Buffalo Basics

Work Day at Eaton St

2011-06-20T22:54:00.000-04:00

When my Granddad was not well a couple of weeks ago, I rushed to see him after working on a demolition crew all day...I was COVERED with soot from head to toe. Everyone was cracking jokes about my appearance, etc. but Caroline my 3 year old cousin walked into the room, took one look at my soot covered face and dirt stained clothes and her eyes lit up as she yelled, "Princess Girl Fighter!" Apparently she had told her mother that this is what she wants to be when she grows up, and so she carries around plastic tools in her toolbelt while wearing a sparkly princess dress!

I told some of my friends in Buffalo this story about Princess Girl Fighters...and they LOVED it. So in honor of a the EastSide HouseWorks work day I was having at my house this Saturday, my friends made some rad t-shirts! A huge thank you to all who came out...we fixed some windows, tore off a porch roof, sanded and re-mudded a bathroom, broke up some failed concrete radiator experiments, and SO much more. Couldn't have done it without awesome helping hands. If you live on the EastSide and are interested in becoming part of EastSide HouseWorks, please contact me ASAP so we can get you involved!

Mother's Day Bake!

2011-05-09T11:41:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was the first F+D baking day of the season in the oven in my backyard...and a mother's day bake at that! Everyone brought their mothers, enjoyed pizza and lounged in the backyard on such a glorious spring day. We made F+D's famous cinnamon raisin bread as everyone shared embarrassing mother-offspring stories and had a wonderful time. It was a great start to the baking season, and while F+D has moved on to a commercial kitchen and now sell at the Clinton-Bailey Market (congrats, you guys!), I hope they continue to utilize the earthen oven for community baking events for many seasons to come! Their breadshare season is coming up, so to learn more about the 12-week share and to get their contact info, check them out at: http://fancyanddelicious.blogspot.com/

Speaking of earthen ovens, there is a earthen oven replastering workshop at my house set for this Thursday, from 5:30-8pm. We will talk about various plaster concoctions, the pros/cons of each, and then we will re-plaster the oven (weather permitting). Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend!

Whew, lots of cool stuff going on these days...hard to keep up! I know I have to keep checking the barn raisers calendar to remind me of all the things I'm signed up for. Ha! Have you heard of it? Check it out here: http://www.buffalobarnraisers.com/

Work Holiday at SolRise Farm

2011-05-08T00:36:00.000-04:00

Today was the second work holiday hosted on the east side, at Josh and Emily's place, Solrise Farm! There were many enthusiastic workers there from morning until late afternoon/early evening, ready to rip out old basement windows, cut through sides of buildings and piece together "bottle bricks" for the new glass block/glass bottle windows.

Amanda headed up the demo crew in the front of the house in the AM, removing the existing door and prepping for the afternoon crew to come in and re-frame the walls and door entrance. Major planting progress was acheived...strawberries, raspberries...mmm! Marisa, Emily and a bunch of other folks rose to the occasion as they learned how to build with "bottle bricks," a trick I learned out west while working with the Earthship folks. And the windows look GREAT! (stay tuned for a description on how to make "bottle bricks")

Once again, lunch was a success...yummy salad and baked ziti. New people joined our crew of east side diyers, and we are glad to have them. Next on the list...Gloria's house. Stay tuned for siding, fencing and/or window replacement in 2 weeks!

East Side DIYers

2011-04-17T19:14:00.004-04:00

There are no official workshops being held at my house in the near future, but I would like to announce a great way for east siders to fix up their homes, DIY style. From now on, this blog will primarily update on the progress of this group of east side DIYers, with the occasional announcement regarding continued work/bread workshops and neighborhood gatherings at 153 Eaton.

The idea behind the east side DIYers is that many hands make light work. A group of people lend a hand to their neighbor on a specific day with the expectation that a few weeks or a months down the road, it will be their turn to receive help from their neighbors. Today was the first of many future DIY parties, and it was a total success!

Creighton's house was the first guinea pig...at 10 this morning he had me grouting bathroom tiles, Gloria building a wall and some other folks drywalling and painting! A big hearty lunch was had by all (thanks Kiana!). Next up...Josh and Emily's house!
If you are interested in becoming involved in this work trade group and live on the east side, please email me at buffalobasics@gmail.com

For those leaky toilets out there...

2010-11-14T00:01:00.003-05:00

Announcing: there is an official date for the workshop in December!
If no other requests for workshops are received (you still have time to submit a request by the way), the workshop will be on plumbing basics.

We will talk about the various ways to construct, alter and repair plumbing systems, and there will be a discussion on the pros and cons of copper, pex and aquatherm as plumbing materials. The workshop will be very hands-on, so expect to learn how to solder, how to repair broken water lines, etc.

Workshop details:

December 22nd, 5pm-6pm
153 Eaton St.

Free, open to all. Bring a jacket since it can be a little chilly that time of year! Hot cocoa will be served since that is my favorite winter drink (tea is also an option...). Hope to see you there!

Megan

Resuming workshops (fingers crossed!)

2010-11-01T23:15:00.004-04:00

Haven't reported in a while, but there is some good news in the works: free home repair workshops are likely to resume at the house, albeit in a limited capacity. There are no scheduled dates as of yet, but look for a workshop happening in mid to late December, the week before Christmas. Also, the subject of the workshop is not decided, so if anyone is looking to gain home repair skills in a specific field, please email buffalobasics@gmail.com with requests for workshops. The deadline for requests is December 12th.

As always, you are welcome to stop by the house to talk to Pat and Brendan about future workshops or for tips in home repair, and you can chat with Maura about baking on Thursdays and Fridays. Happy Halloween everyone, and hope to see you soon at a workshop!

Megan

Finishing wood...cuckoo for coconut oil?

2010-11-01T22:54:00.001-04:00

First post since settling in at Yestermorrow (in Vermont) for six months...

Lately, I am into learning about different treatments for wood, especially for wood that will be used in eating, such as cutting boards and spoons. I have learned that once again, it is simply a matter of common sense; if I would not eat the oil, I should not put it on the wood I will be eating off of. Seems self-explanatory, no?

Then again, susceptibility to rancidity must be taken into account. For example, I should not treat wood with olive oil since it is much more susceptible to rancidity than say walnut oil or almond oil. …but walnut oil is not extremely common, is it? I opted for coconut oil…I read it is a good way to treat wood due to its low rancidity…we’ll see how it works out. Secondly, something I did not even realize, which may be an extremely important topic to consider if giving wood gifts as a present, is allergies. If someone is allergic to walnuts, don’t treat the wood with walnut oil. Same with coconut. Makes sense, but if you are not allergic to any foods, it is not something that would immediately come to mind in choosing finishes.

Moving out and moving in

2010-07-20T17:55:00.000-04:00

So I'm off on my 3 month journey around the country, but replacing me at the house will be Pat and Brendan...two awesome guys who will be continuing work on the house! They're open to learning and willing to share any of their own knowledge, so if you're interested in learning a bit more about their ideas (think living walls, woodburning stoves, etc) or have a question about home repair, stop by and say hello!

Wish Maura a fun trip (she's finally taking a vacation!) as the bread for this season is over. Don't fret though! Its all starting up again come September. Look on her blog for details on upcoming baking workshops, and please contact her if you'd like to help in the baking coop.

Until next time,
Megan

Coughing and wheezing be gone!

2010-06-25T01:59:00.000-04:00

Have you ever had the experience of going to the paint store, picking out your favorite color of paint JUST for this one room and (knowing it will match perfectly and all the people in the paint store are envious of your dream room with its dream color) getting home and popping off the lid only to be greeted with a fit of nausea from the toxic smell?

Maybe not, but think hard about the contents of paint...why do you have to dispose of oil paints in a special way? Why does it smell so terrible?? You think there must be something not natural in the mixture, you say? Hey, we must be twins because you just thought the same thought that I did only days ago! Instead of choosing to suck it up and stomach the fumes, I experimented with natural paint recipes with ingredients I could count on one hand and pronounce! The first (and only) that I tried is casein paint. Basically all you do is leave milk in the sun to curdle, combine it with some clay, water and lime (not the fruit) and voila! Oh, and add some pigment if you don't want the whole house to be a brown color. Maura and I were really afraid of the results, thinking it would smell of spoiled milk and stay the odd puke-yellow that it started out as...but no need to worry, there is NO smell and the puke yellow turned to a beautiful/bright earthy yellow! I experimented with my own ratios, but I generally followed the recipe at Mother Earth News.

Casein Paint with Lime (Yields about 1 quart)

1 gallon nonfat milk
2 1/2 ounces “Type S” lime (dry powder available at hardware stores)
2 1/2 cups water
Natural earth pigment (more or less depending on desired color)
6 cups filler (usually whiting, I used clay because it's free)

Countertops and Orange Sinks

2010-06-20T10:34:00.000-04:00

Because the kitchen is a priority for Maura to be able to teach baking workshops in during stormy weather, we have been working on finishing the cabinets and countertops. Speaking of workshops, the baking workshop on prefermenting went really well. See photos here. We even were audience to a great accordion performance!

For the countertop we chose is an oversized door. We wandered Buffalo ReUse, looking for something that was countertop-like. Originally, we thought we might just get the corian that they had hidden in the back, but why go boring? The door used to be a swinging door, presumably in a kitchen somewhere. What better reuse than restoring it to its original location? Perhaps it won’t serve as an entranceway, but it will serve an equally (if not more) important role in the kitchen.

