|
|
« The New Vision Civic League of East End |
Main
| bondo-fu »
July 8, 2004
on learning
When the house restoration thing comes up, one of the common questions is about what kind of prior applicable experience we had when we started this. The answer is that we had no experience at all, or even just a lifetime of negative indicators (like that time that I was just checking the valve clearance on my motorcycle and ended up making it inoperable, or the fact that none of my sculptures ever really stood up long enough to make it to crit, or even just how wonky the stretchers were for all of the paintings that I ever made)(and I could go on...).
I've had 11 months on this house now, going over the same spots over and over again. I'm learning how to do specific things (eventually), and more interesting to me is that I'm learning how the building goes together. We are starting to have some experience.
Last month we experienced a leak emergency (which was stressful enough that I still get anxious when it rains; it'll take a while for that to pass). This seemingly-sudden leak problem was the culmination of years (decades?) of neglect, and was the the result of a few different unfixed problems chaining together -- the gutter not draining, the siding catching the water and a hole channeling the water into the wall. Leaks just like this have damaged the plaster on the interior walls, the siding on the exterior walls, and contributed to a termite and mold friendly environment. Non-action by previous (slumlord) owners have let these issues become much larger problems which are now struggling to fix.
Last August when we first started working on this house, we didn't know what the f*ck we were doing. We could tell that things were messed up, but all we could really see was effect. Now, though, we are starting to be able to identify and fix the causes; this feels like progress.
Posted by john m at July 8, 2004 11:03 AM
Comments
Experience is nice. But in the absence of experience...a combination or common sense, fearlessness, and dogged determination works pretty well too.
I find that I spend A LOT of time just standing in the middle of a room staring at a problem...processing the different approaches that I could take. If I'm not comfortable that I've reached a suitable approach, then I'll walk away and work on something else. Invariably, the solution will come when you least expect it.
Plus, it's invaluable to be able to share the "effects" that you find on this site. You'll likely get some good advice regarding the causes and solutions from folks out there who may have the experience that you lack. (Like the guy who e-mailed us to tell us that we had put our insulation in backwards...how embarrassing.)
You guys have taken on a tremendous undertaking and you should be proud of what you've accomplished! And proud of having the gumption to even try it in the first place.
Bill
(Can't wait to compare notes!)
Posted by: Bill at July 9, 2004 6:10 AM
john! You should definitely feel so proud and productive about your progress. Even figuring out what things are wrong in the house is such an amazing thing. A HUGE thing! GO YOU!
Posted by: jm at July 10, 2004 12:52 PM
Post a comment
|
|
