Grunge Garage

[bczygan]

are running water or heat working yet?

No,
But making steady progress in that direction now. By tomorrow there will be excellent access for removing things from the basement through the back hall, down the back walk and out to the dumpsters. Then I and fellow GJ member Brian, will get a look down there and see what needs doing for both those things.

 

[welder4956]

Red leader,
It is scary accepting help. Besides dealing with my wife's strong resistance, there is the danger of neighbors finding out what a mess there really is behind my fence. And the loss of control from having others involved is difficult. And I find that there is a loss of pride. It feels shameful to have to do this. I always felt I was totally self sufficient. You feel less self worth if you can't just do it yourself. I feel a strong urge to get it all done by myself before anyone gets here. But there is just a bit too much to do.

Bill,

You have nothing to be shameful about here. If anything, what you are doing commands deep respect. You are taking action to get things back on track and you have tremendous support from the folks here. Take pride in knowing you are making progress and that so many respect your efforts and are willing to help. I have no doubt you will succeed.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

I just saw this and wish you luck.

 

[Grandad]

Bill,
You have nothing to be shameful about here. If anything, what you are doing commands deep respect.

I just wanted to say "Amen" to that brother.

And, to let you know the range of people supporting you still stretches all the way down under to Australia.
You've got the bull by the horns now mate, don't let go!

 

[rwhite692]

No,
But making steady progress in that direction now. By tomorrow there will be excellent access for removing things from the basement through the back hall, down the back walk and out to the dumpsters. Then I and fellow GJ member Brian, will get a look down there and see what needs doing for both those things.

Glad to hear you are making progress, Bill.

 

[jam0o0]

keep up the good work. and don't get mad at the helpers when they see something as worthless when you don't. it's gunna happen. a lot. be ready for that and don't let it slow you down.

 

[morfmedia]

You've made good progress, keep up the hard work and focus on water / heat then the tidy up. Top work to those who have volunteered to assist in person and by phone.

This has inspired me to get my garage tidied up this weekend and also to ensure my mum stops hoarding stuff she definitely doesn't need!

Good to see that SWMBO is now getting onboard, I think that should really help in making good progress long term. Could you maybe use her as the person who sells your stuff on CL / ebay?

 

[kirk.g]

Hello Bill ,just wanted to say that you dont need to be ashamed of anything.I wish we could hear that your partner was more on side with you though........Kirk.

 

[Bronson]

Hi Bill, You are keeping Me motivated. I am outside going thru used lumber and building a mower shed out of what is usable. That will get riding mower, push mower and yard tools outta My shop, therefore making it easier to keep clean and organized. The lumber not used in the shed build will go down the street to a neighbor who had a fire. The leftover corrugated siding will go to a Friend to skirt His trailer, where he lives after the divorce. All of it is being utilized and it feels good to use it up. Back to work now, I will check in tonight to see how You are faring!

 

[thomask]

Heeeeey Thomask things are getting close to normal around here. Hows things down there in the rainshine state .


Rick

How you doing Rick, sorry I have been off line for a while, glad your doing good. It was damp and cold here this a.m., like 60 degrees....for the Sunshine State?

BTW Do hope to get to visit Randy at the shop this fall. Can't wait to see progress now that he is moved all in.

Bill has our support and seems like he may have the corner turned here. Perhaps he has some items that may just be useful to some folks out there.It may make parting with items more bearable and go to a good cause at the same time.

 

[bczygan]

Basement photos....yuck!

 

[Kevin54]

Good morning Bill.

I am totally at a loss of words about the basement. WOW!!!! How much water damage was actually done and how high did the water come? From what I can see of the pics, every single thing is pretty much trash down there. Seriously consider a rolloff container. Please.

Take 98TJ up on his offer for the rolloff, and start the purging process.

And don't look at it like you are too proud to be asking for help. All of the help is being offered before you had a chance to ask. Please accept it.

 

[bczygan]

Good morning Kevin,
Water was up to the top of my yellow boots and it reflooded too, even after I pumped it out. It had a foot of water during the winter with an inch of ice on the top. Yes, it's trash. There's 2 water heaters, a dryer, shelving, a piano, lots of cans of paint and lots more. Still an inch of water and drek on the floor. Very damp too. Gonna be a job. Brian is coming to look today and bringing an expert on mold etc. (Thank you again Brian!). I've got to move the Bridgeport ram out of the back hall and then start toting paint out to clear the stair.

