Sunday, August 28, 2011
Having a hurricane hit on a Saturday is super convenient. We were all together during the hurricane, and then you had Sunday to clean up. We were anxious to get outside, get a good look at everything, and clean up! I for one was extra spirited, happy that the storm was over, and even though we had some damage we were fine and could still live pretty comfortably.
The yard was covered in debris and most of our neighbors were outside cleaning up too. Some people were driving around slowly looking for damage. From the street the giant root ball was visible, but onlookers couldn't see the chimney and pile. I was relieved about that, I didn't need the whole neighborhood gawking! Neighbors came over to help with the limbs which we were so grateful for! Ted wanted to saw all of the limbs off our downed tree so that the adjuster could see everything easily and we'd get a more accurate estimate.
Ted was calling tree removal companies the day of the storm to get set up for estimates. Now we know this was unnecessary because people came around in pickup trucks and made offers. Opportunity was knocking why not? Ted went with a guy that I thought seemed shady, but he was ridiculously cheap and Ted didn't think it mattered because the tree was already laying flat so what damage could they do?! The guy removed the tree on Monday, and came back about 8 weeks later to grind the stump.
Ted sawed limbs all afternoon while I lugged them to the back of our property and raked leaves. We are very grateful to have a lot of wooded property to just dump leaves and limbs.
The part of the hurricane experience that makes me laugh/cry the most inside is that we just spent $450 for a chimney cap to be installed. It was installed July 7, and here it sits, crushed, 6 weeks later!
We also just spent a chunk of change on gutter guards and while there was some denting they didn't suffer so dramatically.
Monday, August 29
The Insurance adjuster came to day to look at the damages. He is a third party, hired by our insurance company. I didn't even think about needing to look inside the house, other than at our third floor exposed space. He looked around the mantle, and found mortar dust, and cracks. Indicating the whole structured had shifted and may not be sound.
This is a little more serious than I thought. He gave me a list of contractors that have a good relationship with our Insurance Company. He recommended getting a few estimates and submitting them for him to work up his final estimate. We called one on the list, they were very friendly and sent workmen over that afternoon to put a tarp over our gaping hole. Now two of our windows have zero view, but the tarp has held up for these three months hopefully preventing any further damage. We could get this work done, and the tree removed and stump ground up, but otherwise he advised us not to get any work done until the final adjustments are done, otherwise we would risk not getting reimbursed for the work.
Since I was off of work or should I say out of work at the time, I handled all of the home stuff which was a first for me. Normally Ted had the more flexible schedule to be available. The only part I did not enjoy was Ted's inquisitive, detailed nature always translates to him asking me questions that I don't have the answers to! He's been very patient this time, maybe I'm learning, or maybe he is ;)
Over the next three weeks we had 3 more estimates and then a whole lot of waiting...read on in the post titled The weeks and months after the storm.
Stay tuned for the follow up articles, we have learned so much from the process, and we're only halfway through.
Hurricane Irene: Before the Storm
Hurricane Irene: Hit! Saturday, August 27, 2011
The two days after the storm (This page)
The weeks and months after the storm (link coming soon!)
Surviving without climate control for three months (link coming soon!)
Let the demo begin
Having a hurricane hit on a Saturday is super convenient. We were all together during the hurricane, and then you had Sunday to clean up. We were anxious to get outside, get a good look at everything, and clean up! I for one was extra spirited, happy that the storm was over, and even though we had some damage we were fine and could still live pretty comfortably.
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| Here are the boys ready to work! |
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| On the bright side, we had a few less leaves to clean up in Fall. |
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| Just messy all over! |
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| Fortunately no damage here. |
Ted was calling tree removal companies the day of the storm to get set up for estimates. Now we know this was unnecessary because people came around in pickup trucks and made offers. Opportunity was knocking why not? Ted went with a guy that I thought seemed shady, but he was ridiculously cheap and Ted didn't think it mattered because the tree was already laying flat so what damage could they do?! The guy removed the tree on Monday, and came back about 8 weeks later to grind the stump.
Ted sawed limbs all afternoon while I lugged them to the back of our property and raked leaves. We are very grateful to have a lot of wooded property to just dump leaves and limbs.
 |
| Our new chimney cap, July 7. |
The part of the hurricane experience that makes me laugh/cry the most inside is that we just spent $450 for a chimney cap to be installed. It was installed July 7, and here it sits, crushed, 6 weeks later!
 |
| Our new chimney cap, August 28. |
Monday, August 29
The Insurance adjuster came to day to look at the damages. He is a third party, hired by our insurance company. I didn't even think about needing to look inside the house, other than at our third floor exposed space. He looked around the mantle, and found mortar dust, and cracks. Indicating the whole structured had shifted and may not be sound.
Over the next three weeks we had 3 more estimates and then a whole lot of waiting...read on in the post titled The weeks and months after the storm.
Stay tuned for the follow up articles, we have learned so much from the process, and we're only halfway through.
Hurricane Irene: Before the Storm
Hurricane Irene: Hit! Saturday, August 27, 2011
The two days after the storm (This page)
The weeks and months after the storm (link coming soon!)
Surviving without climate control for three months (link coming soon!)
Let the demo begin
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