Like a normal countertop, we had to cut the sink hole with a jigsaw, and then we threw the crazy orange-red sink into the mix! The two problems that remained were: a) it was a paneled door and b) wood + water = icky combination. The first problem was addressed by adding tiling in the middle of the panels, raising the level of the panels to be even with the thicker part of the door. The second problem was solved using a product suggested by my friend Carrie. She told me about this super effective polyurethane that is used on boats that keeps all moisture from entering into the wood. Now, I admit polyurethane should be avoided in most cases, but when it is a countertop that encounters water CONSTANTLY…I think it is ok to use. Perhaps not, but anyone know any other solution to using the polyurethane that keeps the wood from getting ruined?

This week we will be working on shelving and cabinets, maybe starting work on the flooring in the side entrance, installing a bathroom cabinet, etc. If you’re interested in learning any of these things or other things, let me know! We can always set up a last minute workshop. For now, I am taking a day off. Swimming at the beach in Canada, enjoying Father’s Day with my Dad and both of my grandfathers!

Megan

Baking Workshops and Tiling Kitchens

2010-06-06T22:03:00.001-04:00

Now offering baking workshops!
Ok, so they're not home repair workshops, BUT Fancy & Delicious is offering baking workshops at the house! If you want to learn, please RSVP and come to the baking workshop on Sunday June 13th, 12 to 5pm. There is still no serious workshop schedule because I'll be leaving mid July, but we are furthering the vision by continuing to experiment with reused items and setting up the kitchen so that Fancy & Delicious will be able to offer baking workshops inside during the cold, winter months! If you are interested in learning to build cabinets or install a kitchen sink, stop by the house sometime this week.

Yes, a lot of progress has been made in the kitchen. Namely, a frame for the cabinets and sink...AND tiling. An example of reuse: we used electrical outlet covers as tiles! It's hard to see in the photo, but they turned out looking super cool. I'll report on how they hold up...

Good news: Despite my leaving, Maura has been talking of inviting others to teach an increased range of workshops. We all have our talents and we all should share our knowledge with others! Whether it be gutter replacement or bee keeping or playing the sousaphone! Keep this in mind if you'd like to share your talent with others...

Hard-Hatted Women

2010-05-09T19:38:00.001-04:00

I was looking through the used books on Amazon the other day and found a book that I thought I'd share: Hard-Hatted Women, edited by Molly Martin. Now, usually I am searching for "how to" repair books or green design books to add to the library, but I just happened to stumble on this one and thought I would read through it since it somewhat pertains to me...

If you hadn't guessed, it's a book of true stories about women in the trades. It was published in 1988, so a little outdated, but I was surprised how many things in the trades are still the same! Of course it talked about sexual and verbal harassment from co-workers/superiors/customers, but it also talked about the idea of women entering into a man's domain, how difficult it is mentally to traverse that path, and the excitement of possessing a useful skill.

Anyway, all this to say that I am reminded time again of the need for training women for entering in building trades. With the high drop out rates here in Buffalo, combined with the high rates of teen pregnancy, it just makes sense to give a young woman a skill which she can use to support her new family. (Of course it is equally important to engage young men and teach them skills as well, but that is not the topic of this post, nor of the book...)

If you're interested in reading this book, there is a copy of it in the library at Eaton St. that you can pick up any day of the week. Just stop by and ask!

Yours in hard-headed and hard-hattedness...
Megan

Newton's Law of Cooling and several heat equations later...

2010-05-06T18:45:00.000-04:00

Thankfully I turned in my thesis on the concrete radiators this week! Can't say the experiment was totally successful. I discovered many flaw in the design and included may variations in my recommendations section for future trials. If you are interested in reading a 50 page science paper on heat equations, green retrofit, and what factors the successful heat output of a radiator are dependent on, email buffalobasics@gmail.com for a copy. With my thesis done, it is now just a week of finals before I graduate from college (long time coming).

Probably due to the constant questioning (what will you do after you graduate? Do you have a job lined up?) I have been thinking about how this project got started, where it progressed and where it will go in the future...

For that last one, I can say with perfect honesty that I don't know. What I do know are the following:
1. This project started out with an idea, a conversation over coffee. ...but it evolved into so much more! It became a connecting point for neighbors and friends. A place for people to meet other like-minded people, to share frustrations, and to learn from each other. I can say without a doubt that I learn more from people who stop by to visit than I could ever possibly hope to teach. This is inspiring to me since it demonstrates to me the power and potential of collective knowledge and reminds me everyday of the strengths that we all bring to the table. This project, though small, has made me think of continuing this collective energy somehow into a "bigger picture" project! With the same goals of connecting people, networking, self-empowerment through skills-building, etc. What exactly that project is, I cannot say, only that I need to think on it more...

2.The volunteer room will be decorated the minute I get home. So if you have ever donated money, donated knowledge, been to a workshop, donated your time, or--like my parents--volunteered your sanity, your homework is to sign your name on a broken piece of tile, a funny-shaped spindle, an old window, or anything reused! Even feel free to make some furniture out of recycled materials or write a long note (on recycled paper, of course)! Those items will be hung or placed in the volunteer room as a tribute to the many wonderful minds and caring hearts who have helped on the project. There's no real deadline on submitting something, though I would love it if you gave it to me before mid July.

3. The house, regardless if it is not constantly a center for workshops or does not host monthly parties in the future, will always have a door open for anyone willing or wanting to learn skills. So keep my email handy in case you have a question on repairs. Whatever you need to learn, we can figure out together.

As it stands, I will be returning to a summer full of workshops and get togethers. Maura and Matt will be out back baking, I'll be inside tinkering around, and you are always welcome to stop by and browse through our library, sip a cup of coffee/tea, and pick up a few home repair/gardening/baking tips along the way. All the events held at the house will be listed on the calendar at the top of this page, but also on the Buffalo ReUse website (under community calendar).

Signing off as a soon-to-be-graduate,
Megan

March update

2010-03-24T12:53:00.000-04:00

So the radiators work, but are they hot enough? Depends what temperature they're run at. Unlike radiant floors, these babies need to be hotter in order to have a better heat output in a concentrated area. Question is...how hot does it need to be?

I have been able to keep the house at a steady 59 degrees. Not particularly comfortable, but certainly not freezing either. And that was only with 4 radiators in the entire house (compared to the original 7 on the first floor). I'm hoping that the additional radiators will keep the place toasty...but only time will tell. And unfortunately it's already March and I will not be able to accurately test them any longer! Perhaps next year...

In other news, Maura is back on the job with Matt for the earth oven and backyard garden! After a 6 month stint in Europe she is ready and raring to go! We have many plans for summer events (think free pizza and movie nights, coffee breaks, playing board games or twister)...you name it and we will try and host it! We want 153 Eaton to have a very low-key, inclusive atmosphere so please help make that possible (through volunteering, coming to events, donating, asking about bread baking, etc)! Also look out for future fundraising events. More updates to come soon...

Eureka!

2010-02-22T11:57:00.000-05:00

The radiators are working! I connected a concrete radiator to the heating system and...eureka! Well, not really...it was hours of poking and prodding before I got the system up and running with no leaks, reliable pumps, correct connections, etc. but when I heard the system click on for the very first time it was a glorious moment. Unfortunately there was no one around to share this big victory with, but if you had been walking by you would have seen some crazy girl in carharts running back and forth through the house, jumping for joy. Probably a good thing you weren't walking by...ha!

I have yet to test the efficiency and compare it to the efficiency of a regular copper fin baseboard radiator...that is for this coming weekend. Any other ideas of what I can easily compare it to? (cast iron is out because the heated water that circulates through the radiator circulates through the domestic hot water system as well) I was thinking of an electric radiator perhaps?

As I was walking out the door last night though, the radiator was already up to 75 degrees F and rising! Next in line is experimenting with pigments and shape and textures and adding different aggregate. I'm also looking into different designs for spiraling the tubing as well as making a lighter concrete so that they are easier to move. The possibilities are truly endless! I only have limited space though...is anyone curious enough to have them installed in their own home and act as a second testing site?? Ha!

If you're interested in getting a tour of the house, how the heating system works, the avantages/disadvantages/costs. I will be in Buffalo again next weekend and can walk you through it.

Until next time,
Megan

Thesis work

2010-02-10T23:01:00.000-05:00

In it for the long haul. My thesis is due in April, so I am traveling back and forth every weekend in February to finish testing, generating data. Stressful, but necessary. Plus, I get to enjoy the perks of Matt's bread baking!

This weekend (Feb 12-14th) I will be working non-stop on the thesis-specific parts of the project. Meaning, solar air collector and a concrete radiator. The week I left Buffalo (mid January), I had just finished the prototype for the concrete radiator. Now I am working on how to run hot water through it in a loop to test its efficiency. Any ideas? If you care to stop by and learn about either, I will be at the house quite often. Give me a call or shoot me an email if you're thinking of stopping by!

(Re)Collection: Wasted in Buffalo

2010-02-09T00:19:00.000-05:00

I presented on this project at school last Monday (2/1), a compilation of my work in Buffalo as well as the experimental work on turning found items (dumpsterdived in NYC) into functional furniture. My hope was that through talking about the house as well as talking about waste, I could start some inspiring conversations in and around campus...
Read below for a description of the presentation.

As you exit the elevators on the 17th floor, there is a big pile of junk. Yuck! On the wall, there is a sign with all kinds of negative words (waste, dilapidated, ugly, worthless, blight, etc). You are instructed to both take a bird hanging from the ceiling and pick out a piece of junk!