 

[Need4racin]

You might need a truck and a trailer to take all that to the dump (does the county have a free recycle/dump?).

 

[bczygan]

Limited recycle in the city (That I know of), but city has yard for bulk waste on the east side. Free truck load a week.

Correction:

I checked the DPW website and in addition to the weekly dumpster pickup, there is a 4 times a year bulk pickup in front of your house. My next one is Nov 3. 1 cubic yard or 1000 lb. In addition you can take bulk items to the yard. 8:30-4:00 Tue-Sat. One load a day 1000 lb. 1 CY. No household garbage or construction debris for bulk. Bulk includes tires, appliances, brush, furniture, mattresses and carpeting.

In the good old days you could disgorge anything on the street for weekly pickup. That worked until people threw entire dismantled houses to the curb.

I have a van and utility trailer (4x8) and 6 dumpsters so should be good to go for disposal.

 

[csp]

It's likely that those buckets of paint will be considered hazardous waste. Our trash company won't take paint buckets unless the lid is off and the paint is dry. When I have latex paint that needs to go I just pour it out on dirt and let it dry. Pick up the blob when it's dry and chuck it in a trash can.

 

[bczygan]

It's likely that those buckets of paint will be considered hazardous waste. Our trash company won't take paint buckets unless the lid is off and the paint is dry. When I have latex paint that needs to go I just pour it out on dirt and let it dry. Pick up the blob when it's dry and chuck it in a trash can.

Technically true here probably as well. But basically whatever you can fit in the weekly dumpster goes to the dump. Especially if you bag it. We're supposed to put yard waste (Leaves and grass clippings) in paper bags and leave on curb. And there is a blue recycling tub for Fri. pickup. But I've always just used the black dumpster for everything including concrete and shingles and whatever I could cut up and fit in. We used to be able to put bodies in whole....but now we have to dismember them first.

Note:
This thread is making me find out all about our disposal options. We DO have a recycling program, both curbside and at designated sites. In addition I just found out there is a hazardous waste location! Maybe in the future I will properly participate....

 

[JSBriggs]

Bill do you have a utility trailer? How far is the dump? In addition to the 5 rolling cans a week, if you can do 5 trailer loads (1 per day) that would help make a huge dent. I would agree with the others that a roll off dumpster is the best way to go, but several trailer loads a week improves the efficiency of your current rate.

-Jeff

 

[bczygan]

Bill do you have a utility trailer? How far is the dump? In addition to the 5 rolling cans a week, if you can do 5 trailer loads (1 per day) that would help make a huge dent. I would agree with the others that a roll off dumpster is the best way to go, but several trailer loads a week improves the efficiency of your current rate.

-Jeff

DPW yard is within a couple miles. Sounds like a plan!

 

[Nighttrain]

Should we be worried? I think someone has taken over Bill's computer, his last three post were about throwing stuff away! Dang Bill i think the bug has bit you to get going with the clean-up, keep this energy up and enjoy the task of getting rid of this stuff.

 

[NWphotog]

Making progress Bill! Keep it up!

 

[bczygan]

Should we be worried? I think someone has taken over Bill's computer, his last three post were about throwing stuff away! Dang Bill i think the bug has bit you to get going with the clean-up, keep this energy up and enjoy the task of getting rid of this stuff.

And selling stuff. My wife put the Apache Mesa Pop-Up on CL and I fielded a call today.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/rvs/2647402527.html

 

[kirk.g]

hey Bill the canvas looks real good.With all these campers you,ll have plenty of lodging when all the help arrives.LOL

 

[Lawson4450]

All right Bill! hey and just a reminder remember you need to keep proper make up air around the furnace and the water heaters when you do get everything up and running so put as little as possible around them. Also dont keep any hazardous materials in there if you can help it either. Just want you to stay safe man!

 

[Barely-a-Ford Garage]

Hey Bill,

Just spent like 3 hours at work reading this entire thread! I have to say I am very impressed with your progress!!! My step dad was a hoarder and my mother and I spent countless weekends cleaning **** out of the house only for him to bring more **** home during the week! Eventually it led to my mother getting fed up and divorcing him (after 12 years) because he couldnt kick the habit (addiction).

