Iowa State Historic Register called the Edith Pullman House. I still remember the smells and creaks of this well built and well maintained property.

In college I had a part time job working for an owner of another historic register property. This time on the Utah State Historic Register. This property was in an area called the Avenues just west of The University of Utah in Salt Lake City where I was working on a BFA. The property is called The De Beers Mansion. Built by Dr. De Beers, a prominent physician of his day and a doctor for The LDS Church leader Brigham Young.

I moved New York City in 1982 to seek fame and fortune in the performing arts. I began a contracting company to support my daily habit of auditions, voice and dance classes. Needless to say fame and fortune still eludes me to this day! I still enjoy dancing around job sites :)

I have invented a few useful products and methods for working on older buildings and hold a US Patent for a unique weather-stripping system. I have held workshops and presented papers on wood and wood window repair and restoration ( and continue to do so ).

In 1992 I traveled to Holland to investigate methods and materials for wood repair using epoxy technology. This opened my eyes to a new way of doing things and gave me a healthy respect for the Dutch and their obsession with maintenance.

Back in the States, Stahl Restorations began working with the New York Landmarks Conservancy on numerous projects in the 5 boroughs. This lead SR to focus more on window repair and preservation.

In 1995 I put Stahl Restorations on hold while I served as the US Director for a Dutch Company that produced methods and materials for window and wood repair using epoxy based technology.

Also in 1995 I began a long and inspiring relationship with the folks at This Old House the PBS television show. Since then I have had the pleasure to be on the show several times and have assisted in numerous articles for This Old House Magazine.

In 1996 the Dutch and I parted ways. I contacted a brillant chemist specializing in epoxy and silicone technology and began Advanced Repair Technology. It took most of 1996 to perfect our flexible epoxy wood repair system.

In January 2002 I was awarded US Patent #6,341,449 for a unique weather-stripping system designed to weatherstrip double hung windows. We call this system Easy-Stop.

Taking the window repair solution a little further in 2003 my chemist friend ( now retired ) helped again to develop Glaze-Ease 601 an acrylic based glazing putty.

Besides helping others repair and restore, my wife and I have owned and renovated 3 historic properties. 1 in New Jersey and 2 in New York.

Today, much of my time is spent on the telephone and traveling to projects and trade shows introducing ART and helping building owners, architects, contractors and DIY's. And now blogging!

I also publish a monthly email newsletter called The Repair Report. Readers are welcome to subscribe to this newsletter by going to http://www.advancedrepair.com/ and entering your email address on the bottom of the home page: "Join Our Mailing List"

So that's it.

Oh, I forgot. Here's a few pictures...