An Update on the Situation ✨
Well it's been far too many phone calls, appointments, and random strange men in my house for my very introverted liking these last ten days, I'll tell you that much!
The photos are unrelated to this update, I just wanted to show you a peek of how the stenciling/painting in the foyer is coming along, and the iridescent fabric I'll be using to make a matching evening bodice to wear with the iridescent taffeta skirt ✨ Cheapest wainscoting ever (aka trompe l'oeil)
First I had a general contractor come out to try and stop the leak the next day, because they were the only company who /could/ come the next day, and there was water actively dripping out of a hole in my dining room ceiling. The guy was able to put a patch on a split gutter pipe that was leaking water into my attic above, and knock off some of the thick ice that had secured itself to the outside of my guttering on that spot. Still, water was leaking from the top of the same spot the next day, there was just as much water in my soffit again, and I was not loving the wishy washy communication on arrival times and other, so I tried my best to exit that situation without incurring additional fees and delays.
Luckily the ice had/has melted enough that water stopped leaking in at that one area of most concern, you know-- the area where it had overflowed down into my wall and then dissolved a bit of my ceiling downstairs, unluckily the more professional roofing companies I called were much more thorough and discovered that it wasn't just that one gutter spout (they all poke through from the Philadelphia guttering above on the roof down through the corner of the overhang into the attic on their way down the side of the house, which...no, doesn't make any sense and is dumb) it was essentially /all/ of my gutter spouts that had split open at the seams. This is because the gutters fill with ice, which then melts, and then expands when it refreezes, cracking open the (lets face it, old) gutter spouts. Which wouldn't be so bad if all of the gutter downspout was located say OUTSIDE, but that little bit that pokes through the attic means that the leak gets into my attic. This is a very stupid design decision, in my opinion.
Anyhow, the cost to remove the old gutters, replace that lower section of roof with new moisture barrier and shingles (plus any wood underneath that needs replacing) was quoted at just under 7 thousand dollars, plus an additional 2,500 for all new guttering on top of that. A whole new roof instead with gutters too would be around 19 thousand.
So uh, needless to say I don't have /that/ saved ready to slap down on a roof currently, and it's tax season approaching, which as this is my first year with taxes in NY, I have to save up for unexpected nonsense. So I will probably be trying my best to sign up for the fix (remove old gutters and put new roof on last 6ft) after I have my taxes sorted out, and then hopefully putting the new guttering on the calendar for later in the fall. I don't actually know if that will be possible, but it's nice to pretend I have a plan.
The good news is, it hasn't snowed a bucketload again (yet) so the leak is currently not leaking. Do I still have broken bad gutters the next time it snows that much? Yes. Do I still have a hole in my dining room ceiling (and will continue to have one until I can get the leak/roof above fixed, because obvi)? Yes. Is it just way too cold, and Jan/Feb in NY are for hibernating and drinking tea as far as I can tell? Also Yes.
But I have cookies, cats, iridescent fabric and all of you (and my kind family on the phone to keep me sane) so I I will be just fine.
I have made a vet appointment for Xander at a vet nearby for next month (it was the soonest they had open) and he seems his usual self, so hopefully he will remain okay until I can get him in. I decided that I could only really swing for the emergency (aka extra expensive) vet hospital fees if he had another sneeze/weird wheezing episode and he hasn't. I would have taken him in immediately, and planned on it, but I initially booked that when I didn't also concurrently have a leak dripping into my dining room. I'm watching him close and he is his usual big orange cozy self ❤️
I'm currently working away on the Drafting Dangerous episode about dart manipulation, and will be diving into a bunch of sewing later this week. Thank you for your patience and support!
Comments (49)
What if you did 3 episodes per project: 1.design, 2.draft, 3.demo & dissect? Then take a 2+ week hiatus until the next set. I find the new lighting makes it hard to really get a good view, esp on a tiny phone screen. Would filming and discussing the planning stages, with really well-lit closeups on the fabric, showing the drape with and wo interfacing, sketching the design w voiceover be LESS work than 3 projects in the current format? You could offer 2 of the 3 to youtube, saving one for patrons only, or only offer patreon project in the hiatus. Just an idea.
I’m watching Season 6 Episode 9 of Scandal (I know I’m late to that party). About halfway through, there’s a scene that looks like it could have been filmed at your house! I know tons of houses probably have stairs with three windows on the landing. It tickled me nonetheless.