I am glad to see ur mrs is appreciating and starting to want to help with ur cleaning and recovery. Hoarding is a serious problem and obviously you know first hand how it can affect your life! It takes a big man to step up and do what you've done! Admitting then receiving help from strangers takes more courage than most people realize! Growing up with a hoarder I was constantly embarrassed when my friends came over to my house and saw how we lived.. I know its hard to have people over to help you but its the biggest way to face ur fears and make a change in the right direction!

HUGE props go out to everyone who has offered to help and actually kept their word! You are good people and I'm glad to see there are still people like you in the world!!! If I wasn't down here in Texas I'd be there to help in a heartbeat!

Anyways, VERY proud of you! Please keep up the great job!
Cant wait to see more progress pics!

-Jeremy

 

[custom1]

Been watching from the cheap seats. This thread is addictive.

A few observations and comments.

The basement pics don't look half as bad as I thought they would. You can see the steps and floor! All that stuff needs to go though. Where is the water coming from? Broken pipes? Ground water? Sump pump not working? That is as important as fixing the furnace and DHW. Maybe this was covered before. Forgive me if I missed it.

As others have said, The comment from your wife about the nagging I also found interesting. I think she is at least 50% of the problem. Maybe her way of denying her part in it. In her mind it is all your problem.You are going to have to get her up to speed with you on this or your going to have a hard time getting this completed and keeping it that way. I have a 4' closet and one dresser of clothes and so does my wife. We have another closet of seasonal. I'm just saying, she is going to have to give up some of those bins sooner or later.

You said a while back about some scrap metal. I know it's not a priority in getting the basement cleaned up, but take some loads of that in and get some cash. It will make you feel better about getting rid of stuff plus it will give you some more much needed space.

Lastly, I think you're doing more typing than cleaning today. We need another to do list and some progress pics everyday.

We're pulling for you Bill. If I was closer I would sign on to the team. Really.

 

[fergus]

YES YES YES YES! DO IT! YES!

Nice Progress Bill!

 

[bczygan]

Custom1:
"Lastly, I think you're doing more typing than cleaning today. We need another to do list and some progress pics everyday."

Custom1,
You're too damn observant.
Here's the List:
1. Bed frame out of kitchen
2. Paint cans off basement steps
3. Blower into garage

I'll check them off as they are completed.

 

[rickairmedic]

Bill he aint that observant . I've been on here most of the day myself and havent seen you not logged on yet . Todays Thursday I would like to see a clear path into and through the basement by saturday morning . You got a long way to go by the weekend but I know you can do it .


Rick

 

[morfmedia]

Top work, seems like you've changed gears now, keep on going.

 

[Holedgr]

Ok....the best dumpster(dumptrailer) prices I can get locally are $225.00 for 10 yards and $325.00 for 20 yards. a $25 fuel surcharge is added for every dumpster. The max time is 7 days to load one and the contents restrictions must be followed!!!

On the other hand I could bring my 6 yard dump truck and get rid of it for $70.00.

Methinks that if we can assemble an army, a dumptrailer would be good. But, that volume would put ALOT of pressure on Bill.

On the other hand....I could bumrush Bill and he and I could bust some *** and fill my truck in an afternoon.

Bill....I told you I was coming.....you'd better be ready to W O R K...Or at least point that finger to whats gotta go....I'm getting my jobs caught up a little and may have some time soon

BTW.....6 yards of chit is ALOT in terms of how it looks in the basement versus in the truck so we can do ALOT of damage......


WHAT SAY YOU?!?



Drill Sargeant T

 

[sam 8]

You are one hell of a determined guy, Bill. congrats for looking the boogie man in the face and stepping right in to change your life. Lots of people talk about it but very few can walk the walk.
You are clearly one of the few.
The fellow who posted above me has made one heck of an offer, you know best but in your shoes I would jump on that like white on rice.

 

[Phxphenom]

Bill.....You need to take Holedgr up on his offer while you can. Please don't let this opportunity slip away. I am sure there are others besides myself willing to help out financially but it's your call now.....

Marc

 

[rwhite692]

Bill, you really should take Holedgr up on his offer, and/or, get a large roll off dumpster and hire a couple of day laborers to empty that basement. If it is too rough on you emotionally, hire them and have someone else supervise them and then leave home for the day, if you have to.

I really don't see any true financial obstacle to doing so.

