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Post by Chris on Jul 22, 2008 15:55:08 GMT -5
Today I had to go up into our attic to close the blinds in preparation for the storm (Dolly). I had not been up there in a long long time. DH has been slowly bringing down boxes for me to go thru them and throw away old stuff - shred papers etc. So I was under the impression that is was looking better than the last time I was up there. First let me say that to get up there you have to drop down a step thingy and once you're up there you have to crouch to walk - you can't stand up straight. Well, I was shocked. There is "less" overall in terms of boxes but it looks like thieves have been loose up there looking for valuables. There is mess strewn all over. Papers, junk, even high heel shoes belonging to my 88 year old motherinlaw who has never been up there. I just can't describe the mess. I can't believe it. I guess DH must have had stuff he was looking for and he just let everything fall where it might in the process. Some of the stuff I am responsible for -- not much. But of course safety wise it is my business that there not a fire hazard up there and right now with all those boxes - it's not safe. Even with the vents it makes me nervous. This is South Texas so the heat up there is unbearable except early early in the morning or during the winter. So the process that I envision of bringing the rest of the stuff down is depressing. The time and effort it is going to take. DH is probably going back to work part time soon and I will be here to do it. Oh my gosh I just didn't know it was that bad. There is no other area in our home or garage or closets that is that squalorous.  If I can get it to load I will post one picture. I guess on my TO DO list is going to be buying some strap on knee pads because I will be having to go up there to lower stuff down starting like NOW. I wish I could say this is the worst of it but this is just one view - I feel like I will need a crew of workers to handle this......but I would like to get all that cardboard (boxes) out of there to make it safer.  What looks like stones in the foreground are the stones that covered the roof when it was flat. Back in 91 the roofers didn't take all the old roof off they just scraped and removed what was necessary to secure the new pitched roof joists ( ) and tie downs. |
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Post by merrymaid on Jul 22, 2008 16:48:28 GMT -5
Hey Chris,
You can do it! One good thing about loose things like I see in this picture, is you can pick it up quickly and then the whole room looks better. Get some heavy black bags for construction. It's okay to toss stuff out... it's been up there for years, you don't need it, your 88 year old grandma doesn't need those shoes! Or does she. I don't mean to sound bossy... but you can do it.
I challenge you to get a bag and go up there in the morning (providing the storm doesn't prevent it,) and just pick up all that is trash off this section of floor for just 10 minutes and post a picture after the 10 minutes... I bet you will be amazed at the results.
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Post by Chris on Jul 22, 2008 16:53:49 GMT -5
I dragged down one whole box of stuff today -- I found a loose box and I filled it with crap as I crouched my way back from one side to the other to go back down the ladder. That is what I'm going to have to do daily. My motherinlaw is staying in the room that the attic access is in but I think I can get up there once she's up and about -- at least enough to bring down one black trash bag of stuff per day. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
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Post by pegasus48 on Jul 22, 2008 20:53:17 GMT -5
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Post by skitter on Jul 22, 2008 21:01:54 GMT -5
Hi Chris,
Do you have any kind of low stool with wheels on it, something you could scoot around on sitting down? You might be more comfortable that way. I added wheels to the top of an old end table as a scooter in my crawl space.
Great work! Now that you know it's there, you can deal with it. You'll know what's up there. One more dark shady area meets the sunlight!
Cheers, skitter
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Post by Chris on Jul 22, 2008 21:15:22 GMT -5
Skitter,
I'm so glad you mentioned this, I do have one of those triangle shaped things that I think mechanics use -- it's out in the garage and it has wheels on it, I think that would really work, I just need to clean it and take it up there -- I can keep it there. I don't know why -- but I had not thought of that.
Thanks so much!
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Post by BDG on Jul 23, 2008 1:46:36 GMT -5
I think I would wait until the coolest part of the year to do this, since no one is going to see it and it is not causing any danger right now. As hot as it is up there I think it is dangerous for you to be spending much time at all up there. Your safety and health comes first.
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Post by messymimi on Jul 23, 2008 17:53:30 GMT -5
Hi Chris,  on getting up there! Pegasus is right, a bag a day and it will all get done. Attics can be especially awful, I know. I once cleaned the attic in July(silly, I know, but I was desperate to get the attic fan working). messymimi |
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Post by Chris on Jul 24, 2008 11:47:01 GMT -5
I went up there today and brought down one trash bag full to throw out. It was too hot up there even though it's 84 and overcast (due to the storm). So for sure no more than just one bag at a time and I may have to wait until cooler weather. I was so sweaty right down thru all my clothing it felt yucky. But I did take up the wheeled mechanic triangle thing, that helped a lot to scoot around on. I'm thinking it's going to have to be *THE* project of the winter. On rainy days between now and then I might could go up first thing and just fill a bag or throw a box of rubble down to throw out. Unfortunately a lot of the trash is way in -- I like working right near the stairs. I do have a fan I can take up there but the windows will have to be opened up. It can wait. But I will sure be wanting to get it done soon.
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Post by Carrie on Jul 24, 2008 12:41:47 GMT -5
Chris, I'm actually envious that you can work in your attic, of all places! My attic is a problem too, but it is so far off the radar screen for me right now! (I need to get to the point where I could have someone enter my living room and kitchen and not be mortified!) But .......... I know that everyone's struggles are relative. What might be a problem I WISH I could deal with is a major effort for you right now!!! You'll be so happy when the attic is at least at the level of the rest of your house, I know. You're off to a very good start, keep at it!! Can't wait to see the "after" pics!
Carrie
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Post by BDG on Jul 24, 2008 13:14:11 GMT -5
Why is everyone cheering her on when it is dangerous in the kind of heat we are having and especially where she lives, Texas, I think?
Cleaning is one thing, but risking your health in an area that is not even being used and can wait until cooler times comes is not good.
Seriously folks think, what you are encouraging her to do is not good. She could actually pass out from the heat up there and by the time anyone found her she could be dead. The attic can wait until the weather cools down.
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Post by Chris on Jul 24, 2008 13:28:07 GMT -5
BDG - It's ok I would seriously never take any risks heat wise, I would never go up there when it's too hot (like after 10 am) or work for longer than 15 minutes at a time -- also I make sure someone else is home.
I think the reason I want to get some stuff cleared out is I have always been afraid of a fire.
But, I do take heat seriously and would never take any chances. It was about 84 and overcast here today thats the only reason I did a little bit.
There are a lot of cardboard boxes and papers up there.
I do think that primarily the work up there will have to wait until winter -- here in Texas there is no real "cool" period of time we have to take advantage of every rainy or cloudy day!!!
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Post by BDG on Jul 25, 2008 2:51:12 GMT -5
Good I could not help but worry, I didn't mean to be so abrupt and apologize to the other posters for that , but I can only imagine how hot it is in the attic this time of the year.
I live in what is an upside down house, living areas on second floor, steps in the middle of the house, and there is about a 15 degree difference here on the second floor, I am sure the attic would practicially melt a person in a few seconds here at my house, and I know it is hotter where you are.
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