You take a bird representing the ever present seagulls around trash and unravel it to learn a fact about waste in Buffalo. Waste of resources, waste of housing (vacancy), waste of knowledge (drop out rates), etc. You read the label on the trash you just picked up and find out which NYC borough the item was found in! You need this for a later activity, so you keep it with you as you wander through the exhibit...

You continue past the entrance and arrive at a collection of photos. There are three sets of photos: waste/dilapidation in Buffalo (the before photos of the house), volunteers/progress, and into the future. You look more closely and realize that some of the photos with people in them have anecdotes attached, stories about volunteers, workshop attendees, and how they have each contributed to changing this idea of waste.

You enter a room and the presentation part begins. I briefly speak about the project and how it got started, but mostly about our perceptions of waste and how we can seek to change it. Then, the activity! I asked people to turn and introduce themselves and start talking about their piece of junk in front of them. Where did it come from? What was it originally? What could they use it for now? Could you combine it with anyone elses object at the table and make something neat?? Everyone gets into groups, not sure what to expect. A moment of silence...and then a burst of chattering. You can hear snippets from other tables...

"This looks like...a pipe. I suppose you could use it as a weapon?"
"No, it'd totally be an awesome cane!"

"Hmmm...an old piece of a coat rack?"
"Woah...definitely a future chandelier!"
"I was thinking we could combine this cool looking table leg with it and make a rustic/stylish new coat rack!"

You look down at your own object. You chose a piece of neon green Styrofoam that looks like a gigantic lego piece. Piece of styrofoam? Useless. Until wait, maybe you could use it as a stencil in the new bathroom design you are creating...someone else suggests simply reusing it for packaging/keeping another item safe in the mail...
Or, say you picked up an old wooden seat piece...hmmmm. You've always wanted a new cutting board...cut the seat down a bit, and voila! Also looks like a good sign...paint something on it and hang it in your room!

As people shared their ideas with each other they realized they are totally into this! They wanted to take items home with them and actually turn the ideas into reality. The audience reconvened for a minute as I wrap up, connecting the activity to a larger message. What you immediately labeled as waste when you first exited the elevators, now seems potentially valuable...you think about the people who are immediately written off as waste or worthless...perhaps its all in perceptions...

The presentation is over, but there's more to come! In the other room, there is an exhibit featuring many pieces of furniture that I made from trash. There are other activities to engage in too! You find the food table and...there is SO much food! Cinnamon raisin bread from Fancy and Delicious Baking Co, squash soup made from squash saved from the garden in Buffalo (actually, it's combination of farmer's market squash and squash from Kathy/Lar McNally's garden...shhhh), cheese/apples from the farmers market, fresh veggies, and a HUGE carrot cake made by a family friend! There is a canvas in the corner...there's a demonstration going on, about painting trim! It is an example of what I've been teaching at my house.

Anyway, that's pretty much the gist of the presentation. It was a wonderful and inspiring day, and there were so many great conversations that I'll probably never even know about! Until next time...

Megan

Solar heat collector

2010-01-19T22:08:00.000-05:00

Apparently the 3pm time was inconvenient for many people wanting to attend the solar heat collector workshop. I got many emails telling me to switch the time, so next time I know later is better. In any event, I built most of the solar heat collector in one day...and it looks great! Had to stop because I ran out of cans, so if you have a bunch of soda or beer cans (or would be willing to host a party to get some) let me know! Materials reused include an old storm window, empty cans and some odd pieces of wood lying around. Total cost will probably be about $20. If you're interested in getting directions for making your own or would like to reschedule a workshop...email buffalobasics@gmail.com

Frozen pipes and frozen toes

2010-01-03T20:04:00.000-05:00

It was in the negatives today with the windchill factor. Eek. I found myself shivering even with the battery powered self-heating socks and a few extra layers of long johns I threw on in the morning. Despite the cold cold cold weather though, inside the house the mood was warm and cheery! I smiled as I came through the door, hearing the sound of the gas heater going and hammers pounding. Several volunteers were busily working away, only stopping when I brought in my aunt's "very berry" pie and Micki brought in her award winning lasagna to share! We gobbled it up as though we were at Thanksgiving dinner and then got right back to work.

Working yesterday, Jason learned his fair share about drilling holes in 100 year old wood. Today Tex learned how to break out the rest of the corroded cast iron pipe/vent. More work is going on tomorrow and all week in fact (I'm working on building green innovations for my thesis, tiling the bathroom, etc), so if you'd like to learn...be sure to stop by!

Last bit of news: my pipes froze overnight...looks like I'll have to find a better method to keep them warm. Luckily, nothing exploding, so I didn't have water pouring in my basement...knock on wood! I'm working on finishing the insulation, so hopefully then it won't be a problem. In the meantime, I'm crossing my fingers and hoping it doesn't happen again. More updates to come, but if you're interested in green design/build, come to the workshop on the 13th at 3pm to learn all about offsetting your heating bills with DIY solar air collectors!

Spray Foam Insulation

2009-12-18T16:52:00.000-05:00

I was in Buffalo last weekend and worked on the spray foam insulation (sealing the gaps between the rigid foam and the joists) in the crawlspace. It's very simple...after installing the rigid foam (see previous post) and securing it, you just need to run a line of spray foam from the can all the way along the seams. You can buy it for ~$3/can.

A word of caution: WEAR A RESPIRATOR! The chemicals from the spray foam are very bad for you to breathe. You will get sick without a mask. My uncle has a sprayfoam insulation company out in Long Island and he says that he's gotten terrible asthma-like breathing attacks...so please be careful. Spray foam is amazing stuff, but not worth sacrificing your lungs!

This month coming up...look out for DIY solar air collectors! For my thesis I am measuring the efficiency of air collectors I build out of trash. These collectors will be attached to southfacing windows to capture the sun's energy and heat up the air in the house. Keep checking on the calendar above for workshop days. Remember, it's an experiment...so the first solar air collector may not be perfect, but at least it has the potential to heat your home! If you'd like to get involved in general, please feel free to contact me...there will be lots of work going on January 2-16th. Learn a new skill and meet some awesome folks!

Happy Holidays...
Megan

Crawlspace Insulation

2009-12-07T22:53:00.000-05:00

I was home again for Thanksgiving weekend.
No, I did not work on Thanksgiving...

Friday through Sunday was spent insulating the crawlspace underneath the first section of my house. I am unfortunate enough to not have a full basement like some of the other houses in the area, so I was inching around on my stomach using my feet to move me along! Though it is proven that the majority of your money spent on heating (something like 42%) is lost through an uninsulated attic, an uninsulated basement and crawlspace can also contribute to heat loss...especially if it is not sealed off from outside winds. So I decided to get that out of the way before the weather turned.

To insulate your basement/crawlspace you first need to measure the area. Figure out exactly how much space exists between joists (usually 16 on center...so you'll need insulation about 14 inches wide) and multiply that by the width of your house. This gives you the area of one open space...now you need to figure out how many joists span your house and multiply the area for one open section by the number of open spaces that exist in between your joists. This calculation is a bit confusing, but once you start doing it you should be able to figure it out...

ORDER EXTRA.

I decided on ordering rigid foam from Thermal Foams, a local distributor on Kenmore Ave. They were very helpful and for a small fee they delivered directly to the doorstep. Once you have your insulation ordered and set to be installed, follow the step-by-step below:

1. If you ordered pre-cut 8ft strips (ex. 14" x 8ft), then skip to step 3. If you ordered large sheets and want to cut them yourself for greater precision (the differences in my widths varied from 13" to 15+"), measure the spaces between the joists and cut the strips to fit. I used a table saw to cut the strips, much faster than any other method, but it is doable with a handsaw. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A NUMBERING SYSTEM so you know where the strips will go.

2. Rip long 1" strips from 2x4s or from any scrap wood lying around. You will be using this to hold up your insulation against the floorboards, so you need to make enough to keep the insulation up. An alternative to this would be to tack nails into the sides of the joists...although this may be a faster method, it also seems like a more flimsy method.

3. Go into the crawlspace (bring a headlamp and goggles or you'll inevitably get dust in your eyes) and start securing the insulation in place. If you have a nail gun, GREAT! If not, insulating will not be quick and easy. Shove one strip of insulation up into a space between the joists and secure it by nailing the 1"x2" strips just under the insulation. Do this for every exposed space.

4. You're almost done...now to the foaming. Because rigid foam does not conform to the shape of the space, it can leave unsealed air gaps. In order to decrease air infiltration, you need to foam the spaces where the wood and rigid foam meet. The easiest way is to buy spray foam in cans from any major hardware store (Dibbles, Home Depot, etc). You will need a lot of foam, but it'll be worth it in the end!

I have yet to completely seal the space by adding the spray foam, so if you're interested in seeing it in action, contact me! Unfortunately the foam is only useable in 40 degrees or higher...so I may have to wait until a warm winter day, or even springtime to finish this project. Meanwhile, I'm losing heat! Ah! I will be home this weekend and working on various projects around the house (namely insulation...finishing the insulation in the basement and in the attic). Definitely call me if you would like a demonstration...of insulation, of drywalling, anything!