Buy a couple of disposable tyvek jumpsuits and respirator masks for them, and turn them loose.

They should be able to empty that basement in a day.

You have got to get truly serious here. Freezing weather is going to be upon you and you have no running water or heat. Get a cash advance on a credit card, or borrow some money locally, then sell a trailer or trailers later and pay it off, whatever it takes.

The no heat /no running water problem is just way, way too serious to keep poking along with incremental progress like this.

 

[bczygan]

Bill he aint that observant . I've been on here most of the day myself and havent seen you not logged on yet . Todays Thursday I would like to see a clear path into and through the basement by saturday morning . You got a long way to go by the weekend but I know you can do it .


Rick

Rick,
I leave the computer on and logged in a lot of the time.

Just had a visit with Brian (Great GJ guy!) and a mold expert he brought to help look at the basement. Got some very bad news concerning mold. The basement is a disaster area with mold highly visible on every surface of everything there. Before anyone goes down there for any reason they need proper protective equipment which includes a full face respirator and particulate filter, Tyvek suit and taped on gloves and boots. In addition I need to seal off the rest of the house so airborne spores and foot borne germs don't contaminate the rest of the house. I'm not sure yet if I want to allow anyone to expose themselves to this environment. It's going to take some thought.
Meanwhile I am thinking of solving the heat problem first. The thinking is this. If I have heat I can work anywhere in the house in cold weather. If I have heat, when I do plumbing, it won't freeze and burst and flood again. I have an upstairs room for installing a heater and water heater. Now I just need to figure out what kind of heater. I'm looking for something that will vent outside. Suggestions?

 

[Phxphenom]

A couple of questions:
1) what is preventing mold from getting out of the basement and into the rets of the house now?
2) If you seal off the rest of the house, how will you be able to clear everything out of the basement?
3) If you install a water heater upstairs, how will you get water to it and how will you be able to drain said water without it getting leaked all over basement?

Thanks,
Marc

 

[rwhite692]

Bill, sure the mold is "dangerous". Practically everything we do is dangerous.

Mold is the new Radon! The new Asbestos! It will kill you like a thief in the night!

To anyone who builds a career around mold, Mold=Armageddon, and big dollars.

Get the respirators, get the disposable tyvek jumpsuits, and get this **** done.

If you go and get some portable heater / kludged together water heater, you are probably not going to ever fix your actual heat or water problems.

 

[rickairmedic]

Well Bill a 90% or higher furnace could be vented through a sidewall with PVC pipe . The only issue I see here is you would be talking about running all new ductwork through the house .


The water heater could be solved in much the same way with either a power vent tank water heater or a tankless like my Rhinnai . They both also use a PVC type flue that could be vented through a sidewall. Again you are talking a good chunk of money for either water heater option with the tankless being much higher . I think it might actually be cheaper to get some tyvek suits and a couple day laborers and a dumpster than to try and rework the entire HVAC and plumbing systems .

That being said you will most likely be replacing both systems anyways but hopefully not all the ducts and water pipes as well by doing the basement .


Rick

 

[Nighttrain]

Your getting side tracked Bill on thinking about something else besides the basement. Don't worry about the heat and water THIS week. Get that basement done this weekend. If you empty the basement this weekend 90% of the mold will be gone! The clean up after that will get you to your original hot water / heater equipment. Buy $100 in plastic and suits and several good respirators and get some $10 / hr workes to empty it. You survived all last winter without heat and water. You can go another tow weeks with out it. You did good today but we want to see an empty basement. You will have a big burden off your chest.

 

[TrooperJoe73]

Well, thank you for leading by example rick, you should follow your own advice.

I don't feel I was insulting anyone, therefore, I won't apologize. Apologies come from the heart, not from someone telling you to. (Not specifically you rick)

I will say, I had no intention to offend anyone. At any rate, I stand by my first statement, and I did read the entire thread now.

This is a great site, and I'm not here to troll or argue. I think more action is required and less talk. I had no intention of checking on this thread again, except that I actually didn't read it all, so I started from the beginning.

Thanks for the welcome bczygan, keep working at it!

You know Trooper we normally accept new guys around here and treat them like family . I will have to admit we do get one from time to time that frankly can go back to wherever they came from . " You meet the criteria " .


I will say again if you cant say something positive or relative STFU.



Rick