(no subject)

[turps]

An update helped by photos.

They couldn't get anyone to make the roof watertight on Friday. I can't blame the insurance company, they kept trying and sending texts all night saying they were having an issue getting someone to help. Which isn't surprising as the weather has been really bad lately.

Then, when I woke on Saturday morning I had a text saying someone was coming to make the bedroom ceiling safe between 8am and midday. Which was great, expect we had to leave to go to a craft fair at 10. Thankfully, Kayleigh said she'd sit in the house from 10 to 12 if needed, but in the end the guy turned up at nine.

Making the ceiling safe apparently meant pulling more of the sodden bits down, and he warned that it's likely the whole ceiling will have to be redone, the carpet replaced and even maybe the bed as while we did get it moved it's still in a room where a lot of fibreglass had fallen. He also said there was nothing he could do to patch the roof at that point -- because it was still raining. So all we can do is keep the buckets there to catch drips.

The actual roofer is coming out on Thursday and will patch the bedroom ceiling at that point too. I'm assuming just as a stop-gap measure to stop all the heat from escaping like it is now as everything is still very wet up there.

Tomorrow a loss adjustor is getting in touch and we'll see where we have to go in terms of dehumidifiers if we can get the carpets cleaned or will have to replace etc.

The insurance have been good and even offered to pay for a hotel stay for us if needed. But, our house is set up for James with the closomat toilet, stair lift etc and of course, the cats. We're sleeping in Corey's old room atm. He had a double bed which is good, but taking some getting used to as normally we have a superking size with a firm mattress. While his is smaller with a mattress like you're on a bouncy castle. Plus, the cats have to sleep at our feet which they're not amused about. But, at least we do have somewhere to sleep.

Once the ceiling guy went we headed to our first Christmas craft fair -- we've another next Sat -- and sold a nice amount of stuff. Not as much as the summer version but the weather didn't help as it was pouring down and lots of roads were flooded on the way. But, we more than paid for our table and it was lovely to see some of the other cat adopters again.

Also, if you look at the photo please note the expertly painted and wrapped Christmas trees as done by me *g*

Today we've been driving around all over. First thing followed my brother in his works van to the garage then brought him home, went to Tim Hortons for breakfast. Off to Company for groceries. To my SiL's as it was her partner's birthday yesterday so needed to drop off his card, onto the pub to put down the deposit for the meal on Friday. Back to pick up my brother so he could pick up his van. Then home just in time for Milo's heated cat bed to be delivered.

misbegotten linked to it a bit ago and when I ordered it said a delivery time between one week and three. In the end it wasn't even one and I was surprised when I saw it was on its way this morning. It was delivered, I plugged it in, and Milo hasn't left it yet.

Comments

[sperrywink]

HAI James!

HAI MIlo! Glad you are warm and toasty now.

That is a big whole in your ceiling. Hopefully, you can get it fixed quickly and not deal with incremental weather in your house anymore. *g*

[shadowhive]

Awww Milo💜 like I said on insta that craft stuff looks so awesome

And damn that ceiling hole looks so big and scary, I hope things get sorted out soon!

[spikedluv]

I'm glad they're trying to get this taken care of quickly!

Yay for the craft fair going well. And Milo loving his new heated bed.

[dine]

look at that not!ceiling - I sure hope the repairs don't take long, and you don't have to replace tons of stuff

James really does nice work! glad you got some good sales

Milo looks pretty content in that bed - I probably need to give in and get Olivier one. be he'd enjoy that tons

[quiet1]

When our toilet leaked (it wasn't a large leak, either, it was a slow drip we just didn't notice because it wasn't going anywhere visible until it started coming out of the downstairs ceiling) we ended up with half the ceiling in the downstairs room removed, a big chunk of the subfloor in the bathroom, and most of the wall closest to the leak in the downstairs room. They basically took it back to stuff they knew was good in all directions, and only tried to dry out the framing as that's more robust so isn't as likely to warp or anything from being wet. So I'd expect more of the ceiling to be removed - it also helps to get the air into the framing to get it dried out properly, and it's easier to patch plaster/dry wall with clean edges, apparently, so you don't lose much from making the hole bigger since it makes the final repair easier anyway.