Hope you're all staying warm this season.
Megan

Election weekend, windows and weatherization

2009-11-06T19:10:00.000-05:00

Columbia/Barnard gives us the weekend off so we can go home and vote. I took advantage and went home to work on the house all weekend! I was working alone, then suddenly VOILA! I find myself working with 1 then 3 then 6 other people! Matt's mother taking a day to learn about bread baking with her son, Jason learning the precision of cutting drywall, Micki and Bryan helping out in the upstairs bathroom, Vince and my mother tearing out lathe, Dave offering expertise on insulation, Ken showing how to fix minor roof leaks, my father fiddling with the leaky toilet, people stopping by to pick up bread...A community atmosphere and a constant desire to learn has become a part of the house. It's wonderfully refreshing to be in such an atmosphere in comparison to living in the Big Apple.

Work continues on the house, slowly but surely. It's hard when I'm not there to coordinate. The first floor is looking really great--almost all of the drywall is complete! It's almost looking like a real home. The weather is getting much much colder, so we closed off all the entrances to the upstairs to increase the efficiency of the gas heater that heats the downstairs. Also because it is cold, we put the garden to bed for the winter...covering all the beds with dead leaves that will add nutrients to the garden beds for next spring. It looks odd considering a month ago we still had tomatoes and salad and beans and beets! All that's left is the lone kale...

To note: If you have a house with somewhat leaky windows, a temporary fix is using the plastic covers that seal tight your windows, not allowing air infiltration. Super helpful because you can lose a lot of heat this way! It's a quick an easy fix. Although, I should say...do not rely on this. Plastic is not a good material--it is harmful for the environment! Fix your windows and you won't need to do this temporary solution. Call/email me if you would like more information on fixing and weatherizing windows. Also, I'm home in a few weeks for thanksgiving...working on insulating the crawlspace and basement with rigid foam. So if you're interested in learning about insulation, would like a workshop or a five minute demo, contact me as well!

Last update: Research continues on DIY green technologies. I'm looking at a solar heat collector, building it out of aluminum cans painted black and channeling the hot air in through a window. Sort of like a forced air system, only it only works during the day and uses no fossil fuels. Also thinking of trying to capture some of the heat from the oven and channeling it into the house? If anyone ever has thoughts or suggestions...anything would be appreciated. The beauty of this house is that I'm willing to try anything and everything! So bring the craziest ideas to the table and I'll try it...given it's not outrageously expensive.

Hooray for Heat

2009-10-18T08:56:00.000-04:00

Matt has been suffering in the October cold weather, but there has been a report that the heat is now on. Hooray!!!! A small victory in the grand scheme of things, but we're all glad our favorite neighborhood baker won't freeze to death.

In other news, research on green technologies for the house has been progressing. If you're interested in trying to supplement your own hot water by building a solar thermal panel, check out this website. It has a great set of instructions, and this is similar to the panel I will be constructing. The output (amount of water heated) will be measured over a long period of time to see how much heating you would save just by building this. The guy on the website said it cost him less than five dollars! An investment of five dollars seems well worth the time it will take to construct it.

Worst case scenario, it doesn't work. Okay scenario, I use it only for heating water for an outdoor shower in the spring and summer. Best scenario, it can be integrated into the hot water heating system in the house!

"Greenery" in Winter

2009-10-06T08:55:00.000-04:00

I met with my thesis adviser this week to finalize my thesis topic and...it's going to be studying low-cost green upgrades on houses, using recycled materials! How fantastic, right?!?

Research on the topic is being conducted now with the intent of installing things at 153 Eaton in December/January. So look out for updates on future green workshops! How to make your own insulation, heat your house more efficiently, maybe even how to construct a solar thermal panel to heat water for your shower! Why buy expensive technology when you can do it yourself??

Updates coming...

Creepy Crawlers!

2009-09-21T18:21:00.000-04:00

There are few things I like less about home improvement than slithering around on my stomach in a dusty, spider ridden crawl space.

False.

Truth be told, there is a bit of satisfaction to be had when you emerge from the darkness, headlamp covered in spider webs, a soot mark extending from your forehead to your chin and clothes so dirty you hesitate to sit on furniture for fear of ruining it! At least that's what I feel. It also gives you a sense of legitimacy...I'm dirty, so I must be getting work done, must know what I'm doing! The thought that spiders may be in my hair is a little unsettling, I will admit.

This weekend I had my fair share of fun in the dark spaces underneath my house. While doing some work, I also found some neat objects! Of course the typical animal bones and the discarded wood, but I also found a small wheel, an old (rotted) wine barrel, and some object that is made of wood, has two handles, and looks like a buoy, but weighs over 100 lbs (I will post a photo when I go back and take one in November)! Wonder where it's going...inside? Or in the sculpture garden in the backyard?

Saving on Security

2009-09-19T14:16:00.000-04:00

If your basement is anything like mine, installing glass block windows offers a bit of light for a dark and dreary basement...not to mention a bit of security as well! Last Friday I worked on installing the final glass block window in my basement. Two workshops have been taught on their construction and installation and a worksheet was distributed, so if you're interested in learning how you can do-it-yourself, please contact me to get a pdf version.

I was thinking of the savings, and considering a professional company might charge $100-$200 per window installation, I saved quite a bit! Look at the pricing below (estimation):

Silicon Caulk: $3
Use pre-constructed window: $48
DIY using individual blocks: $30
Mortar mix (80 lb): $7

Total: $40-$60

Of course you have to spend the time doing it, but if you're strapped for money, isn't doing it yourself the obvious choice?? A couple things I have discovered in doing this...

Measure, measure, measure so you get the right size blocks!
Always allot ample time to prep the sill the window is being placed on; sometimes the sill needs to be repoured.

GOOD LUCK!

Jacquie Walker Scholarship

2009-09-15T13:45:00.000-04:00

Last night, I was at the AAUW potluck dinner and meeting. The American Association of University Women (Buffalo Branch) awarded me a tremendous honor, the Jacquie Walker Scholarship, thanking me for my commitment to community service. I was thinking about this, and while I by no means do what I do to get awards and instead I think everyday about how much I'm learning and how much fun it is, it's always nice to get such a recognition from such amazing women. I was blown away yesterday by the group's collective strength and intelligence. I can only hope to be like them some day!

After the awards ceremony I hopped back on the overnight bus, headed back to school in NYC. Got here at 7 this morning only to find an email from my mother with the link to the TV clip shown last night. As I type I'm blushing, knowing in typical motherly fashion, she has probably emailed everyone and anyone she possibly has ever met, telling them the good news--but that's what mothers are great at! If you get a chance, take a look at the clip...

What a weekend. To Buffalo and back again in 48 hours. And back again in a few days for a wedding! If you're around on Friday, come on over to the house because we plan on getting a lot done. As always, lots to do, lots to learn...lots of fun to be had!

Trash to Treasure Building

2009-09-03T15:35:00.000-04:00

While I'm here in NYC, finishing up my last year of undergrad before I'm out in the real world (stirring up the pot!) I have a lot more time to read. To read, to discover new green ideas, to experiment with "left field" ideas! While reading up on natural building I discovered this article, published in yesterday's NY Times.

A man who does exactly what I want to do. Turn trash into treasure. Functional treasure. I don't like the idea of converting trash into art because after the gallery show and if no one wants it, it may once again end up in a dump. Making functional, user friendly objects (not to mention HOUSES) out of discarded scraps re-purposes objects and gives them longer lives away from the waste stream.

Meanwhile, at the house...Matt is on his second week of baking! Last week: multigrain boule. This week: a surprise! Wouldn't want to ruin it for any members who would be reading this!
My grandmother called me yesterday to say that she had eaten ALL of my mother's share of bread, it was that good. Too bad the shares are sold out for this run...if anyone wants to sign up for the next round...stay tuned! Sign ups will be coming up in a few months (make sure you email fancyanddelicious@gmail.com and ask for a reminder email)

I hear the tomatoes are out of control and the eggplants are booming. There is too much food even for Matt, so if you're in the area PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE feel free to stop by and pick some up! Work continues on the bottom half of the house...it's a mad rush before winter sets in. Finishing the kitchen so it's up to baking status, re-tiling the shower, putting in light fixtures, installing the permanent cabinets (out of recycled windows and wood, or maybe some other odd material...). There's lots to do and to learn so if you want to help, email me or call me and we can set up a date!

-M

Mmm...the smell of bread.

2009-08-18T18:27:00.000-04:00

It's been a while in the making, but the big momma earthen oven is finally complete! Future site of delicious breads made by Matt and Maura. The oven, like the original one we constructed back in April (or was it March?), is made of a clay/sand mixture...only this time, it has straw added! The straw provides added strength to the structure and has resulted in little to no cracking. The oven is so big that a person can fit inside...kind of makes me think of the story of Hansel and Gretel where the witch tries to get them inside so she can bake them!

The other day I found Matt taking a nap inside...a six foot five? six foot six? guy in the oven?? With that size, it sure is going to make a lot of delicious bread. Anyway, if you're interested in getting your hands on some of his and Maura's delicious breads or would like them to teach a class on bread baking, please contact them via email (fancyanddelicious@gmail.com). The opening party for Fancy and Delicious breads will be held in the backyard of 153 Eaton on Sunday August 30th at 4pm with free oven-baked pizza samples and demonstrations on how the oven works. Come and join us, it should be a really fun and filling time!!!

ReUsing Water: Greywater Systems!

