Senior couple living in rural area east of Sherman badly need help with porch replacement, wheelchair ramp, siding repairs, and some miscellaneous repairs inside the home.  Very large project.  Their son (home from Army service) will be helping.   His wife was just deployed to Afghanistan (also in Army).  His mother must use wheelchair most of the time (disabled).  The adopting church (or PCW) will need to cover the cost of materials as they are financially unable at this time.  Talk to supply companies about donations, such as vinyl siding, plumbing and counters.

This project may best be handled by multiple churches.  The porch and ramp are first priority.  The propane system also needs addressing very soon.

Repairs needed (listed in priority):

• ·         Front porch replacement (20’ x 6’):
• o   Roof appears to be in good condition
• o   Support porch roof with temporary columns
• o   Remove all porch boards
• o   Repair floor joists
• o   Install new porch flooring and posts
• o   Frame out around posts (for appearance)
• o   Paint entire porch with primer
• o   Paint at least the columns and flooring with porch paint
• ·         Wheelchair ramp:
• o   Determine best place to attach to porch, and how to angle to driveway (on left side of house)
• o   Will need to be two parts … ramp down from porch to level deck … ramp down from there to driveway
• o   Build according to State safety specs with proper angle, toe boards, handrails
• o   Use treated wood
• o   Prime and paint when completed … match same color as porch
• o   Pour small concrete pad at bottom of ramp, to provide clean area
• ·         House siding:
• o   Several areas where holes need to be repaired with wood that matches as closely as possible
• o   Best approach will be to install vinyl siding over entire home, after minor repairs to holes
• o   Overall the outside of the house is in good condition, but wood is weathered to the point where paint will likely not stay
• o   Contact vinyl siding installers to look for donations or discounts
• o   Discuss with family (and son) the various options and the best plan forward
• ·         Home is not propane-safe … currently using electric space heaters and electric fryers for cooking:
• o   Plumbed for natural gas, not propane
• o   Propane company “red-tagged” the tank, and will not refill until issues are resolved
• o   Kitchen stove and possibly the water heater need to be modified
• o   Replace den heating floor stove with propane-safe stove, if available
• o   Replace all old-style gas shutoff valves with new code-approved ball-style valves (4 each)
• o   Check for any leaks in gas lines and repair as needed
• o   Get licensed plumber or plumbing supply company involved
• ·         Kitchen sink and counter in poor condition and hard to access from wheelchair:
• o   Consider removing section of counter (with sink) and replacing with new section
• o   Maybe have designed so that wheelchair can get closer access?
• o   Replace sink and faucet fixtures … poor condition
• ·         Bathtub is hard to access for someone that cannot get around well:
• o   Add more handrails
• o   Install flexible shower head (on hose)
• o   Consider other ways for mother to be better able to get into tub