Barn Restorer Brings New Approach To Big Jobs

Barn Restorer Brings New Approach To Big Jobs BUILDINGS Maintenance 20-6-4 If you've got an old barn that's headed south, you might want to get in touch with Ted Micka. The south central Michigan barn restoration expert brings a different approach to working on barns than most contractors. For example, Micka only uses simple machines such as winches, levers and hydraulic jacks. He designed steel brackets himself to repair rotted or sagging posts, beams, rafters, etc. He says repairs can be done in stages, focusing on the most critical structural problems first, then proceeding with other areas on a schedule the customer feels comfortable with. I don't want the patient to die, so I do the emergency room æbypass surgery' right away," says Micka, who holds a degree in engineering from the University of Michigan and has 10 years experience in the barn repair biz. "You can do other less drastic projects, such as the roof or siding, over time. This way, it isn't so financially overwhelming for the owner." The most common problem Micka tackles in old barns is rotting support posts or sagging stone walls. His approach appears to be popular. He works on about 20 barns a year and is booked four years in advance by customers, all of whom live within a 2-hour drive of his Brooklyn, Mich., home. Because he's so booked, Micka has put together a 60-minute videotape detailing his restoration methods. "The Barn Repair Process: A Practical Approach" sells for $29.95. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ted Micka, Barn Repair & Restoration, 12346 Sharon Valley Road, Department F, Brooklyn, Mich. 49230 (ph 517 536-4371).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.