Renovating a French chateau: Critical basement repairs

[@colleenwilliams1452]

I knew once that concrete mixer came out the chateau re-build was really on its way.

[@staceydavis9195]

I thought the same thing. 😂

[@tombaker6522]

The chateau looks great at night. I cannot wait for the roofline restoration. I suspect even more of a wow factor when that is accomplished.

[@tatyanazhigzhitova8711]

Все подаисчики ждем крышу,это первоочередная задача.Но для этого очень много чего надо...

[@tammycarter7661]

Our as Jack says.. the pointy bit

[@louisegatti9262]

I'm thinking you have enough content here to last 10 years. It's a good thing that what you are doing with the basement walls is something you enjoy doing, pretty sure you will have many walls to enjoy!!!! See ya tomorrow!!

[@Julie-ol7kb]

Loving the renovation Dan! Also the boys yesterday were as cute as a bug in a rug.😂😊

[@jeanrichardson2044]

I live in a country where few buildings are built in stone or are older than 150years old, and I am always in awe at the skill of the masons. That basement is beautiful.

[@teepeeX]

Wouldn't it be wonderful for all Dan's friends to take one day off and come to help him do whatever ... a bit of lunch etc ... great job Dan ❤

[@raffaellavitiello1762]

I think Dan does not want to go fast, he probably want to enjoye the process by himself. If l was him l would.

[@bethanyshepherd6454]

It would be AMAZING if just one day EVERYONE came together to just make a huge difference. I’m kind of surprised to be honest that this hasn’t happened as close as the chateau community seems to be. I mean, I get it they all live busy lives but one day would be an incredible help! :)

[@Chereese0808]

I think he wants to do it alone. Probably just to see if he can. 💪🏼 I believe he can with minimal help.

[@jennifer6833]

I have to admit I’m impressed. I’ve been so concerned about the place landing on you during all of this, you’re definitely making progress like a piece of art that starts out eh, then looks cruddy in the middle stage, by the end it’s a phenomenal masterpiece. That’s how I’m looking at this for you. Just be careful.

[@julieknowles7063]

A good job well done again Dan. The care you take over all your jobs is second to none. Your love for that chateau is so evident. I did think you would put a tarp under the mixer to avoid the overspill from it.

[@wellnone9367]

Dan, I take my hat off to you - the way you can do one bit at a time, building slowly, slowly and steadily with such perseverance. Can't wait to see the chateau standing proud again, and in the meantime, I will enjoy watching you work. Well done!

[@denisemastromina7821]

Yes Dan you are right we are suckers for a bit of rendering and yes it looks really good. Plus it's stabilising those lovely stone walls

[@mollytorra9949]

This is a masterpiece in the making Dan. So mysterious and beautiful at night.

[@patriciarinaldi9390]

I am always so amazed at your diligent work ethic the pointing looks absolutely beautiful. Yes it looks sealed. Well I knew you meant business when your cement mixer arrived. The wheel barrel is definitely more sturdy than the old one👌. I cannot wait to see the wall and you......tomorrow!😊

[@monalingan9523]

This series on the château restoration is so fascinating to me. 😊

[@lindamitman4538]

That pointing to stabilize the wall is so needed. I imagine it will be the first of many walls

[@saraheschweiler4939]

Good to see you again, Dan! Perhaps we will be able to apply some of your basement renovation strategies to our cottage's 1924 basement? Thank you for sharing your Chateau ownership adventure! You, sir, are an inspiration!! 🌿💐🌿😊💚😘🌿💐🌿

[@saraheschweiler4939]

@@buildingwithtrees2258 , gosh, thank you bunches for your kind & thoughtful reply! I will add his channel to my list of resources & to watch & learn from him! Yay! So glad you shared that suggestion...much appreciated! 😀 🙏🌿💐🌿😊💚😘🌿💐🌿🙏

[@giteducalme]

The sponge finish is always good, leaves no brush marks. Good job. After 20 years renovating and living in a stone French farmhouse, I still have a wall to finish!! I need to get my Dan hat on.😂

[@lat1419]

Just caught up with this episode. We live in Wales and have been using lime mortar for many years. Our gable end wall is very old & over 4ft thick, and was totally repointed when we renovated 6 years ago, and lime plastered inside. Your pointing is indeed well done and looking good.