Speaking of iridescent metallic tealxblack, I saw the Neon Cuckoo Bee and thought about you! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Qo_4nDRqMCs Best of luck with the water incursion incident and the kitty wheezing and sneezing - I have the second one and have had the first one in the past.
I'm so sorry this is happening to you! Unfortunately this is how home ownership goes, and always just when you can least afford it. But the rewards are worth it in the long run. The gofundme idea is a good one! When I read this a few days ago, was trying to think how I could help but just wasn't sure how... can't afford a bigger monthly payment but a one time donation might be doable. Keep up the good work, I always learn from your informative videos and love your sense of humor! And I'm just glad Xander is doing OK.
Thank you Celia! I will get it done somehow, it may just not be on a quick timeline 😅
Good luck to you on the vet and the leak from a fellow cat-parent of an asthmatic Orange Menace whose house once had what I call "the unintentional indoor water feature."
Any chance of starting a gofundme or similar? So many of us would like to help. Many hands make light work.
Thank you Tiana! You all help me so much already ❤
*Hugs* I hope things get better soon.
*supportive huggles* I hope the suggestions that many people offered are of help to you. I hope you're able to get everything resolved relatively quickly. I hope that Zander continues to be well and that he just had an incident of something irritating his nose. The fabric you've chosen is gorgeous! I'm looking forward to seeing the top you make to go with the fabulous skirt. Heck yeah, for fooling the eyes with paint. I'm a big fan of techniques like these. I'm the interest of fun painting techniques, might I suggest Zhostovo? It can be used on almost anything, not just trays, and the juxtaposition of vibrant with dark colors embellished with gold (or other metallics) is luscious.
Thank you! I love Zhostovo, and other similar styles of "folk" painting. My great aunt was a rather prolific tole painter in San Diego actually and I always thought she was the bees knees 🤩
Ugh. That is a gut punch! This cold has been brutal for all things water related!! Sending you magical "green to white technology" energy to make the fixes small and affordable!
Insurance - house insurance should help you with this? And if not why not. This is what house insurance is for. The best of luck. As others have said, you deserve a break. x
Pff that's some big money to just spend when not planning on it. I do hope tax season will be kind to you, because in my opinion you deserve a nice break
Thank you and I tend to agree about that break 😩❤
❤️
You are triggering my post roof-leak trauma in our old house. Ironically, the 1940's part of the house is solid without issue, it's the 1970's addition that gives us problems - it was built with the vibes of an overconfident white man disclaiming"nah, I reckon I can do that myself" 🙄
The 1970's weekend DIY guys with ideas are a burden to all of us 😩
Never hurts on an insurance call…..
Wow, lots of not fun. I had to look up Philadelphia gutters, i had never heard of that before.
I did too believe me 😅
I know when I replaced my roof (I think it really only needed new shingles, I don't think they had to do much structural stuff), I was able to get a loan that was %0 through the roofing company (usually they have agreements through Wells Fargo or another financing company). I was able to do that with my windows as well. It might have only been the first few years and then the rate went up. I can't remember, but definitely ask what financing they have available. Others mentioned state programs above, which could be possible, but even if you don't qualify for those, you probably could qualify for someting through the company. I'm a single cat lady like you and have had to navigate a lot of home repairs and replacements since buying my home about 5 years ago. So I feel ya! I live in Minnesota and there is a company here that has a "happy homeowners" club and its like $13 per month and it includes discounts on service, bi-annual mantentance inspections of hvac/ac systems, and no automatic serice charge for coming out. I have been very thankful to have a company I trust in my back pocket if something goes wrong (this particular company is plumbing, heating and electric). Maybe when things are less stressful you could look around and see if something like that exists in your area?
Sorry to hear of the house woes. Welcome to home ownership. It’s always something and usually at the more inconvenient times. You will get through it. Rooting for you!
Do you have building insurance? (I hope so!) Would it cover damage if this nature? (I hope so!) We're in a much newer house (built in 1964/ added on to in 1984) and are looking at having to move out for a few months while our black mould infested bathroom walls are demolished and rebuilt under insurance. Worse though is that the bathroom wall backs onto my sewing room so my entire stash will need to be moved/ stored for the duration. :-(
Oof! I fear this...as my bathroom is-- interesting, and there is a weird shower surround I actively do not want to look behind 😬
Oh man! Much luck with weather! It’s finally getting closer to spring!
Sorry you’re dealing with this. We’ve had some problems like this in the past and one thing that has helped is a roof rake. This is essentially a large rake (folds for storage) you can use to clean the snow off your roof. This keeps the snow from melting into the gutters then freezing there. Low tech cheap solution that does work.
