Caring for an old house
Many houses around Middleburg are old, and a few date to the 1700s. Thick stone walls stay cool, and a basement or a north room can smell musty after a wet spell. Wide plank floors move with the seasons and open small gaps that catch grit. Old glass is thin. Plaster can crack if a ladder leans on it. Tell us about fragile surfaces and existing damage so we can agree a suitable scope and anything to leave untouched. On the first visit, walk the rooms with us or leave a note. Point out the pieces that should only get a dry cloth, the floors that want a barely damp mop and any rooms to skip. Fireplaces in use leave fine ash on mantels, rugs and the books nearby, so give the hearth rooms extra time in winter. We share those agreed care notes with the assigned team and discuss any personnel changes before a visit.