2009-08-01T19:01:00.000-04:00

This past week, we taught a workshop on constructing a greywater wetland. I found a lot of resources online...the greywater guerillas website seemed to be the most helpful. The way our system is set up is that the water flows from the sink or shower out into first, a barrel full of sand which filters out any of the larger particles and soap scum, and then it drains into the clawfoot tub full of wetland plants, which interact with the water and provide a natural filter, so now it can be used on gardens! In addition to reusing water, this greywater system makes use of a 55 gallon drum (to hold the sand) and also a clawfoot tub that was destined for the garbage! Talk about material reuse. And it is such a cool addition to the garden!

YNIA Part 2

2009-07-31T23:48:00.000-04:00

We had another AWESOME group of YNIA volunteers. This time, from Massachusetts! The first day, they went right to work painting and tiling! The downstairs tiling job looks incredible, all thanks to them. On the last two days, the boys got to do some pretty fun demolition work, taking out some old ceiling plaster and removing paneling...they sure got dusty and dirty. We got a lot done in one week and the groups enthusiasm was much appreciated. Thanks to all involved!

YNIA Visitors!

2009-07-15T21:55:00.000-04:00

This week, we have some visitors! They drove all the way from Wisconsin (a place actually colder than Buffalo!). These volunteers are part of Young Neighbors in Action, a weeklong Catholic service learning experience that engages young people in the act of community service. This amazing group has already reglazed the windows, painted the sills, painted the foyer, repointed part of the foundation, caulked, finished a floor...the list goes on. And on. And on and on and on and on and...

Anyway, if you're looking to learn a bit more about housing rehab, want to troubleshoot a problem in your home, or are looking for a relaxed/fun environment, come and volunteer! In addition to workshops, the house is open for you to practice your repair skills almost everyday...show up and you'll be put right to work!

Appearance in Dwell Magazine!

2009-07-08T09:13:00.000-04:00

Hot off the press! Whitney and I are in this month's issue of Dwell, a nationally distributed architecture/design magazine. Our bright, shining faces appear on page 28 along with a brief article about what we're doing, why we're doing it, and how we're making an impact. If you have time, check it out!

Nat'l holiday does not mean vacation day...

2009-07-06T09:24:00.000-04:00

I worked on the fourth. Both at the restaurant where I serve as well as at the house. Needless to say, I did not have a relaxing holiday, so I decided that no matter what I was going to enjoy my July 5th.

All day was spent working on the house. An amazing crew of volunteers helped with building the newer, bigger earth oven alongside Matt and Maura, creators of the new baking operation Fancy and Delicious (F+D)! A big thanks to all who helped.

Afterwards though, we celebrated the installation of the new patio and the progress made in the garden. We fired up the earth oven, made pizzas, and watched a movie, projected onto the back of the house with a projection screen generously provided by Courtney! The movie was Wall.E. Very appropriate considering it's a movie all about recycling. It was a relaxing/fun end to the weekend! Look for more movie nights to come...movie suggestions are being taken now :)

Bills Fan!

2009-06-19T01:01:00.000-04:00

Ok, if you're from Buffalo it's a requirement: you're a Bills fan and you like to talk about the Bills. Unfortunately for you, this post has very little to do with the Bills, however, and EVERYTHING to do with a fan. My little trick to draw you in...

The fan I am talking about came from one of the walls at the ReSource (298 Northampton). I was walking through the other day, searching for inspiration, when I saw it; the fan was prominently displayed in the front of the store, calling to me. I asked Peter, the assistant store manager, what the plan was for the fan...was it for sale? was it for show?

Peter told me they had scrapped a similar one earlier in the day, thus this one was equally up for grabs. Who would want/need an old industrial fan? ME. I wanted it. How could something so cool be scrapped?? Using sheer strength and determination, I lugged the giant fan back to my newly laid patio and took a few moments to brainstorm.

I came up with the idea of converting the fan into a table. Slapping four legs on it, placing some glass on top and calling it a day. Well, not so easy as that, but that's the general idea. It turned out SO cool! Now I am evermore inspired to create furniture, sculptures, bins, etc. out of recycled materials. I'm convinced it's the way of the future. So if you're driving around and find a cool object, DON'T throw it out! Think of how it could be used as a neat centerpiece in your living room, or a new addition to your house's artwork. OR...give it to me...I'll find a use for it!

Garden Creations, Reusing Concrete

2009-06-03T13:01:00.000-04:00

Back in November, my heart sank a little when I discovered that the house I had just bought in the October foreclosure auction had a gigantic slab of concrete hidden underneath a thin layer of soil. Think of the soil as icing on the thick concrete cake and you get the idea. Yuck, right? I felt as though all my plans for an amazing garden had just wilted and withered away.

Well, come April I had the concrete removed thanks to Matt and the trusty skidsteer that ripped it up...making way for my ambitious garden plans! Only problem was, I had a sky high pile of concrete in my backyard that I had no intention of using. My initial thought was to get rid of it ASAP. It was an eyesore, a constant reminder of the garage that had once stood but had since rotted away, but the environmental policy major in me challenged that initial thought. Why couldn't I find a way to reuse it? Couldn't it function somehow in my plans?

After thinking of all the things I wanted to include in my garden and the materials needed, I thought of using the concrete pieces to build an herb spiral. If you're not familiar with an herb spiral, don't be ashamed; most people have no idea what I'm talking about when I mention it. Basically what it aims to do is to conserve space in a garden and also provide the perfect climate for each herb that is planted. With the way water reaches each portion of the spiral formation, dry loving herbs like rosemary go on top and herbs loving a more moist environment go on the bottom. It is a very effective and beautiful addition to any garden.

So I built the herb spiral out of concrete pieces, but I still had too much left over, so I lined paths and garden beds with it! In addition, it is going into the foundation for the new earth oven being built. By taking my time and brainstorming ways to reuse it, I have successfully avoided the need to rent a dumpster to cart away the concrete. All it takes is a little patience, creativity, and willingness to experiment and look at the result! Not only did I reuse materials, I created something beautiful. I hope this inspires folks to build an herb spiral in their garden...I can tell you it is well worth it. Use whatever materials you have lying around that you can stack on top of each other and then fill it with a mixture of topsoil and compost. Also, you don't necessarily have to fill it with herbs; it could just as easily be a flower or veggie spiral!

Composting with seatbelts

2009-06-03T02:37:00.000-04:00

Compost bins are essential to any garden. I had long ago decided I was putting in a three bin compost system, but I had been hesitating for a while, wondering what I should make it out of. Wood was fine, but boring. Brick? Too time consuming. I wandered over to Buffalo ReUse and asked Peter, the assistant store manager, what ReUse had a lot of that they needed to use up. Peter jokingly suggested the enormous box of seatbelts that someone had donated. It was all in jest, but then I thought, "why not??"

After a few trial and error sessions, I figured out how I could use the seatbelts in my compost bin design. The majority of my compost bin is woven seatbelts...The outer sides, the back (seatbelts woven into a chainlink fence), and the front doors are all made out of seatbelts. The middle dividers are made out of tree trunks that we cut out of my backyard and sunk into the ground. Talk about material reuse! The best part was that it took less than a day to create, is functional, and looks super cool! If you'd like to learn how I made my compost bin, come and talk to me about it at the next workshop (Glass Block Windows, Tuesday June 9th at 6pm).

A lot of progress has been made in and around the house, so be sure to come and check it out! The garden is growing rapidly (I need to harvest the lettuce) and the inside rooms are being tranformed! All with the help of a group of awesome City Honors kids and some wonderful volunteers. An especially big thank you to Vince and to the kids who worked on the compost bin; it looks amazing.

Hope to see you all at a future workshop...

Fondly,
Megan

Earth Ovens, Glass Block Windows, Mortar, and a BBQ!

2009-05-05T09:22:00.000-04:00

Last week was a busy week--there was the ReUse Open House on Saturday where Matt and I gave a demonstration on earth oven building and cooking, and then an impromptu workshop on planting/preparing a garden for the growing season. On Sunday was a demonstration on installing glass block windows which was a little rough throughout the process, but turned out beautifully!

Saturday's Open House was SO much fun. Folks were in and out all day, enjoying the nice weather and eating some of Matt's delicious pizzas and breads. Watch out folks, he's gonna become the bread master of Eaton St...get your orders in now! We had never fired up the earth oven before, so we were nervous about the outcome, but no need to worry. Everything worked out wonderfully, and we even were asked how much we would charge to build one in someone's back yard! Sorry, we aren't hiring out, but if you want to learn how to make your own, we will be building another oven May 26th through 28th, 8am-12pm daily.

Sunday came, and it was another gorgeous day! Unfortunately I had mis-measured the window space, so I had had to build up the frame before installing the glass block. No worries though, I just built it up a bit, let the frame dry, and then fit the pre-made window into place (Whitney and I had made it the previous week). Once the window was in place, I finished it off with a bit of mortar and voila--it looks so much better. Of course everyone was ragging on me, saying I should have measured better...geez! It was all in good fun though, and I think the workshop was definitely a success. Can't believe how much light that one window lets in...I barely need the basement lights on now! We will be offering another glass block window lesson for folks who missed it, coming up some time in June or July. So you don't miss another class, take a look at our May calendar.

As always, the workshops are 100% free and open to anyone, so just show up and be ready to participate! We love newcomers and of course we love our regulars...it's a great chance to meet people, learn something new, and have fun! There is a workshop TODAY (5/5) on Mortar at 6pm. If you can't join us tonight, we're throwing a Cinco de Mayo BBQ tomorrow (5/6) from 6-8pm (free food, pinata, food from the clay oven, music, etc) . Hope to see you soon!

