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March 13, 2008
Basement Breakdown
I'm literaly frightened of my basement. I now only go down if something is wrong (though everything is wrong.) Last week broken boiler (plumbers proceeded to drop said boiler and spill gallons of water everywhere.) Today I went down to start cleaning, and as the clouded dirt filled the air as I swept the dirt floor, I heard a toilet flush upstairs and the slight spilling of liquid just a few feet from where I stood.
I know these sound like petty issues (they are, and are natural happenings for homeowners) but again these are only the things that have affected life above the basement. Full status includes: holes, loose wires, slanted collapsing ceilings and walls, pvc pipes(?!,) other pipes, etc...
We've hired people to "fix" the basement in the past (patching/plastering/foundation work/etc) and yet somehow I cant even tell there was EVER work done down there. Sure it's partially my fault/my mothers/and my grandmother fault. Too many people hiring half ass-ed workers, but even when I went for bigger names in the industry they still left their monkies here, and what I saw the guy I hired... twice?
I know this is often the case for basements, but I'm truly horrified when I step foot inside. My heart races. It feels and looks as if the ceiling could cave in at any moment. And man I haven't even thought about CODES, VOILATIONS, HUMAN SAFETY.eeek.
I'm assuming I need an overhaul rewiring, plumbing electrical, foundation, plaster... etc. who does this kind of work and who will do it right? I feel like I'm living on thin ice.
Comments
You can do it. Its like any other floor.
You need to get your arms around the issues.
First shed some light down there. Literally.
Get a pad and start making a list.
Contractors need a defined scope.
Posted by: chas at March 13, 2008 2:07 PM
Hey, cool model of the upper torso. Wanna sell it?
Posted by: johnife at March 13, 2008 2:10 PM
When I go into my basement, I turn the lights on and count to ten to let the animales all have time to hide before I descend. There is always at least one giant waterbug belly up.
I'd call a good contractor, tell him your concerns and prepare to pay up to have it done right. You might also find not everything needs to be fixed and many contractors will tell you how to do some bits yourself.
Posted by: guest at March 13, 2008 2:14 PM
guest:
I'm so glad I have never had water bug, or bug problems in the house... rats on the other hand are frequent visitors. yum. Ever since all the subway work started at Atlantic/Pacific we've been bombarded.
johnife:
I love my model torso, I don't know which of the previous tenants left it, but I'm glad they did. All the pieces come out, and it's like a puzzle to put back together. I admire your taste, but sorry, couldn't bare to part with it.
MrHancock
How did I know at least one person would call me a p*ssy? Oh well, one out a four ain't bad. This photo is actually a nice view, but you can come down and check it out if you want. I'll cook you a nice meal and you can eat it off the floor.
Hey if a broom, gloves, and f*ing lamp was all this thing needed I certainly wouldn't be wasting anyones time. And as far as living by code, were the last house on the block worried about that. Violate away house, I don't mind. I love old shit, and the dirt only builds character. It's when you start to not trust your house that I worry. Like the time the sidewalk vault collapsed to leave a 6x9 foot hole in front of my house for months, or the time I renovated my bathroom, and found I had been bathing on a clawfoot shower base (had been tiled into the floor, so I didn't even know it was there.) and when it was removed, it was clear that the only thing keeping me up was the wilting tile, and the cast iron tub balanced on the drain. All the support beams had rotted away.
Give a gal break would you?
Posted by: LilHouseNBklyn at March 13, 2008 2:52 PM
I would be happy to help you out. I'm busy on a job for the next couple months but I can stop by and see what needs to be done. You can contact me through my website under my user profile.
Posted by: Rick at March 13, 2008 4:55 PM
4:56:
That's a picture of my boyfriend, but thanks for the advice. I'll save up for the implant and then I'll fix my basement.
Sans the rubble most of the things that are down there isn't crap, sadly no where to put it in the house, but cleaning will happen no worries about that.
Posted by: LilHouseNBklyn at March 13, 2008 5:09 PM
It's disgusting, it's disheartening and it's inscrutible. But requires scrutiny as you already know. I'm still cleaning up my basement after six years.
I agree with the suggestions above: string some lights, put on some gloves, and clean the place up. Get a small dumpster if you need to. Otherwise, use heavy duty trash bags and only put six at the curb at a time, I think 30 pound max.
Then you can take a good look at what you've got, and the place won't be so frightening.
I've seen some 'raw' basements that would make a reasonable workshop or storage area. If you decide to store stuff down there, put your boxes up on something like skids or palettes in case of a flood.
Posted by: Hal at March 13, 2008 6:32 PM
Hey guys...
Spent the last 6 hours cleaning. It's great weight to have atleast made piles of all the large bulk and excess materials, boxed up the ex tenants crap, and consolidated the new guys stuff. I put up a light with a brightly colored shade and pretended I was in a "happy place" as I disposed of the dead. Though a great mental weight has been lifted, I do feel completely ill. Even with mask and gloves I feel slightly poisoned, ill. I'm gonna go eat something, but thanks for all the support guys. It was very motivating.
Posted by: LilHouseNBklyn at March 13, 2008 9:29 PM
Oh and I'll tell ya once I get cracking on the "list" of what's wrong. Yes, It's definitely less overwhelming not having sh*t everywhere, but it's still very apparent that the ceiling is falling apart, and the walls crumbling... but I can see the floor and walk from one end to the other. It's the little things.
Thanks again. :)
Posted by: LilHouseNBklyn at March 13, 2008 9:33 PM
i heart your torso 2
Posted by: neene at March 13, 2008 11:51 PM
my sister in law has the "Gut Man" toy for her kids and all the kids young and old love it. it's always a good picture when a baby puts a brain in their mouth. anyway, if anyone is interested in buying one:
http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/ShowItem.aspx?productID=7221
Posted by: guest at March 14, 2008 6:10 AM
hi
I am scared of my basement too. We ONLY go down a few times a year to turn on the boiler - or light pilot light again if it goes out and bleed the system of water!!!
from what I understand - it's a typical old basement. We too have rotting support wooden beams and I was told to replace them with steel ones. (ok will do once I get my tax rebate check - haha)
and while it's dusty, crumbly, and hot as hell - I beleive it's doing the job
like you said you did - give it a good cleaning - and maybe try to find someone to help
call eagle contractors in sunset park - I had him come in to look at my rotting beams and he was very helpful and reasonably priced!
Posted by: guest at March 14, 2008 9:28 AM
Your boyfriend is cute...
Posted by: guest at March 14, 2008 11:38 AM
damn straight. :)
Posted by: LilHouseNBklyn at March 15, 2008 9:32 AM
Just curious - why isn't your boyfriend rolling up his shirtsleeves and helping you out with this daunting task? Geez, he's got his hands in his pockets in the photo!
The torso is awesome.
Regarding the mask: You might consider a high quality mask that has replaceable cartridges. The surgical and dusk mask types do very little to protect your respiratory system; sounds like maybe that's what you've been using. Drink lots of water too.
Posted by: guest at March 15, 2008 7:00 PM
Oh dont worry, he was VERY helpful. That pic was done while the boiler was being replaced and there was no room for anyone to do anything except stand there. :)
Posted by: LilHouseNBklyn at March 17, 2008 5:15 PM
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