The joys of the hundred-year-old home
It’s raining inside my studio.
Melting snow from the roof appears to be dripping through the ancient rotting window frame and onto the floor. It must have dripped like that all day while I was at my client’s office, ran through the floor and through the plaster ceiling and wall in the dining room, as well as another rotting window frame in there. Oh yeah. And onto the floor and a piece of art that doesn’t belong to us. (No, Lawrence, not your painting. That’s safe and dry in the living room.) We knew all along we’d need to replace the windows, but we’d been hoping to put off that major expense for a while, since we just came through the major expenses of rewiring the whole house and replacing a plaster ceiling and replacing the furnace chimney lining.
We’re somehow out of duct tape. I know. No homeowner should ever let themselves run out of duct tape. I had to use clear packing tape and that pathetic blue painter’s tape to attach plastic dropclothes to the windows to catch the water, but the tape isn’t holding as it gets wet. Billy is right now buying the appropriate emergency supplies–duct tape, another plastic dropcloth, and frozen yogurt.
Me? Now that I’ve done all I can do tonight (No, I’m not going up on the roof in the dark with a foot of snow up there) I’m just sitting here, panicking ever so slightly at the thought of what this is going to cost. No yarn or books or paintings got wet, but a box of papers did. I’m afraid to look and see what’s inside, because I’m sure whatever it is is totally ruined. And I’m not even thinking about my beloved hardwood floors just yet.
If you’re looking for me, I’ll be that girl huddled in the corner cracking open another diet Dr Brown’s Black Cherry and weeping quietly, wondering how much blood you have to sell to raise the money for new windows.
Snow, scmow. Your house has CHARACTER! That is what counts. Besides, plastic dropclothes only lend more charater. And think about all the great stories you’ll have to laugh about next year, when there might be more snow. Ha ha, sob, ha ha.
Posted by: else
Awww, I hope whatever papers got wet weren’t ruined too badly. Maybe they were old bills or something evil.
Posted by: Jackie
Oh, I feel your pain, Cari! A foot of snow on the roof is not good, though. But it’s so dangerous to get up there. Wish I had a suggestion for you. I’ll just weep with you in spirit. Sorry, not much comfort.
Posted by: Norma
Windows are spendy, particularly if you’re looking for replica windows instead of standard, modern windows. They look a lot better than aluminum though.
Posted by: TheBon
Ouch. I’m so sorry.
Posted by: valentina
Sorry to hear about the papers…maybe you could iron them dry if they’re important.
Posted by: Nina
Our outside drain just froze up and now the 3rd floor has a leak in the living room. So I feel ya pain.
Posted by: Lawrence Quigley
Ouch. Damn. The Blizzard of ’05 won’t be a pleasant memory, will it?
Posted by: claudia
Oh, I feel your pain! Our house is only 50 years old–a young thing!–and we’ve had to do the roof and the windows. It was painful, but eventually worth it. I love the new windows compared to the old. Good luck. 🙂
Posted by: Sharlene
Oh, no… God…
Posted by: Andrea M.
Snow, scmow. Your house has CHARACTER! That is what counts. Besides, plastic dropclothes only lend more charater. And think about all the great stories you’ll have to laugh about next year, when there might be more snow. Ha ha, sob, ha ha.
Posted by: else
Awww, I hope whatever papers got wet weren’t ruined too badly. Maybe they were old bills or something evil.
Posted by: Jackie
Oh, I feel your pain, Cari! A foot of snow on the roof is not good, though. But it’s so dangerous to get up there. Wish I had a suggestion for you. I’ll just weep with you in spirit. Sorry, not much comfort.
Posted by: Norma
Windows are spendy, particularly if you’re looking for replica windows instead of standard, modern windows. They look a lot better than aluminum though.
Posted by: TheBon
Ouch. I’m so sorry.
Posted by: valentina
Sorry to hear about the papers…maybe you could iron them dry if they’re important.
Posted by: Nina
Our outside drain just froze up and now the 3rd floor has a leak in the living room. So I feel ya pain.
Posted by: Lawrence Quigley
Ouch. Damn. The Blizzard of ’05 won’t be a pleasant memory, will it?
Posted by: claudia
Oh, I feel your pain! Our house is only 50 years old–a young thing!–and we’ve had to do the roof and the windows. It was painful, but eventually worth it. I love the new windows compared to the old. Good luck. 🙂
Posted by: Sharlene
Oh, no… God…
Posted by: Andrea M.
Before you replace the windows, check to make sure the real problem isn’t ice damming… which is a very good possibility, and a lot cheaper to deal with. (Although a pain in the butt… it involves ice dam cables, and making sure snow doesn’t build up on the eaves.)
Posted by: Andrea
Yes, the leaking roof/walls thing sucks. I had a bout of it before the end of the year. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that everything will work out. It really all does, in the long run, even if it seems bleak in the short term view. I promise.
Posted by: Cassie
Oh, no! I’m so sorry to hear about your water troubles.
Isn’t it amazing how things which cost us so much to get (houses, cars, etc.) can just keep finding more and more ways to drain our piggy banks?
Posted by: Leisel
Oh honey, I’m so sorry.