Love,
Megan

March Workshops

2009-04-07T09:38:00.000-04:00

A month of workshops later, things are still running smoothly! Since the time of my last post, we've held workshops on painting, doors, drywall, gardening, fixing windows, planning a garden, insulation and plumbing. WOW. I'm inspired and enthused just listing them all!

It would take too much time to reflect on all the workshops that have taken place at 153 Eaton in the past weeks, but here's a reflection on a few of them:

Drywalling--hanging, finishing and patching--is something that we will definitely have to offer again. Whether your plaster is crumbling in your old home or your son was horsing around and put his foot through the wall, sooner or later most people need to deal with drywall. So it's an important skill to have, and after watching instructor Adam demonstrating taping and finishing with joint compound, I've learned that it takes A LOT of work. Step 1: cutting the right size piece Step 2: screwing into wall with drywall screws Step 3: taping for reinforcement Step 4: making a smooth finish with joint compound (3 times!) Workshop attendees were given the chance try all four steps, and some left the workshop saying they felt ready to try it in their own home!

At the next workshop many people expressed their disappointment at having missed the drywall workshop, so our plan is to hold a repeat workshop in June. If you are interested, let either Whitney or I know what dates and times work best for you!

Things don't run smoothly all the time, I'll admit. The door workshop in the beginning of March was the first time the program had taken a slight misstep--we were unprepared when attendees began showing up, so we could only offer a quick explanation of "how to" instead of actually demonstrating installing a door. That workshop was a lesson for me to provide adequate time for set up. My pledge for the future is to make sure we providethe quality education that both Whitney and I are deeply committed to...

Just this past week was a plumbing demonstration on sweating copper, and it was received very enthusiastically! Of course people were intimidated by the propane torch, but with the encouragement of both Bob and I, most of the attendees were willing to give sweating copper a shot! The workshop focused mainly on developing this skill, while also spending time on a basic explanation of plumbing and how to fix leaks. The most gratifying part of the workshop was not using a torch, however, it was in the interactions between people at the workshop. I am finding that the more workshops that are held, the more there is regular attendance and more repeat attendees. I am getting to know some people extremely well and through talking with them am learning their stories and the story of the neighborhood I'm in. I even met someone who used to live in the house! How crazy is that??

Anyway, the workshops are going well. Some more than others. Most weeks I am scrambling to prepare in time, and the weeks where I am teaching I am especially nervous. But it's worth it. I am learning, people who attend workshops are learning, and I hope most people are (I know I am) walking away from each workshop with a renewed sense of competence, of ability to do things ourselves. Special thanks to all past instructors--Patrick, Adam, Bob, Craig, Joe--and can't wait for more workshops coming up!

This weekend: Laying Carpet Tiles (Saturday April 11th at 3pm)

It's a learning frenzy!

2009-03-08T14:35:00.000-04:00

So it's been a while (actually forever) since we've reported on the actual progress of the workshops. I confess, posting on the blog is something I will have to train myself to do weekly because somehow it always comes up as the last thing to do on my list...

Here's a quick, no frills added update of the past month of workshops:

The first workshop we held at 153 Eaton was on floor sanding. And wow. It went SO well! Attendance was great, people were really enthusiastic about trying the two different types of sanders and we got some helpful feedback. Our floors are now sanded, but we need to clean them up a bit, stain them and then refinish them. I'm thinking future workshop, anyone?

The second weekend was not really a hands-on workshop, more of a learning experience. We had Joe Sievert come in and conduct a very basic energy audit, explaining the procedure to folks. Also what you can do to reduce your utility bills and which options are the most cost effective.

Trivia: Which energy saving technique gives you the quickest return on your investment?
a) insulating your walls
b)replacing all your old bulbs with CFLs
c)replacing windows

If you thought that replacing windows would give you the most return for your investment...WRONG. Actually, it takes more than a few decades for windows to pay for themselves. Of the three choices, b gives you the quickest bang for your buck! Although I would highly suggest insulation. Keeps your body warmer and your toes snuggly (and reduces heating bills)!

The third weekend of workshops tried a new approach: DIFFERENT subjects on different days! Subfloor replacement and window glazing. Saturday's subfloor replacement was very exciting--a woman tried using the circular saw for the first time! All were laughing while learning; it's fun to try new things and it's great to have people wanting to learn.

So far, conducting these workshops has been an amazing experience. The successes of the workshops every weekend are a constant reminder why I am doing this, why I took a semester off for it and why I am choosing to continue! The variety of workshops keeps things interesting...it's never a dull day at 153 Eaton. This weekend was workshops titled Painting Like a Pro, taught by Whitney and her father. Since I'm taking a vacation in sunny (warm!) California to visit my brother, I'll leave it up to Whitney to talk about how they went!

Workshops 2/28, 3/1

2009-02-22T22:16:00.000-05:00

FREE WORKSHOPS!
AT

Are your floors buckling beneath you?

Replacing Subfloors

Saturday, February 28th
3pm

Trying to keep out the cold without the expense of new windows?
Window Glazing

Sunday, February 29th
3pm

Workshop 2/21

2009-02-18T09:57:00.000-05:00

Learn Ways to Reduce Your Utility Bills!

FREE
Energy Audit Demo
at

Saturday, February 21st

3pm

...Look for a update on March's schedule coming soon!

Musings on (Our First) Meeting

2009-02-07T21:34:00.000-05:00

a.k.a. Whitney's First Post!

Just about a week ago, Megan and I hosted our first public meeting about our project. Nine wonderful people weathered the blistering cold to come by and share their thoughts, and we cannot express our appreciation enough. For me, the meeting was one of the first times I really got to speak with and listen to, at length, some longtime residents of our neighborhood.

Reflecting on my eight years at City Honors, it's amazing to think how little I really knew beyond the sidewalk connecting Summer-Best station, the school, and Masten Park, where we had gym class on nice days. Eight years (21 living in Buffalo generally) and it wasn't until mid-January of 2009, after knocking on doors with fingers and cookies frozen solid, that I could tell you where Laurel Street begins and ends. Eight years and it wasn't until last weekend, after our meeting, that I could explain why pruned hedges and privacy fences are of particular importance to our neighbors.

In fairness to my high school self, it's only been since discovering Urban Studies in college that I have developed a keen interest in getting to know a neighborhood, since returning to Buffalo that I have realized I never want to leave, and since meeting Megan that I have been drawn back to the East Side. So I feel pretty fortunate to be getting a second chance at really knowing this neighborhood, especially in the context of our project and the strengthening role I hope it will play.

What else?
We determined our first workshops, combining a specific need in the house with a specific request of one of our neighbors and with specific restrictions imposed on us by the weather...

Sanding Your Hardwood Floors
February 14th at 1pm or February 15th at 3pm
At our house, 153 Eaton.

We also incorporated feedback from the meeting to adopt a workshop model, which we can hopefully begin using next weekend. The model devotes at least two workshops to every subject: the first is taught by a volunteer professional and the second (and third and fourth, if there is demand) is taught by one of us.

Plus Meg has been hard at work designing the workshop and it looks freakin' awesome! I can't wait to learn how to sand a floor!

Musings on momentum coming soon...

Why not try them all?

2009-02-06T22:02:00.001-05:00

Speaking of "demo," the last time my friend was over, the walls in the side entryway were still there. Poof! Now they're gone! It's amazing how quickly things can change. For instance, how I changed from being a full time student at a college in New York City to withdrawing for the semester and buying a house on the east side of Buffalo!

So even though I'm technically not enrolled this semester, I still consider myself an environmental policy major. Of course when I started this project I was really excited to make the materials choices as "green" as possible. Still, knowing what I know about environmental impacts, I am able to tell you virtually nothing about tried and true green materials. I did a little homework, searched through materials lists, and what I've come to realize in my researching is that there are so many options, so many brands! How can you possibly choose just one?

Well, why not try them all? My idea is to create a house that showcases all kinds of materials, all types of heating, insulation, etc. Included in that is a huge commitment to experimentation, creating non-conventional solutions to a greener lifestyle. How can we make a solar hot water system without paying 2000+ dollars? Can we try retrofitting a house and testing the efficiency of different types of insulation? In what ways can we recycle/conserve our water? Is it better to leave the systems you have and increase efficiency, or should you replace it?

All of these questions are the basis of very real experiments that will be conducted in the house over the next year. If you have an interest in this sort of thing or have an idea for a "back of the door" technique for greening a house, please contact me! Perhaps we can experiment with your inspiring ideas!

You must DESTROY to rebuild.

2009-01-10T22:22:00.000-05:00

It's hard to tell whether the people who are volunteering with me are having fun or not. They say they like the work, but am I just torturing them? Are they waiting until a convenient time when they can duck out? I will say, though, there is one activity that is fun for everyone. Regardless if a person is young or old, silly or serious, I have yet to hear of a person who does not enjoy demolishing walls. One volunteer describes it as her "daily zen." The handling of a crowbar, hitting it with as much force as possible against the plaster walls relieves stress levels and erases worry lines. Perhaps instead of botox injections, the stereotypical trophy wife should look to this activity to keep the life in her aging face!

Step one to rehabbing a house is getting over the fact that you have to do more damage before things can be improved. It seems counterintuitive; doesn't destroying walls bring you farther away from the finished product? Actually, "demo" is a very needed process...it's the only way to truly know what's going on in your renovation project. Does it need to be insulated? Rewired? Are there leaks? Is there mold? All of this can be determined when taking down a wall.