I'd definitely be careful with the fiberglass though, that can be nasty and give you splinters, or the cats might lick it up which doesn't seem good? So I'd err on the side of replacing things and make sure you get enough from insurance to do so. (We had someone come in with the toilet leak and they pointed out that it'd even gotten down to the floor in one area - which we hadn't noticed as it was under the sofa, but they were VERY thorough - and made sure insurance covered floor repairs too.)

[jacieleigh]

Yep, that's how mine went. It kept raining, the ceiling tile kept getting wetter and softer until it all came crashing down. Sorry you're having to deal with it all, but at least you have a dry room to sleep in... and the cats with you.

The table looks great! I'm glad you made enough to make it worth your time.

Awww, Milo is looking very comfortable and alert for an older kitty. I wish I could reach out and give him a scritch on the head!

[frausorge]

Oh wow, what a headache with the roof and the ceiling! I can see where it makes sense for you and James to keep staying in your home though, and thank goodness you do have another bedroom at your disposal. I hope the hassles yet to come may be as small as possible.

James's work is stunning! And the trees look most festive and attractively wrapped. :)

Milo looks like he's daring anyone to try to get him out of his bed! What a fantastic thing for him to enjoy.

[turps]

It's so good we do have a bedroom to camp out in, especially so as it doesn't look like our bedroom is going to be a quick fix.

James' work does look lovely all gathered together. And of course, it's good my trees are being admired *g*

Milo has barely moved from his heated bed apart from going to the litter tray and to eat. He looks really comfortable.

[turps]

Yep, that's how mine went. It kept raining, the ceiling tile kept getting wetter and softer until it all came crashing down.

Yeah, totally the same. It'll be a miracle if more of the ceiling doesn't fall before Thursday. While I can understand why the late date due to a lack of skilled tradespeople. It sucks that the longer the wait the more damage is caused.

Takings were down from the summer fair at the same place, but it was understandable due to the weather. But we made money and could give a donation to the rescue so it was a good result.

Milo would love a scritch on the head. He's barely moved from the bed. He's in it now, fast asleep and looking very comfortable.

[turps]

I'm starting to realise that this is going to take much longer to sort than I expected, and I'm grateful for everyone who is telling me what to expect.

What you said makes sense about taking back to the perfectly dry parts and yeah, the fiberglass is a worry. I hate brushing against the stuff normally never mind now when it's part soggy and fallen through the ceiling. Plus, after so many days I suspect everything will be getting damp in the bedroom, including the bed.

Our insurance has new for old, so hopefully, it won't be an issue getting things replaced. Supposedly someone is coming out to do an inspection tomorrow so I'll ask questions then.

[turps]

I can't say I like being able to see the roof from inside. I'll be very happy when it's sealed again.

Milo is loving his bed a lot. I'm sure Olivier will too. misbegotten needs to be on commission.

[turps]

They're trying to work quickly but seem to be making appointments all over the place. For example, the roofer just came to check the roof, but he's not the roofer that's booked for Thursday so I have no idea why he's here. Especially as he was on his own and only had a short ladder so couldn't actually get on the roof.

Milo loves his heated bed so much. He's only left it for the litter tray and to eat.

[turps]

Milo loves his heated bed so much. I worried he wouldn't like it, but has barely got out of it since I plugged it in.

The hole is not fun to look at!

[turps]

I'm quite jealous of Milo's bed, it looks very comfy.

I do not like having weather inside the house! The roofer just came to check the roof, but didn't have a long ladder and was on his own so could only look at the edges of the roof. So he's coming back tomorrow with someone to help. Plus, he's not the roofer that's been booked for Thursday. So many roofers and I still have a non-water-tight house!

[spikedluv]

I can imagine that they were frantically calling around at first, but having the guy show up with a ladder that doesn't even reach the roof is weird.