Get that art to a conservator. It’s amazing what can be done. If I lived anywhere nearby, I’d come and help you restore your floors.
Posted by: marie
Don’t worry too much about your hardwood floors. We had water leaking out of the shower and under the tiles and seeping in under “le parquet” for years. The bathroom was finally redone and the floor is fine. It just needs a little sanding and refinishing (which is good – it doesn’t need replacing).
Posted by: kate
oh no,here’s hoping its not as expensive as it looks to you! got fingers crossed. take care.
Posted by: froggy
I’m so sorry! We had a similar problem in our 100 year old house…Bizzard of ’05 kiss my ass!
Posted by: melanie
We had to replace the windows almost as soon as we moved in, after one of them fell in during a massive windstorm. We had duct tape but no dropcloths – I think I improvised using Hefty bags. Maybe you could fix them one at a time to spread out the expense a little?
Try not to worry too much about the hardwood. Floors are pretty tough – – you’d be surprised how much water they can handle.
Uh, maybe you’d rather not think about that just now.
Posted by: mindy
Here’s hoping you 1) have a flat roof 2) have an aperture at edge of roof for a drain pipe to pass through and 3) “all” that’s happened is a flaw in the watertight quality of that pass-through/connection spot. A similar condition is dampening some interior wood in our new house.
Maybe after you’ve got all this cleared up, you should get a boat. Those are fun, too.
Posted by: Sutton
Oh sweetie, I am so, so sorry.
Posted by: Em
Before you replace the windows, check to make sure the real problem isn’t ice damming… which is a very good possibility, and a lot cheaper to deal with. (Although a pain in the butt… it involves ice dam cables, and making sure snow doesn’t build up on the eaves.)
Posted by: Andrea
Yes, the leaking roof/walls thing sucks. I had a bout of it before the end of the year. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that everything will work out. It really all does, in the long run, even if it seems bleak in the short term view. I promise.
Posted by: Cassie
Oh, no! I’m so sorry to hear about your water troubles.
Isn’t it amazing how things which cost us so much to get (houses, cars, etc.) can just keep finding more and more ways to drain our piggy banks?
Posted by: Leisel
Oh honey, I’m so sorry.
Get that art to a conservator. It’s amazing what can be done. If I lived anywhere nearby, I’d come and help you restore your floors.
Posted by: marie
Don’t worry too much about your hardwood floors. We had water leaking out of the shower and under the tiles and seeping in under “le parquet” for years. The bathroom was finally redone and the floor is fine. It just needs a little sanding and refinishing (which is good – it doesn’t need replacing).
Posted by: kate
oh no,here’s hoping its not as expensive as it looks to you! got fingers crossed. take care.
Posted by: froggy
I’m so sorry! We had a similar problem in our 100 year old house…Bizzard of ’05 kiss my ass!
Posted by: melanie
We had to replace the windows almost as soon as we moved in, after one of them fell in during a massive windstorm. We had duct tape but no dropcloths – I think I improvised using Hefty bags. Maybe you could fix them one at a time to spread out the expense a little?
Try not to worry too much about the hardwood. Floors are pretty tough – – you’d be surprised how much water they can handle.
Uh, maybe you’d rather not think about that just now.
Posted by: mindy
Here’s hoping you 1) have a flat roof 2) have an aperture at edge of roof for a drain pipe to pass through and 3) “all” that’s happened is a flaw in the watertight quality of that pass-through/connection spot. A similar condition is dampening some interior wood in our new house.
Maybe after you’ve got all this cleared up, you should get a boat. Those are fun, too.
Posted by: Sutton
Oh sweetie, I am so, so sorry.
Posted by: Em
After years of drafts, rotting and leaks, (amazingly, none *too* damaging) my parents finally replaced all their windows, and got some beautiful (yet functional) stained glass to replace the fixed stained glass window in the stairwell that had denied us a cross breeze for years.
I agree with the idea of replacing the real trouble ones first, then working from there, unless you can get a really good deal on all of them at once..
Glad no yarn or artwork got ruined, that would be the real tragedy. And hopefully, the box of papers is ok.
Good thoughts in your direction!
Posted by: Amber
Argh. I was just having that coating re-done on the roof, and they found a rotted windowsill. It stung, especially since it was only a decade old in my 80-yr-old house, but I’m glad I managed to get it replaced before this weekend’s ice deluge. Hang in there, and let us know if we need to have a bake sale, or a scarf sale . . .
Posted by: maggi
Cari – I feel your pain – Our 80-year-old house has had its share of problems. It seems as if the place is set to self-destruct ever since the little lady who lived there her whole life sold it and moved out. Every time there is a storm or whenever I hear an odd noise, I start to panic and wonder how much Kraft Dinner a person can eat without getting scurvy.
I wish for you duct tape that holds fast, a basement that stays dry, wood that resists rot, water damage and insects and enough comfort food to bring you through the worst!
Posted by: Stephanie VW
I really feel your pain. My house is a little over 100 years old and i’ve had to replace a bunch of windows and the roof. I think it’s always going to be a work-in-progress, but I just take it slowly and prioritize the repairs. Marvin windows are really good quality and not horribly expensive (relative to many other windows). As to the floors, you’ll be amazed at how much hardwood floors can endure, so they’re probably not going to suffer any lasting damage.