Steps to correct and safe "demo":
Equipment needed: mask, safety goggles, hardhat (a must if you're doing ceilings), heavy boots to avoid stepping on nails, crowbar/sledgehammer

1. Remove trim by delicately prying it away from the wall. Remove nails with a nail puller--pull them out from behind and you will prevent the finish from being ruined.
2. Remove wall fixtures. TURN OFF POWER. Unscrew the screws that hold them and disconnect the attached wires. Once the wires are disconnected, put electrical tape or wire nuts over the bare ends of the wire before turning the power back on.
2. Remove plaster. If your wall is covered with plaster and lath, first knock the plaster off with a small sledgehammer or the butt end of the crowbar. If you're not totally ripping out the wall and you keep the lath on, you can go over it with 1/4-3/8" drywall. Works just fine and saves the time it would take to rip out the lath.
4. Remove lath. If you do decide to rip out the lath, by removing the plaster and lath separately, debris will be much easier to handle. You now have a wall that's completely down to the bare bones. If you want to totally get rid of it, you need to determine if it's load bearing or not and proceed from there...more on this later...
5. Clean up. Probably the most important part of a renovation other than safety is keeping your workspace clean. Shovel the plaster pieces into heavy-duty contractor bags and tie the lath together to make piles. You can either throw this in the garbage, or keep your feet toasty warm and use it as kindling for your fire!

It's electric! (boogie woogie woogie)

2009-01-10T01:28:00.000-05:00

Called up the power authorities that be and got my electricity turned on today. It was surprisingly easy, but I figure that's probably because they're expecting returns on investment...if they come and turn on the juice then they've just put another paying customer in their system. If you need the electricity turned on at your house all you have to do is:

1 Call the power supplier in your area, schedule a starting date so they can switch on your electricity (You do not have to be present when the guys come and turn it on)
2 Register where your bills are being sent to. If you're smart, the mailing address is to Barbados. Just kidding--paying bills is an important if annoying part of home ownership, so make sure your address is correct so you can pay bills on time!
3 Before your system is put back online, MAKE SURE YOUR MAIN BREAKER IS SWITCHED OFF. This is the single most responsible, smart thing you can do in this situation, especially in older houses with shady wiring. You don't know where there are hidden cords and what connects to where, so better safe than having your house burn to the ground.
4 Test each and every outlet and light fixture. To do this, you must first locate which switches go to what portion of the house. Flip switches one at a time to on in the breaker panel, bring a partner to tell you what works and what doesn't. A good tool to use is a plug-in nightlight. You probably have one lying around, one of a seashell when you went on a trip to Cape Cod, or something perhaps a bit more embarassing. They're an easy, quick way to see if an outlet is working. Just plug in and you have your answer! Be sure to mark all fixtures and outlets that are not working so that you can return to them later to find out the problem...

Prioritizing

2009-01-07T22:44:00.000-05:00

1. Getting to know my house. We're going to be best friends for the next nine months that I am working full time on this project, so I'd better know it's likes/dislikes, wants/desires. The only way to understand a house is to walk in it and to be what my mother calls a "hungry noticer." Like that game Hungry Hungry Hippos, only not eating plastic white balls. Luckily I inherited the "hungry noticer" genes from her and so took it upon myself to document every part of the house. Problems, things I like, things I want to change, things that I want to like but most likely will change. I took a pencil, measuring tape, and a piece of paper.

First things to go...
Hideous 70s paneling
Ripped linoleum
Pumpkin orange wallpaper
Cracked Toilet

But these are minor changes. In the long run my vision is to open up the side entryway by ripping out a non load bearing wall and expanding the kitchen. This will make for a more communal space. Who doesn't want to gather in the kitchen?? It's where all the food is!

2. Finding Structural Problems. Ok, so this really should be first, but it's a scary subject so I like to think that it can be second. Nothing should really be done with the interior before any structural adjustments are made. This includes reframing/restructuring/resupporting, jacking the house if it's sinking, reroofing...basically anything that could allow for water damage or for the house to ultimately collapse. Yeah, pretty important.

The structure of the house is remarkably sound. As my friend Kevin says, "these old houses are built with so many little pieces that it is very difficult to completely collapse the structure." Even if people cut support beams. My problem here lies in the back addition...the addition is attached to the front of the house with rafters. Unfortunately, the addition is sinking, pulling on the front of the house, making the house all out of whack. The first attempt to fix this will be to jack up the back of the house and see if I can realign the structure.

So I have a few leaks evident in my house, but it's difficult to tell whether they're new or if they've been patched up. My guess is that someone attempted to patch up holes but did a pretty shoddy job. Call me crazy, but duct tape isn't going to be useful in this. It solves almost everything, but it doesn't solve the fact that I can see to the outside in places. Unfortunately I can't really do much until spring because I need to get onto the roof and check out the flashing, especially around the chimney (looks like swiss cheese it has so many holes!). I don't really want to be walking on an ice-laden roof...

Major Updates: I'm getting the electricity on tomorrow, so we'll see what works. Some rewiring will be necessary for sure, but it'd be nice to have a space heater to take out the chill. It's 25 degrees here and I'm freezing my little piggies off!

Yes, InDEED!

2009-01-06T22:16:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time coming, but I finally have my deed! Silly, because I bought the house in October and am just getting license to enter...right in time for the coldest weather to hit. Imagine if I were moving into the house today--there is no way I could get the heat going on day one, even with a perfectly intact and up to date system! So I would have to suffer through a few nights of deathly cold! And that's assuming I didn't need to replace any radiators, boilers, etc. (which I probably will have to do). Perhaps the city needs to consider changing the time of the foreclosure auction to spring so that people have ample time to get their homes back online before the Buffalo winter hits?

Anyway, I took an initial look around and found...a MESS. The previous owners/renters left all their junk on the second floor, complete with year and a half old birthday cake! And the fridge? ...ew. I opened it to inspect and a round of gagging ensued. I spent an entire day just cleaning all the garbage out so now I can actually start the huge task of rehabbing.

BUT--luckily my house is in remarkably great shape! There isn't major major structural damage, I'm only missing about 6ft. of piping, and it looks as though I have nice wood floors that just need a little TLC. I even have a wonderful set of pocket doors and a newly refinished bathroom! All in all, the house has 6 small bedrooms, two floors, two bathrooms, an attic, a basement, two kitchens, a porch to sit on, and a big backyard for my garden! Can't wait to start getting my hands dirty, learning the basics of housing rehab...

Billed for...nothing.

2008-12-28T23:30:00.000-05:00

I got hit with a water bill a few weeks back--$90 per quarter, sewer maintenance fee. The bill, printed on official letterhead containing the seal of the City of Buffalo, read:

Dear MEGAN G MCNALLY:

According to the City of Buffalo Tax Department the above listed property was purchased at the October 2008 foreclosure sale.

The flat or metered rate account balance owed prior to the October 2008 sale, has been removed and the mailing information has been updated.

For metered accounts a final meter reading may be needed in order to properly adjust the bill.

Please call Customer Service if there are any questions regarding this account.

The actual water bill was on another sheet of paper. Included was a confusing list of what seemed like 20 different rates, the amount of water usage (which for me was zero), and an estimated water bill. My question was...did I actually have to pay it? The people at the foreclosure sale told me that from day one I'd be liable for anything to do with my house, but it was December 22nd and I had yet to receive any deed stating I was the rightful owner to any property. And how can you be hit with bills if you can't actually claim ownership?

I assumed that there was no way to avoid this fee and that I'd just have to pay it, but I figured I'd call the water authority just to make sure. Well, the woman who answered the phone wasn't positive about the fee, but told me that I would most likely be required to pay it because the city had already reduced my bill since the foreclosure sale (the previous owner owed ~$1500). I politely asked if she could check with someone who could provide a more definitive answer. She put me on hold for about 5 minutes, talking to a superior of some sort. Upon returning, she was flustered and said something to the effect of:

"Oh well, we wouldn't normally do this but....I mean, since you don't officially have the deed yet...well, my manager says we aren't technically allowed to charge you so...your fee will be waived until the next quarter."

It was like they were doing me a huge favor by waiving the fee, when really shouldn't they not have charged me in the first place?? This is one instance where it seems like the water authority gets away with charging people incorrectly. It really makes me irritated because I know that probably 95% of the population would assume that the water authority knows what they're doing, it's a quarterly charge, there's no getting around it, and they would end up giving them the $90! And in my neighborhood, who can afford to dish out $90 for a bill that isn't even legitimate??

It's totally not fair because I can guarantee that most people
a) would have paid unnecessarily
b) would not think/know to call and question the bill
c) would have had to pay regardless because the workers probably decided on a whim to waive the fee, based on my politeness and the fact that it was the holiday season!

I guess I'm slowly but surely learning about home ownership...but if I can't figure this stuff out and am encountering problems, wouldn't you say that there is something fundamentally wrong with the system? At least in my neighborhood it sets a person up for paying fees which they can't afford to pay, causing them to have liens on their property, leading to foreclosures and ever increasing urban blight. Now, that may seem a little overdramatic when just talking water bills, but add up all the fees, utilities costs, taxes, etc etc and you can see how this can negatively impact a neighborhood!

Community is about taking care of one another.

