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Scaffolding.

SagatSagat
edited January 2012 in General Banter
So, after three long years of waiting and having to de-mildew the walls every week (and having to keep all furniture away from walls and windows open even in winter) the council have finally come to fix the drafty roof.

They've set up a scaffold that covers three sides of the house. I have this nagging feeling to climb it every time I see it.. which is every time I look out the window.

Because most people have this urge to climb them, they've made it unclimbable with all the fences and gates at the top. But there's still a part of me trying to make me climb it and I don't know if I should. I think I could get past that stuff, but then there's the part saying "Don't be a retard...". I don't know.

I think if I don't climb it, then I'll regret it. 16 year old me would have climbed it.

Comments

  • personperson Don't believe everything you think The liminal space Veteran
    The reason they block it all off isn't because its particularly dangerous, its that if someone does climb it and hurts themselves they can protect themselves from a lawsuit saying they did their utmost in prevention.
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    in some rural parts of china, they use bamboo poles as scaffolding, slung together with ropes... they run along them, and the connecting platforms - also made of bamboo - like wild, barefoot monkeys....
    image

    no health and safety issues there. if they fall - they die. or at the very least, lose their livelihood....no insurance or company policy.....

    don't be an eeedjit.
  • ArjquadArjquad Veteran
    ...climb it...you know you want to...as do I...
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    I just hope they do a proper job of fixing the roof. Enough of having to live like that, already! The council members should be required to live in a place like that for a couple of weeks, then you'd see how long it took to get to the top of the waiting list for repairs!

    In the US, you could have sued them for "cruel and unusual punishment"--it's unconstitutional, seriously! :rant:
  • SagatSagat
    I just hope they do a proper job of fixing the roof. Enough of having to live like that, already! The council members should be required to live in a place like that for a couple of weeks, then you'd see how long it took to get to the top of the waiting list for repairs!

    In the US, you could have sued them for "cruel and unusual punishment"--it's unconstitutional, seriously! :rant:
    The council are notorious for being crap in this country. It's low income housing, you can either pay a contractor, or you can wait for us to do it.

    I wanted to get a job with the council. Its easy. Just chill and work whenever you feel like it. But I think I have a bit too much of a work ethic to work for them. It'd be nice to stroll into work at 10am, but strolling into work every few months is just a tad too lazy for my taste...
  • vinlynvinlyn Colorado...for now Veteran
    in some rural parts of china, they use bamboo poles as scaffolding, slung together with ropes... they run along them, and the connecting platforms - also made of bamboo - like wild, barefoot monkeys....
    image

    no health and safety issues there. if they fall - they die. or at the very least, lose their livelihood....no insurance or company policy.....

    don't be an eeedjit.
    In Thailand,too...even right in Bangkok. And lots of them climb around on it just wearing clogs or barefoot.

  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    Hey, here's a new career idea for you: after you come back from your military svce, you'll have that on your record, proof that you're a fine, upstanding, patriotic sort, just the kind of background voters like in their councilmembers. You could run, and if you get it, shake the place up. Actually listen to your constituents, and try to make some positive changes. Give the slackers a run for their money. Really have some fun kicking a**. You might even attract media attention. Be outspoken, play it for all it's worth. Then, if it doesn't work out, you can switch to Plan B: university studies. In the meantime, you'll have that nice salary from the council saved away for college.
  • DandelionDandelion London Veteran
    So, after three long years of waiting and having to de-mildew the walls every week (and having to keep all furniture away from walls and windows open even in winter) the council have finally come to fix the drafty roof.

    They've set up a scaffold that covers three sides of the house. I have this nagging feeling to climb it every time I see it.. which is every time I look out the window.

    Because most people have this urge to climb them, they've made it unclimbable with all the fences and gates at the top. But there's still a part of me trying to make me climb it and I don't know if I should. I think I could get past that stuff, but then there's the part saying "Don't be a retard...". I don't know.

    I think if I don't climb it, then I'll regret it. 16 year old me would have climbed it.
    (Puzzled) Can you elaborate on your urge to climb it? I look at those things and feel fear at the thought of climbing them!
    I guess, if the scaffolding wasn't there, then the urge wouldn't be there; it's not something you were considering before the scaffolding arrived (I assume), I get the same with chocolate biscuits. If they are in my flat I HAVE TO HAVE THEM. So, I don't buy them (everyday) but I guess you can't just take the scaffolding down so I see your dilemma.
    Stay strong!
  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    ...climb it...you know you want to...as do I...
    Do it! Do it! Do it!
    say hello to jesus for me..

    J/k
  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    @dandelion...ok, i'm gonna find you in that uptight little gray town you call home and push you out of a plane.....

    Skydiving!
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    @dandelion...ok, i'm gonna find you in that uptight little gray town you call home and push you out of a plane.....
    Skydiving!
    ??

  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    @dakini...inside joke
  • SpinyNorman2SpinyNorman2
    16 year old me would have climbed it.
    Go on, have some fun!

    Spiny
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    ....Of course, there is the danger that if the local council find out you've been on the scaffolding, they will advise you to continue the practice.... and to do the bloody work yourself, then......
    i wouldn't put it past them!! :D
  • AMHAMH

    My first thought on this topic was educational, like scaffolding knowledge of the sutras. Well I was pretty far off.

    I am 45 and I might climb it, but not if they put me to work
  • SagatSagat

    My first thought on this topic was educational, like scaffolding knowledge of the sutras. Well I was pretty far off.

    I am 45 and I might climb it, but not if they put me to work
    Sorry to disappoint.
  • auraaura Veteran
    The thing about scaffolding is that the rungs are round and very far apart, and that the whole thing moves/sways quite a lot when you climb it, even if they did a fairly good job of leveling it when they put in the bottom course. (Did they put it up properly? They don't always...). Putting it up and taking it down is the dangerous part.
    If they put it up right, it certainly beats a ladder...
    the view from up there is interesting...
    but you might be horrified by what that roof actually looks like up close...especially those rusted flashings. Make sure they replace and install those flashings properly; they are the biggest problem!

    If they are not replacing the flashings, you really want to climb up into the attic crawl space under the roof. That view from underneath the roof would be much more telling... bring a camera... and threaten them with legal action if they are not going to replace those bad flashings!
    Particularly when you've had a terrible moisture problem, bad flashings are pretty much guaranteed.
    Are they putting insulation in under the roof?
    Hope so! But make sure they vent those roof soffits properly... like the professionals they supposedly are!
    Don't go near any insulation without wearing hooded tyvek coveralls, goggles, and a respirator and some planking that you can crawl on to lay across the trusses.
    Been there, done that, got the t shirt.
    Way too much fun...
  • personperson Don't believe everything you think The liminal space Veteran
    Good points @aura

    Proper flashing, venting, and caulking are the key points to a good roof. The application of shingles and an underlayment are the easy parts.
  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    edited January 2012
    Het, a Buddhist site that gives sound construction advice--who knew?

    I'm more interested in the ghost report, myself. Any sightings lately, Sagat?
  • SpinyNorman2SpinyNorman2
    Proper flashing, venting, and caulking are the key points to a good roof.

    I was doing a roofing job once, and a woman came out of the next door house and said:
    "Could you please remove that scaffold pole from my back passage."

    Strange but true...
    :p
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