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Then the fall storm of 1997 came and went, leaving me with Hobbit House's rolled roof sheared off by the rain - 12 inches of rain per hour for about 20 minutes! Faced with a leaking roof, the first investigation revealed that not only was the roofing failed, but the framing supporting it was toast (built in 1944!) I had to replace the entire roof structure or it would never make it through another winter of snow load. So I solicited the help of the community residents in a renovation. The proposition - instead of moving out and rebuilding with a new (and identical shed roof the a roll roof covering) that would simply fail again in the same way come the next storm, why not build a proper sloped and shingled roof over top of the old one and include an extension for a new kitchen and bedroom loft! Fortunately an electrician showed up to take on my work, and I was off to the races... Because the garden was already established, and freedom to move about was not an option, all the walls were completely pre-built on new floor and old roof - all framing and windows, paint, paper etc. except the final stucco. Each was built on top of the other, and stood up one by one and assembled with a few (well, actually many!) screws. So, Hobbit House began it's evolution from a 12' by 14' shed roof cinder block cabin into a cool 640 square foot two story home, complete with a bedroom loft, kitchen, sunroom, and indoor solar heated bath/shower/sauna...
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