[@richardmarino5658]

You've got my vote. Regards, Rich in the USA.

[@cliffhorman6846]

THE MIXER arrives!! You are a machine Dan! Excellent!

[@thomasherrin6798]

Yes a relatively new mixer, wonder how long until it's covered in cement snots!?!

[@charlotteschuld9155]

Can you update us on how all the approvals and licenses you need to proceed with the repairs and building everything is going?

[@heidihalderman1118]

I love the texture you created with pouncing the stiff bristled brush. It enhances the rustic look of the basement.

[@barblallier9413]

It's quite a job yo get done, in the dark! You are the man, Dan!! Way to go!! 😊

[@moanahughes3593]

Love that effect on the wall, great conservation move 🎉

[@scoliesimpson4773]

I think the fact is that you are enjoying what you are doing impresses everyone. I look forward to every episode .I also loved that you told the boys about the magic tree where the fairies live and the fairy story told by Jack .Just magic .

[@DBurgg]

You are a wonderful caretaker of the old stone walls that were so laboriously built long ago! What a project👍🏻

[@GrannyV29]

Everything you do just makes me imagine more the beautiful building this will be when you finish.

[@aileenhaggarty681]

Wall looks great. Nice to see you look so happy. 🙏🏻👍❤️

[@kerrylynnparsons7879]

That basementis looking more and more stunning just by clearing!!! 😎👏👏👏

[@WildRoseCountryGirl]

I've been watching your last week of work and you are getting a lot done. It surprises me how quickly you clear out rooms and now moving on to the walls. To me it seems fast.

[@oaknwichlanedesigns]

Watching some of the older videos just to see how far you've come. The wall looks very nice. Just think of what you accomplished in 3 months, it really is a lot.

[@juliemix3373]

Dan, it's coming along great. Love too see each day's progress. Cheers

[@reladie]

Dear fans please like, share and subscribe, our Dan needs some proper boots.

[@lisaglynn3121]

Dan, it’s going to look fabulous! Keep up the amazing job!

[@nickfosterxx]

Wow, impressive finish. And nice choice of music again. It's like the entire building is being slowly marinated in your personal love and care, bit by bit.

[@cheryllakin6736]

Maybe a fan circulating air down there will help with the drying process

[@ursulatevis5146]

It's coming along, little by little! Thank you!

[@marshastopa]

Great progress! Love the camera angles and nighttime shots. Impressive.

[@rosemariedeschenes7013]

Great job Dan. The chateau looks so beautiful all lit up. See ya tomorrow 😍😘

[@pinkelephants1421]

Must be so lovely to finally be able to use the concrete mixer [without] loads of smelly fumes and noise. YAY for renewable energy sources! And no expensive fuel to buy for the generator either. 😊

[@carolmorris5753]

Dan - you’ve definitely got the energy and drive to complete this chateau. I’m happy just to watch you do it, ‘cause I was exhausted just looking at the pointing to be done….

[@Ldyrev1]

So glad to see you pointing the basement walls. I've feared for your life when you started cleaning trees out of the chateau that the walls would come in on you.

[@milkweeddreams8828]

I felt the same way about the reappearance of the mixer, gittin' jiggy with it now...I always loved it when Grandad brought over the mixer, it meant shyte was gonna get real...tomorrow it is then...!

[@Pete-nl8ok]

Little by little, bit by bit, progress! Nice job Dan!

[@rebekahvenn201]

Wowzers those walls look fabulous and your pointing just brings them alive. That chateau is going to be a complete work of art. Can't wait for your next vlog. Take care.

[@davidheaslip3714]

Nice one Dan. A nice coat of white wash in the summer and you won't need light atall.... centre quoin stone is a great idea

[@patriciathompson350]

It's looking good Dan. Love how the chateau is lit too.

[@simonbarnwell7787]

The positivity which your channel exudes in spade fulls is a great antidote to the general negativity of the world at this point in time .