Hang in there! I’ll be thinking of you.
Posted by: Regina
ACCCCKKKK! This too shall past. This is building character for both you and the house. Unfortunately I don’t think either are lacking in that department.
Keep us up to date! Here’s to diet Dr. Brown’s Black Cherry for keeping one sane.
Posted by: Rebecca
Yuck! What a hassle for my two cutest cousins. I hope this doesn’t put too big a dent in the cozy vibe exuding from your home sweet home.
I have to say that if this happened to me, I’d be working on full-fat ice cream. Here’s to your sense of reason even in time of crisis.
Posted by: sarah g.
Oh, no! A thousand kisses that will hopefully change to dollars on the flight over….
Posted by: Rachael
hey cari,
thinking of you. ugh. at least no yarn, books, or paintings were destroyed. you’ll get new windows out of it–sooner than later!
Posted by: kaarin
Sorry about your house – that’s horrible! Love your babies (dogs). My baby is a rescue too and I love her dearly.
Posted by: Yolanda
“let us know if we need to have a bake sale, or a scarf sale . . .”
I agree. What more could we do for the woman who brought us ‘Thirteen Ways of Looking at Clapotis’?
Posted by: Nina
After years of drafts, rotting and leaks, (amazingly, none *too* damaging) my parents finally replaced all their windows, and got some beautiful (yet functional) stained glass to replace the fixed stained glass window in the stairwell that had denied us a cross breeze for years.
I agree with the idea of replacing the real trouble ones first, then working from there, unless you can get a really good deal on all of them at once..
Glad no yarn or artwork got ruined, that would be the real tragedy. And hopefully, the box of papers is ok.
Good thoughts in your direction!
Posted by: Amber
Argh. I was just having that coating re-done on the roof, and they found a rotted windowsill. It stung, especially since it was only a decade old in my 80-yr-old house, but I’m glad I managed to get it replaced before this weekend’s ice deluge. Hang in there, and let us know if we need to have a bake sale, or a scarf sale . . .
Posted by: maggi
Cari – I feel your pain – Our 80-year-old house has had its share of problems. It seems as if the place is set to self-destruct ever since the little lady who lived there her whole life sold it and moved out. Every time there is a storm or whenever I hear an odd noise, I start to panic and wonder how much Kraft Dinner a person can eat without getting scurvy.
I wish for you duct tape that holds fast, a basement that stays dry, wood that resists rot, water damage and insects and enough comfort food to bring you through the worst!
Posted by: Stephanie VW
I really feel your pain. My house is a little over 100 years old and i’ve had to replace a bunch of windows and the roof. I think it’s always going to be a work-in-progress, but I just take it slowly and prioritize the repairs. Marvin windows are really good quality and not horribly expensive (relative to many other windows). As to the floors, you’ll be amazed at how much hardwood floors can endure, so they’re probably not going to suffer any lasting damage.
Hang in there! I’ll be thinking of you.
Posted by: Regina
ACCCCKKKK! This too shall past. This is building character for both you and the house. Unfortunately I don’t think either are lacking in that department.
Keep us up to date! Here’s to diet Dr. Brown’s Black Cherry for keeping one sane.
Posted by: Rebecca
Yuck! What a hassle for my two cutest cousins. I hope this doesn’t put too big a dent in the cozy vibe exuding from your home sweet home.
I have to say that if this happened to me, I’d be working on full-fat ice cream. Here’s to your sense of reason even in time of crisis.
Posted by: sarah g.
Oh, no! A thousand kisses that will hopefully change to dollars on the flight over….
Posted by: Rachael
hey cari,
thinking of you. ugh. at least no yarn, books, or paintings were destroyed. you’ll get new windows out of it–sooner than later!
Posted by: kaarin
Sorry about your house – that’s horrible! Love your babies (dogs). My baby is a rescue too and I love her dearly.
Posted by: Yolanda
“let us know if we need to have a bake sale, or a scarf sale . . .”
I agree. What more could we do for the woman who brought us ‘Thirteen Ways of Looking at Clapotis’?
Posted by: Nina
oh dear. thats about all i can say. 🙁
our 100 year old windows so far only leak cold air.
duct tape, frozen yogurt and dr. brown’s…should be in everyone’s home 🙂
Posted by: rebecca
oh NO!! Well, that settles it: get packing, missy. You’re coming to stay with ME.
Posted by: alison
Oh oh. It’s been days..are you still in Homeowner Hell? Jezzz…so sorry. I am sending you and Billy good juju (or just jujubees?)
Posted by: Juliette
oh dear. thats about all i can say. 🙁
our 100 year old windows so far only leak cold air.
duct tape, frozen yogurt and dr. brown’s…should be in everyone’s home 🙂
Posted by: rebecca
oh NO!! Well, that settles it: get packing, missy. You’re coming to stay with ME.
Posted by: alison
Oh oh. It’s been days..are you still in Homeowner Hell? Jezzz…so sorry. I am sending you and Billy good juju (or just jujubees?)
Posted by: Juliette