Unfortunately the roof is like three stories tall for my little 5ft5inch self, so moving the snow myself would not be possible 😅
I’m so glad to hear Xander is doing okay for now, I hope he stays stable while you wait for the vet visit. I’m sorry this whole roof/gutter/ice situation has hit you out of the blue and you just got the dining room “done for now” so it sucks extra hard. I have no homeowners wisdom unfortunately but I’m gonna keep my fingers crossed for you and say a prayer to whoever is the patron saint of fixing old houses (St Joseph maybe? I’m sure there’s someone).
Yes! Poster here mentioned ice dams and heat tape. I got ours at Lowes in the US. It comes in 50 foot increments. I put it anywhere an ice dam can occur and it plugs in to help melt the ice dam and shuttle water off the house. Additionally it is just a long thin heated strip so you can put it in your gutters and down spouts to help melt ice that forms there and keep the water flowing in the gutters. I know this doesnt help now but it is a great option for future winters. Its not too expensive and just plugs in.
I am SO sorry this is your “Welcome to East Coast Winter Weather”. My fingers are crossed that this is our last (winter) ‘storm’ of the season so you can repair things at a pace that works for YOU. I’m also saying prayers to the feline deities that Xander’s ‘’sneizure’’ is a one off - say dust bunnies perhaps?? - and does NOT require further medical intervention!! (Are you listening Kek, Nefertum, Artemis, Bastet, Freyja, and Mut????)
+1 worth a call to the insurance company
Man, that sucks. I feel you. We had a flood from a pipe breaking in the foundation slab and a big tree planted too close to our house decades ago that went under and started messing up our foundation. 10s of thousands. But, you will push through! Keep the faith! This, too, shall pass.
Not trying to one up or anything. Just saying we feel you! You aren’t alone. We are ‘with’ you!
Oh it's awful that this as happened to you. In tne UK we can get self sealing tape to wrap around leaking pipes and things. Can you get to the pesky leak n th attic to patch it?
This is indeed how the rando contractor guy I hired for a day-ish fixed it, but the water was also coming in around the top so....it was not effective 😅
I'm so sorry this happened. I hope your tax bill is low so you can start working toward a solution.
Sorry your having trouble with the roof. You might want to check if New York state has grants available for helping with the costs. I started digging and found the NYS Targeted Home Improvement Program (T-HIP). Hopefully those grants would be able to offset some or all of the costs. {{Hugs}}
When it rains it pours. I understand how you feel. I hope all is well soon.
Stories like these make me happy I have affordable rent. Here's hoping that's the only structural issue you need to deal with so that all your stenciling stays intact!
Sounds stressful, hope you're able to keep cosy and the weather holds out for you.
Ugh, that's no fun at all. I hope you're able to get through this winter without too much more disaster.
The mural and the fabric is stunning 😍 I'm glad that you have beautiful things to keep your brain busy and away from The Situation while you wait for the strange men to do their work. Stress is a hell of drug
I am so sorry this is happening, Bianca. Roofing and leaking issues suck ass. I'm wishing and hoping that the NY tax beast is kind and that nothing else is damaged in the meantime. Wishing your gutters a very pleasant, please☝stop
Good luck!! I got a good rate for a HELOC from my credit union to fix my roof (which was partially still covered with its original 1910 cedar shingles and like, newspaper!). Old houses are an expensive joy at times.
Check with your county government for tax breaks/grants/available money for home renovations and updates. Many counties/localities offer 0% interest loans/grants/other free money to make necessary repairs, update outdated homes or make energy efficient upgrades!
Hello, and sorry you're dealing with all of that! First, hope Xander is doing well, as well as all the other goober nuggets! Second, have you checked with your insurance agent about filing a claim for them to replace the whole roof and gutters system along with patching the interior damage? If there are not currently available new roof shingles that match your existing ones, I believe NY regulations require the insurer to replace the full roof for uniform appearance. TN is the same way (yay tornado season!). Worth a quick call to your insurance agent, and you'd just be responsible for paying your deductible. Best of luck!
🥲 I occasionally hear of insurance companies not being total poopheads. It might be worth a call. GOOD LUCK
Good luck, I can't imagine the nightmare! I live in New England too, and to help avoid ice dams I have a heat strip that goes along the roof line. When it's snowy/icy, I plug it in and it melts the snow and ice. I can't remember the cost but it wasn't too expensive. I do recommend that for next winter if you can find room in your budget.