[@iamwhoiamd7056]

I love what you are doing. It looks so nice Dan.

[@Curligirl70]

Looking great Dan! You're really making good progress 😊

[@thomasherrin6798]

Well it's the first day of putting back, hopefully he can get a months worth of lime pointing to make a big difference, there is a lot more demolition to go, losing the basement ceiling (Which is the Ground floor) is a bit of a nightmare, but the scaffold can go up then in one third of the building!?!

[@heatherlee1128]

Just found your blogs love watching them

[@barbarastevens3053]

There's light at the end of the tunnel. Best wishes to Dan the man in everything he wants to achieve.

[@kittonsmitton]

Great that you include the tunes address! thanks Dan, the tech tips are great too. Press on mate, looking great!

[@jillychandler]

You are such a patient man Dan, to do all that pointing - it looks fab by the way. xxx

[@jobopening5085]

Is this the first time you put something in (repaired) that’s meant to stay “forever?” Congratulations!!

[@tommcintyre5608]

Put the whole bag in the mixer then cut it open and dump it. It’s faster, saves material from spilling and seems easier. But only if you have room for a full bag. I know suggestions can be annoying and everybody has their own system. Loving this whole project. See you tomorrow.

[@craig_ramjet990]

Satisfaction from a job done good and a task knocked off the list. Thats a great feeling. It makes you smile. I think you are doing very good, sir. It is fun to watch you doing your restoration and the surprises are very cool in old houses.

[@1231ms54]

Glad you had lights

[@christinejesson-valore6439]

Another step forward! It's looking amazing Dan. So proud of you!

[@bernadettewatts3975]

Tomorra and tomorra and tomorra, how many we will gladly watch as you bring this gorgeous place back to life. Look what you’ve accomplished already! The basement is going to be stunning when you are through with the pointing and fixing the roof/1st floors. Cheers, Dan! … great prep work for all the things to come.

[@NurseSherry]

Another great accomplishment today. I am 6 hours behind you in time & I worry everyday when your videos are later than usual 😂😂. You are doing a fantastic job. Thank you!!❤😊

[@letome]

Ages ago I was employed by an old master bricklayer. He would use a piece of burlap, brushing the wall to finish the job. It looked astonishing, but then he was old school, a master at his craft. Keep up the good work😀

[@lisalarosa4546]

Great job on the wall. You really are becoming a professional at this!

[@susannahwhitaker994]

You can bring this beautiful chateau back to life from its feet to its head. You are a very clever man 🤗

[@laurenl5843]

Yes I do love a great pointing video. 😁

[@shelbycooper7504]

Wow the stone walled hallway looks beautiful will be good when you get it pointed

[@robertamccutcheon]

A man at his happiest. 😃

[@iangoulding7808]

Hi Dan great result on using the Lime in the mix with no cement. NHL 3.5 should suffice down there. It's important which sand you use though too. The pointing looks OK.... Can I suggest you spend time "Cutting" the pointing back just as it really firms up but is soft? Use a "small tool" and remove the pointing about 3-5mm AROUND the aris of the stones to expose the shape of the stone. Sponging can give a strange look... After cutting back use a soft brush the next day to remove the dog's.... Love pointing like you!

[@chrishenderson6500]

Its important to do jobs you like to do in huge projects like this. Keep it up!

[@louisepeel7398]

Amazing Dan, I’m so glad you’re securing the foundations. You’re such a trouper and I love your enthusiasm. I never miss an episode. I do worry about your safety and it all falling on top of you so doing that pointing helped me breathe a bit easier lol. Anyway you can get a cherry picker to go up and check for wobbly bricks on top just in case they fall on you while you work. Hope you wear a hard hat when you work on the first floor and yes I think someone’s suggestion of a dog for security would be good. I always worry about someone comin in and stealing all your tools and generator etc if they watch this and see what you have. Can’t wait til you have a wee spot to live there and are feeling so at home. We’re all rooting for you and are so invested in your project. X

[@jillipepper5353]

Maybe you could get a dog to keep you company at the chateau and you could post “Beware of Dogs” signs on the gates. The walls will be lovely once they are dry👍🏼

[@deborahgodley6980]

I think he has a dog at his farmhouse.