2008-12-01T11:38:00.001-05:00

I suppose you've all heard the news of the person getting trampled in the Black Friday rush last week; consumerism triumphed over the would-be helpers in the situation, forcing them away from the poor fellow being crushed by the stampede of post Thanksgiving shoppers. I read this in the newspaper and was sickened. Isn't the holiday about being thankful for what we have and about helping others? How can we ever build a united community if we are trampling over one another, just anxious to get ahead? Just anxious to buy that silly toy or one more pair of pants? After reading the horrifying news in the paper I thought I needed to share an update. One which involves taking care of community members and the joy that results in giving just for giving sake...minus all the consumerism bs.

I visited my house the other day; I checked up on it and added a little christmas cheer (there is now a huge snowman smiling in the window!). I was just about to leave when a guy in his late twenties came up to me. He had heard that I was doing a housing rehab project and wondered if he could help me out for a little extra cash now and then. Well, I think that when you're part of a community, you gotta support each other. So after talking for a minute, we decided he would shovel the sidewalks when it snowed and check on the house while I am away at school in return for some money. This a) gets rid of my worries surrounding upkeep of the house and b) helps my neighbor out, so it is mutually beneficial. This is EXACTLY what we as a society need to be doing more of! Helping neighbors out, talking to each other, developing relationships, etc.

Where I used to live no one spoke to each other...you got home and entered your house, never saying hello to people in the surrounding houses. I felt a real disconnect--it took a move to a more social neighborhood to realize what great relationships communities have to offer! We should go against this habit of non-communication and reach out to our neighbors, get to know the friendly and interesting people living around us! We all have stories to tell and each of us has value within our society. This house and this project was started because I see a need for myself and others in the community to come together and just talk to each other, so hopefully getting my path shoveled by a neighbor is only the beginning...

The second part of my update is about giving. There's that old folk tale about the little red hen. Little Red Hen does all the work around the house and makes some bread. She works for hours and hours with no one helping her, and even though no one helped her get all the ingredients or do all the baking, Little Red Hen still shares the bread with everyone in the end. It's like giving a cup of sugar to your neighbor--not because you expect repayment, not because you can then hold something over their head, but just because. The same lucky day I found help with shoveling the sidewalks, I also got the chance to give a gift...just because.

Oddly enough, I had a poinsettia in my car. Now, I don't just go around carrying poinsettias, but for some reason I had one. I had just finished making arrangements for shoveling my sidewalk when the woman from across the street walked over. I had met her before and we had become good friends over the summer. She was always outside cheering me up when I was sweaty and grumpy after a day working in the community gardens down the street. While telling her about my rehab project and what I planned on doing with the house, I suddenly thought of the poinsettia in my car. What does a college kid need with a poinsettia? I'd probably forget to water it... Anyway, I gave the poinsettia to my neighbor, just because. She was so surprised and happy, and then I realized, you know what? It isn't about the giving...it's about not expecting something in return and giving just because you're neighbors. It's about making friends with the people around you and supporting one another. With both neighbors that day I learned it's about making ties--making relationships so that when you need help, people will be there for you. It may not be enough to rebuild a community yet, but like I said before, it's definitely a start.

Giving thanks...thanks for giving!

2008-12-01T00:34:00.000-05:00

It's a little past Thanksgiving, but I just wanted to extend a heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed to the project thus far. Thanks for making this possible. Of course, you are all invited to stop by the house to attend a workshop or potluck and receive a grand tour! Without your contributions I would still be at school next semester, not pursuing something I care so deeply about. So this Thanksgiving I am thankful for all the wonderfully supportive people who have contributed money, time, advice and their superb ideas...you've really made a difference.

A first look at the house...!

2008-11-18T23:24:00.000-05:00

I went home this weekend for the Great Lakes Building ReUse Conference and had my first look at my newly purchased house!

Purchasing a house through a foreclosure auction is kind of crazy--you know which houses are available, but you're essentially bidding on a house that you've never been in before! Taking chances, hoping there's not something seriously wrong with the house. You pay the house in full and then have to wait for the city to process your paperwork before you can get the deed. Supposedly the deed comes within 6-8 weeks of paying, but with these types of things you never know.

It all seems a bit ridiculous to me. The foreclosure auction is in October, so if you purchase a house, you will be working on it in the dead of winter with potentially no heat, no electricity, no running water, etc. You are liable for the property from the date of purchase, yet, you have no deed until months later? The house has to survive the winter when you probably haven't winterized it? Everything about the foreclosure auction seems to set up a new homeowner to fail. Why not make it easier on folks and have the auction in March, speed up the paperwork and provide incentives for people to take on a vacant house?

Anyway, the house looks like it's in great shape. The insurance agent came and took a look around and said the structure is amazingly very sound. Yay!! One less worry on my part. It's great--these old houses last forever. High quality wood, well built...it's lasted a century and will hopefully last plenty years more!

The joys of insurance

2008-10-31T12:15:00.000-04:00

Today I discovered the reality of owning a house. I suppose I had some vague idea of the insurance web that I would be entangled in, but three different insurance policies on one house/rehab venture??

1. Home owner's insurance. Makes sense--it would be terrible if the house suddenly burned down and I didn't have it insured. It'd put a definite damper on the project.

2. Liability insurance. You know, for the random passerby who's looking at the newly installed rain catchment/greywater recycling system and isn't paying attention to the fact that the sidewalk has actually come alive and mysteriously decided to attack his/her left foot, latching on so the person smashes face first into the ground, knocking out two front teeth and having the angle of their ankle oddly resemble L'Arc de Triomphe.

3. Liability insurance#2. If you are ever thinking about involving the community(heaven forbid), be sure to insure yourself because when someone hits themselves with a hammer while working on your property, you're at fault. Who knew you could be responsible for other people's mistakes?

So I was on the phone with the insurance company for about an hour, explaining how I need insurance, but with the way the in rem auction and deed transfer works I technically don't get the deed for another month. Yet according to the city of Buffalo, even without the deed I am responsible for the property? Weird. Anyway, after all of this the insurance guy asked me, "You stressed yet?"

To that I simply replied, "it's all a learning experience." Now I know--insurance is a necessary evil. At least I'm warned for the next time I want to purchase/rehab a house.

Defining the "problem"

2008-10-23T13:11:00.000-04:00

So we all know that Buffalo gets a bad rap. I tell people at school I'm from Buffalo and the responses I typically get are "Oh, you must like snow..." or "how does it feel to have your sports teams ALMOST win?" and the occasional "that's so close to us here in NYC, you must go home often!"

Well, I happen to love all four seasons of Buffalo weather, I hate when the Sabres and the Bills lose (but they won't this year!), and if you didn't know, Buffalo is 400 miles away on the other side of the state (totally separate from NYC), so no, I do not go home as often as I'd like.

Anyway, all this to say--Buffalo's reputation precedes it in one way or another, and oftentimes the reputation is not a very good one. Unfortunately this negativity seems to affect Buffalonians' opinions, causing a "poor us" mentality which, more often than not, results in pessimism and an action gridlock on many social issues and city plans. We begin to think that solutions are hard to come by and frankly not worth the time it would take in years of bickering. This is especially the case with the current housing crisis.

An estimated 40,000 houses lie vacant in Buffalo. Forty thousand! If an average family of four occupied each of those homes, Buffalo's population would rise 160,000 from under 300,000 to over ~450,000! Clearly this will not happen if there continues to be suburban sprawl and a lack of jobs, so that still leaves us with a considerable housing problem. What should we do with these properties? Should we demolish/deconstruct all of them? Rehab them?

To be sure, it must be a combination of many strategies. To say that rehabbing is the only answer is unrealistic given our decreasing population (who would move into all these homes?), but to say that a good plan is getting rid of all the structures and throwing them into landfills is equally as out of touch with reality. Adopting a middle of the road policy and allowing for both downsizing and revitalizing is the strategy I believe Buffalo must take.

I have chosen housing rehabilitation as my contribution to the solution. A small part of my decision was to see one less house demolished. The old homes in Buffalo are gorgeous if you put a little time and effort into them! I also decided to tackle this project given chats I had with friends, relatives, neighbors this summer. What I often found when talking with them was that people (including me!) just don't know how to maintain their homes. If you have enough money then sure, you can pay someone else to worry about it, but a) not everyone can afford to do so, and b) if everyone did that, no one would take pride in and feel connected to their neighborhoods! This makes up the second component of my project: offering the house as a learning space where workshops are offered on everything from home repairs to basic maintenance to lawn/garden creation. Lastly, my decision to start this project stemmed from my belief that there are answers to the housing crisis that we haven't even dreamed up yet. My thinking is, if I can provide this house as an open slate to try anything on--invite people with new ideas, new technologies, new rehab techniques, variations on traditional methods--then perhaps we can work collaboratively and arrive at a solution that makes sense!

Step One: Buy a house!

2008-10-21T21:16:00.000-04:00

Hello and welcome! In the future this is where I will be posting updates on the progress of my project. The first update I have is really really exciting news--today I purchased a house through the foreclosure auction! The house is a cute little two-family dwelling on the east side of Buffalo. It has been unoccupied for over a year and needs a lot of work, but it definitely has character! The current plan for this house is to use it as a learning center for the community--anything from home repairs to gardening workshops will be hosted there in order to teach about basic home maintenance, food security, and sustainability. I chose the name Buffalo Basics for this blog/project because I think that it is important to stress the need for "going back to the basics." As a society it seems we have lost these things that were once common knowledge, so I believe it is important that we return to the basics of home ownership and food sustainability if we are to envision a better Buffalo community. In my next post I will explain the hows and whys of this project, the impact I see it having, and how you can be involved.

Until then,
Megan