The clean up continues....

After one day in the house with just a few powerful fans running,  we realized we would need to stay in a hotel. Our insurance agent had asked me if we would be going to a hotel and at the time I told him I didn't think it was necessary.  Being the all knowing agent that he is,  he kindly asked me to call him if I changed my mind. I had no idea what was involved.
The A/C upstairs had to be disconnected and after all the fans and dehumidifiers were connected the heat inside was oppressive. The A/C downstairs ran non stop and couldn't get the temperature down below 85 degrees.  We were in the middle of our longest and hottest heatwave of the summer to add to the misery.  The crew from SERVPRO worked without complaint in our closed up garage and sweltering upstairs to get the demo done so we could start on the repair.

So off Don and I went to stay at ALOFT with Tori and Bailee.  Brian stayed at a place near his work.  Tori discovered the world outside the window while Bailee was always asking to go home, where she would be terrified of the fans for the first couple of hours of each day.  This was no vacation.

 

Back at the house work continued.  At the end of each day,  all was cleaned up and trash hauled away.
We were so happy to discover the walls in the living room and stairwell wouldn't have to be removed.  They were able to dry them out from the garage side.  The vanity remains as well.

Wood flooring

SERVPRO finished their portion of the clean up the following Thursday.  A final walk through, pictures taken and a final sweep of the floors and they were gone.  The pod remains in the driveway with the contents of the upstairs until repairs are completed.
We hired Williams Services recommended by our next door neighbors, Marie and Les, to complete the contruction work.  Jim doesn't seem the least bit phased by any of the work to be done. Coming soon....insulation, drywall and paint.

What water can do....

I came home last week from running some errands and discovered water running out from under the garage door.  Didn't even think about where the water was coming from.  My first thought was the dogs, where were they and were they terrified of all the water that must be in the house.  As the garage door was finally finishing it's ascent,  I realized there was water pouring from the garage ceiling.  It was a crazy downpour in my garage.  I just kept moving forward to get to the dogs which I was sure were in terrified distress.  Pushing the door open and stepping inside....all was quiet.  The dogs just looking at me...the door slowly closing behind me, click.  No water.  Just unperturbed dogs.  Unperturbed until I took off running to get upstairs.  NOW we were all upset.  When I reached the stairs I could finally hear the water.   Halfway through the upstairs hallway I was splashing through saturated carpet, made it to the bathroom and waded through a couple of inches of standing water to the source of our problem. 

This piece had split at the toilet tank and water was shooting out of it against the back wall.  I can only guess at how long it was broken.  I turned the water off at the valve and all was quiet again.  Except dripping and Bailee.  I could hear her chirping downstairs.


 

So at this part of my story I'd like everyone to go check your connections on your toilet tanks.




I immediately called Don, Brian and my insurance company.  The gal from insurance let me know we were covered for these damages.  While waiting for Don and Brian to get home I called my mother.  Don't we always need our moms in times of craziness?  I know I do.
The following day my insurance company called and gave me two clean up and restoration companies to contact.  I am so glad I called the first one.  I called  SERVPRO of Fontana and spoke to Daniel.  He calmly told me he would gather a crew together and be at the property within the hour. The crew arrived as promised, assessed the damage and got to work.  We have not had to lift a finger and I have no worries about any of our belongings while they are here.  All of the bedrooms and the garage have been packed up and stored in a Pod on the driveway for the duration.  The fans and dehumidifiers are running non-stop.  The insurance adjuster has been here and advised me not to plan any parties and if I already had planned one, to move it elsewhere because this is a big job and will take quite some time to finish.

In the garage about 45 minutes after I had turned off the water

There was a puddle of water where the fan to the left is sitting

All of this drywall will have to come out

You can probably imagine how loud and hot it is in the house with all these running

Using the living room as storage too

Vanity may have to come out

Drying under the vanity

One side of the garage drywall removed...

The end of summer in August

The end of summer comes early for the school districts where I live...the kids go back to school the beginning of August and that means the end of our weekly long coffee days with friends.  It's back to catching up for an hour or two on Tuesdays as we rush headlong towards the holidays. 


We ended our summer meetings with a nostalgia themed table.  I used many of my grandmother's tag sale finds and the girls brought some of their cherished pieces as well.  We also shared some family recipes and great photographs of days gone by. 

Kim brought these beautiful pink and white napkins and a delicious spice cake

 

A cheese keeper my grandmother gave me-a favorite

Salt and Pepper shakers from my grandmother

Great photos from Kim

The white milk glass cookie jar belonged to Andrea's mother and more great photos. 

Recipe cards for the family dishes we made

Always need roses

Andrea brought chocolate chip cookies

Gorgeous Hydrangeas this year

My grandmother's Wedgewood

This potato salad was delicious

My mother-in-law always made this and I can still see her standing at the counter preparing it

Bruschetta made from my garden tomatoes and basil.  Karen's Texas cake above...so moist and full of flavor

Wonderful