[@jillipepper5353]

@@deborahgodley6980 I was thinking big and imposing, the dogs at the house are fluffy and super friendly.🥰😂

[@lizstevenson7801]

Looks lovely Dan, I always think using the tapping brush method is in keeping with the rustic look and better finish. Well done 💕🇦🇺

[@davilianobostonma7669]

You are Amazing! Always make us hungry for what's going on next! Thanks Dan always enjoy your shows, The Chateau is Looking fantastic!

[@DevonaRavenhold]

Dan now we know the whole reason why you bought this Chateau... Just to do more pointing. Lol! It's looking so good though and so worthy of the effort.

[@julieduchek2969]

The basement wall that you worked on looks wonderful.

[@rosig236]

It was so great to see you make a start on the walls in the basement. How exciting! We are with you every step of the way Dan. See ya tomorra!

[@pamkullman8839]

Every time…I think that I have the skills to go and point something😂 after watching Dan do it

[@chrisatty]

Nice music, you look and sound more cheerful today, crack on mate. Thanks for a great channel. We are all behind you on this one.

[@cherylmcnair5594]

Well done Dan 👍😊

[@normamurray4450]

Wow, I am so excited to see the basement walls looking so good and firm. You know what you're doing Dan and it's getting more and more exciting!!

[@harrietdevine1295]

Great shots of the basement at night. I don't know why it's so enjoyable watching you pointing and shovelling but it is. The walls are going to look great!

[@Alienor15123]

The music is chateau perfect 🥰

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

The illuminations do look stunning. Thank you for the video!

[@prillewitz]

Moisture is a killer for the stability of your wall. If it’s winter and it freezes the wall could collapse if you start working on it, as friends of me discovered when they worked on the roof of a old French farm in the winter. Good for you that you tackle that problem this way.

[@nativetexson]

Really liking the chateau lit up at night. Great music in this video.

[@paulettejabbar5661]

Bonjour happy to look at thé video

[@kathykobs3865]

This is all about your expression as an artist. It’s never easy

[@luanncorbin8652]

Fine work. Well done. ❤❤🇺🇸🏰

[@Za11oy]

I've certainly been enjoying watching you clearing all of the basement's floor from all the junk that was on there, though for a while I didn't fully understand what it all was. Because contrary to the floor above, it didn't look like the roof and other things had collapsed down to the basement level. But after a couple of videos, I finally caught on, that a lot of it was actually what had been on the walls themselves and seeing so many stones with almost nothing between them was actually kind of making me nervous a little bit. Watching you starting the pointing today, was like a breath of fresh air. Because it's literally us seeing you doing something about those old stone walls that will to borrow a bit of idioms from us living being. Heal them. Making them much more stable and sturdy! So that's a win-win-win!

[@SylviaSchenkelsvan57]

Great job Dan, looks perfect to me. Love to see you working like that. See you...tomorrow!

[@hislatestflame7861]

I was just about to get my head down when I saw this pop up on my feed. Be rude not to stay up a little longer 😉👍🏻

[@katherineleavitt7275]

Dan you did a great job on pointing the stone wall it looks really good. Don't work yourself to death take a day off once in a while when you can. Hugs, Kathy USA 🇺🇸

[@dharper9332]

Well done my dear ............well done.

[@johnje4285]

You are brilliant

[@diannechapman5856]

Lovely to see you walk through the rooms

[@michellerassp4730]

Excellent work!

[@martnkimm]

Beat down and sponge worked great!! Looks so authentic.

[@dianecarter5984]

Love watching your videos as I drink my morning coffee from Australian 🇦🇺 Your videos start my day & always look forward to seeing them.

[@ositagordita8550]

Love it! A bientot! 👏✌️🇺🇲

[@sharontibbo2510]

I will be glad when you have another person on site with you. You are a very hard work and are doing great things with the Chateau but you do take risks. Be careful and keep having fun. The progress is really showing now.

[@marybaeseman3833]

So happy you have a new wheelbarrow!!

[@francer1793]

I wish vlog were longer I just love watching you work on your chateau ❤