Aww, I'm glad he loves it! He probably wonders why he's only discovering this cool new thing now. *g*

[turlough]

ALL the good luck with the roof repairs and insurance stuff and everything!!

I'm not suprised to hear the fair went well. James makes such lovely stuff! And yes, your trees are marvelously well wrapped and presented!

I didn't know heated cat beds existed! Milo is looking so cosy and content.

[tara]

I saw the photos of your disaster on Insta, obviously, but it sounds even worse than it looked! I'm glad it didn't happen in the middle of winter, at least, but it's still such a hassle. I don't know if you remember when Mum's ceiling all fell down due to a burst pipe but all her carpet had to be replaced and she was living on the concrete slab for months. I hope they can get your place fixed up MUCH quicker. <3

[quiet1]

That's good about the insurance. Means you just have to make sure you identify everything that needs to be replaced instead of arguing with them about what they replace it WITH, hopefully. And I hope stuff like the mattress is still available - it sucks to find a mattress that works well for you and then have something happen and not be able to get a replacement that's the same. (We are currently having mattress Issues trying to find one that works and stays comfortable for more than a couple months. So if I found a good one and then something happened to it and had to start the whole process over again, I would cry. 😂)

[turps]

I suspect if they'd been able to get the roof fixed on the day the damage wouldn't have been so bad. But as it is, it's been open for four days and everything is damp and horrible in the bedroom. I got quite a shock when they came to make the ceiling safe and to do so had to take down a bigger area. But the plasterer said what was up there was so wet it probably would have fallen at some point so it was better to take it down safely.

As bad as it is it could have been a lot worse. The ceiling could have fallen on us or the cats, I charge my phone at the side of the bed but that area didn't get touched by water, plaster or fiberglass which is good. Plus as you said, at least it isn't the dead of winter.

The roofer is due any minute now and then the insurance inspector at 10. So, lots of waiting today.

And yes, I hope it doesn't take months too.

[turps]

Thank you!

And thank you for noting my beautifully wrapped trees *g*

I didn't know heated cat beds existed either but Milo loves it. I laughed this morning as Murphy decided he wanted to go in it, and Milo was not amused. When Murphy finally got out I've never seen Milo move so fast as he did to get back in.

[brandywine28]

Oh, God! What a mess! I'm so sorry you guys have to deal with this!

It's nice that they were willing to put you up at a hotel, but even nicer that your house is still livable and you don't have to upend your lives too drastically. Stay warm, safe and kitty-fied.

That's a gorgeous table of goodies! Happy craft fair-ing!

[tara]

It sounds horrible :( I'm so sorry you have to go through it all.

When Mum's roof came down it was very lucky because she wasn't at home and Tricky was outside at the time. He was rather traumatised as it was, just by watching it happen from outside the glass door!

[dreamersdare]

Ah, that woodwork is gorgeous. That big sod-off hole in the ceiling is not! I mean, thank god for insurance, but it's such a slow, drawn out process sometimes!

[turps]

When Mum's roof came down it was very lucky because she wasn't at home and Tricky was outside at the time. He was rather traumatised as it was, just by watching it happen from outside the glass door!

You've just reminded me that the cats were sat watching the water when it first started to come through. At least they could have meow'ed or something *g*

[turps]

That big sod-off hole in the ceiling is not! I mean, thank god for insurance, but it's such a slow, drawn out process sometimes!

It really is, but at least we're making some steps forward now. I just found out that the builders are coming to inspect the ceiling tomorrow. I really hope they'll say they'll be back soon to actual fix it, because I could do without a gaping hole up there.

[turps]

It's nice that they were willing to put you up at a hotel, but even nicer that your house is still livable and you don't have to upend your lives too drastically. Stay warm, safe and kitty-fied.

It is a mess, but we were also lucky it only affected one bedroom as it could have easily been much worse. If I hadn't been home the water could have gone through to the floors below or more of the roof come down. So, yeah. At least we can still live at home and be mostly unaffected.

[tara]

So rude of them!