Ep 4. Jamestown: a Charleston family is reborn

In this episode of This Old House, the team travels to Charleston, South Carolina to restore a historic home in the Jamestown area of the city. The house, built in the early 1900s, has been in the same family for generations but has fallen into disrepair over the years.

The homeowners, a young couple with two children, have a deep connection to the house and want to restore it to its former glory. They have enlisted the help of This Old House to bring their vision to life.

The team starts by assessing the damage to the exterior of the house. They discover that the foundation is sagging and the roof is in need of significant repairs. They also notice that the windows are not original to the house and are not in keeping with the architectural style.

The first task is to shore up the foundation and level the house. This involves excavating around the perimeter of the house and installing steel beams to support the structure. The team then brings in a crane to lift the house and level it using hydraulic jacks. This is a delicate operation that requires a lot of precision, but the team is able to get the house back on level ground.

Next, the team tackles the roof. They remove the old shingles and replace them with new ones. They also repair any damage to the wood underlayment and install new gutters and downspouts.

With the exterior repairs complete, the team moves inside the house. They start by removing any damaged plaster and drywall and repairing the underlying structure. They also replace any damaged electrical and plumbing systems.

The homeowners want to preserve as much of the original character of the house as possible, so the team focuses on restoring the original woodwork and trim. They strip away layers of paint to reveal the original wood and use a combination of sanding and refinishing to bring it back to life.

One of the biggest challenges in the restoration is the original staircase. It has been severely damaged over the years and is in danger of collapsing. The team carefully removes the staircase and takes it to a nearby workshop where they painstakingly recreate each piece by hand. They then reinstall the staircase, restoring it to its original grandeur.

Another major focus of the restoration is the kitchen. The homeowners want a modern, functional kitchen that still retains the character of the house. The team works with a local cabinetmaker to design and build custom cabinets that complement the original woodwork in the house. They also install new appliances and a new island to create a more functional space.

Throughout the restoration process, the team faces unexpected challenges and setbacks, but they are able to overcome them and bring the house back to life. The homeowners are thrilled with the results and are excited to start their new chapter in this historic home.

This episode of This Old House is a masterclass in historic restoration, showcasing the skill and dedication required to bring a historic home back to life. Whether you're a homeowner looking to restore an older home or simply a fan of historic architecture, this episode is sure to captivate and inspire.