2018: The Year of House Hell
Donation protected
2018: The year the universe tried to destroy my sister's house and spirit.
My sister, Tamara, is one of the many folks in central PA whose lives have been derailed by last week’s ridiculous amount of rain. She needs some help everyone. Because she has been dealing with disaster since March.
Between all these house issues and our Paw Paw passing away in May, she has used up all her vacation time where she works and taking more time off means losing money. Which she needs now as her insurance is not helping with the costs. Pictures of the damages are below.
HOUSE DISASTER TIMELINE
Mid March
The house attached to hers catches on fire. Damage was limited to smoke and was resolved. Renovations on the other house have caused damage to her side of the house and are yet to be resolved. They were banging so hard during the demo on the other side, they knocked a piece of her bedroom wall out.
June
Heavy rains lead to a discovery of a leak in her roof. The leak was discovered as water trickled into 2nd floor bedroom through the ceiling fan. Concerned that the leak was caused by the fire damage next door, she had her insurance adjuster investigate it. Unfortunately, the leak is just from an old roof that needs to be replaced as it has been patched too many times. She was ordered to make repairs to keep her homeowner’s insurance. Replacement cost is $6,900. She has been shopping for loan options to cover the cost, but it really is not in her budget.
July
Heavy rains cause basement to flood. The sump pump kept up with it for 5 days then died causing 2-3 feet of water to accumulate in the basement within 2 hours. Her neighbor’s sump was not operational, so for 5 days her sump was pumping for 2 basements and it finally burnt out from the strain. She does not live in a flood zone (as is the case with many of her neighbors) so did not have flood insurance so none of her losses are covered.
*** COST BREAKDOWN UPDATE***
These are the most important repairs:
· Trane Furnace: (8 years old) … can be repaired!!! $700
· Water-Heater: (2 years old) … can be repaired!!! $500
· Roof: $6900
· Restoration cost from Berks Fire and Water: $ 1565.21 Paid for thanks to your donations so far!
· Basement Waterproofing by ITG Basement Systems: $7500-This will eliminate my need for flood insurance (or at least get me a better rate on a policy) and many other projects like moving my electric box, furnace and hot water heater to higher ground.
Total: $17165.21
These are less important but sad losses:
· Dehumidifier (70 gal) $170…is now a giant paperweight.
· Ryobi Drill, Flashlight and Jigsaw Set (Used) $50 on eBay
· Vacu-form Machine $100
· Small Shop Vac (purchased used @ $15)
· Power Drill (purchased used @$10)
· Circular Saw (purchased used @ $10)
· Black and Decker Workmate 400 Work bench (purchased used @ $20)
· Box Fan $15
· Oil Filled Space Heater $60
· Jewelry Making Supplies $100
· Multiple wooden shelving units ($200 materials best guess)
· Food lost from refrigerator ($300 best guest)
Total: $1050
Exact costs are currently unknown as more damage may be discovered as repairs commence. She is pursuing help from FEMA and appealing the decision of the insurance company. Currently her house is not livable as the power and gas is cut until further notice. She had to take her kitties to live with our Dad until the house is livable again. Being separated from her meows hurts.
Any help is appreciated. She will take donations of manpower to help repair her home. She will take donations of used tools help restore some of the crafting items lost. If you are not able to donate money but you can donate time and manpower, let me know and I will get you in contact with her.
Her goal is to be made whole again. Anything extra will go towards waterproofing her basement so that this never happens again. And YES, she is getting flood insurance once she finds a carrier she can afford.
This was her first house, and she has been working really hard to renovate it and make it her own since she moved in, mostly doing it herself because she is awesome. She really could use some help, fam. If you could spare a couple bucks, anything helps at this point since her insurance is not helping.
I would like to see her home with her kitties again as soon as possible.Thanks for your help!
My sister, Tamara, is one of the many folks in central PA whose lives have been derailed by last week’s ridiculous amount of rain. She needs some help everyone. Because she has been dealing with disaster since March.
Between all these house issues and our Paw Paw passing away in May, she has used up all her vacation time where she works and taking more time off means losing money. Which she needs now as her insurance is not helping with the costs. Pictures of the damages are below.
HOUSE DISASTER TIMELINE
Mid March
The house attached to hers catches on fire. Damage was limited to smoke and was resolved. Renovations on the other house have caused damage to her side of the house and are yet to be resolved. They were banging so hard during the demo on the other side, they knocked a piece of her bedroom wall out.
June
Heavy rains lead to a discovery of a leak in her roof. The leak was discovered as water trickled into 2nd floor bedroom through the ceiling fan. Concerned that the leak was caused by the fire damage next door, she had her insurance adjuster investigate it. Unfortunately, the leak is just from an old roof that needs to be replaced as it has been patched too many times. She was ordered to make repairs to keep her homeowner’s insurance. Replacement cost is $6,900. She has been shopping for loan options to cover the cost, but it really is not in her budget.
July
Heavy rains cause basement to flood. The sump pump kept up with it for 5 days then died causing 2-3 feet of water to accumulate in the basement within 2 hours. Her neighbor’s sump was not operational, so for 5 days her sump was pumping for 2 basements and it finally burnt out from the strain. She does not live in a flood zone (as is the case with many of her neighbors) so did not have flood insurance so none of her losses are covered.
*** COST BREAKDOWN UPDATE***
These are the most important repairs:
· Trane Furnace: (8 years old) … can be repaired!!! $700
· Water-Heater: (2 years old) … can be repaired!!! $500
· Roof: $6900
· Restoration cost from Berks Fire and Water: $ 1565.21 Paid for thanks to your donations so far!
· Basement Waterproofing by ITG Basement Systems: $7500-This will eliminate my need for flood insurance (or at least get me a better rate on a policy) and many other projects like moving my electric box, furnace and hot water heater to higher ground.
Total: $17165.21
These are less important but sad losses:
· Dehumidifier (70 gal) $170…is now a giant paperweight.
· Ryobi Drill, Flashlight and Jigsaw Set (Used) $50 on eBay
· Vacu-form Machine $100
· Small Shop Vac (purchased used @ $15)
· Power Drill (purchased used @$10)
· Circular Saw (purchased used @ $10)
· Black and Decker Workmate 400 Work bench (purchased used @ $20)
· Box Fan $15
· Oil Filled Space Heater $60
· Jewelry Making Supplies $100
· Multiple wooden shelving units ($200 materials best guess)
· Food lost from refrigerator ($300 best guest)
Total: $1050
Exact costs are currently unknown as more damage may be discovered as repairs commence. She is pursuing help from FEMA and appealing the decision of the insurance company. Currently her house is not livable as the power and gas is cut until further notice. She had to take her kitties to live with our Dad until the house is livable again. Being separated from her meows hurts.
Any help is appreciated. She will take donations of manpower to help repair her home. She will take donations of used tools help restore some of the crafting items lost. If you are not able to donate money but you can donate time and manpower, let me know and I will get you in contact with her.
Her goal is to be made whole again. Anything extra will go towards waterproofing her basement so that this never happens again. And YES, she is getting flood insurance once she finds a carrier she can afford.
This was her first house, and she has been working really hard to renovate it and make it her own since she moved in, mostly doing it herself because she is awesome. She really could use some help, fam. If you could spare a couple bucks, anything helps at this point since her insurance is not helping.
I would like to see her home with her kitties again as soon as possible.Thanks for your help!
Organizer and beneficiary
Vanessa Taydus
Organizer
Annville, PA
Tamara Heagy
Beneficiary