Do we have any architects here?

[DREDIOCK]

I have a question

And I want to pick someone to haunt when this house Im currently working on kills me.

And do you ever wonder how many people you've gotten killed because while the design looks really cool. It is done as such that there was no way of performing maintenance on certain areas without placing excessive risk to ones life?

[lasersailor184]

Originally posted by DREDIOCK
I have a question

And I want to pick someone to haunt when this house Im currently working on kills me.

And do you ever wonder how many people you've gotten killed because while the design looks really cool. It is done as such that there was no way of performing maintenance on certain areas without placing excessive risk to ones life?

Usually the roof is pretty hard to work on.  But this goes for most houses...

[ramzey]

Originally posted by DREDIOCK
I have a question

And I want to pick someone to haunt when this house Im currently working on kills me.

And do you ever wonder how many people you've gotten killed because while the design looks really cool. It is done as such that there was no way of performing maintenance on certain areas without placing excessive risk to ones life?

architects are forced to walk with safety codes, cuz they project are inspected by city

aren't you referring to contractors who build not always safe things cuz owner like to have it that way?

[lasersailor184]

Originally posted by ramzey
architects are forced to walk with safety codes, cuz they project are inspected by city

aren't you referring to contractors who build not always safe things cuz owner like to have it that way?

And the inherent distrust of contractors for no real reason shows itself within 3 posts.

[DREDIOCK]

you hit the nail on the head.

Often the roof looks worse then it actually is.

 Or particularly on some of the older houses it is designed in such a way that there is a way to get there. Or a way to hook up a chicken ladder to make these areas accessable with reasonable safety
This house its actually worse then it looks. And there is no way to get there

In this case there are 2 dormers and 2 chimneys that need to be painted.
Neither has a safe way to access them. the roof peak is too high for a chicken ladder. And there is nothing to tie off onto to rig up a safety harness.

As a test I tried getting up on one portion where I would have something to grab onto if I slipped.

Good thing I did because thats exactly what happened...several times.

Problem is where I need to do the work there is nothing to grab onto. and I have to go up there with two separate colors of paint.

I've done literally at least a hundred houses in the last 30 years. including working as a steeple jack.

And I swear the new designs they are coming out with are THE most dangerous to try and work on.
Unlike the old timers these new designers are giving no forethought into accessing areas that might need to be maintained.
the old timers would design a house so that yea there might be some danger or it might be a pain in the arse. But you could at least get to them.
Or if you couldnt get to them they were made in such a way (read Brick) to never need maintenance for years and years..and YEARS.

If all I had to do was go up there with a hammer I'd say maybe. It would be hairy as hell. But ok. But I'd still prefer to have a chicken ladder hooked over the top for safety.

But having to go up there with anything more the a very basic handtool that you can put in a pocket or pouch leaving both hands free....
Stupidly dangerous.

The only idea I've come up with so far is to hook up a rope over the rooftop and tie off on the other side and do it like a mountain climber.

but that still leaves me with the problem of having to get the paint up there. And one slip and I have a roof coated in beige paint.

That is only the worst of numerous design flaws I am finding on these newer house designs . All which LOOK great. They just dont work in a practical sense for maintaining the structure.

Another is having one of the lower porch roofs extending out so far that you cant place a ladder against the top of the house at a safe angle. And the pitch of even that roof is so steep that you cant place a ladder on that as I would normally do

Still with a little imagination and "some" risk there are ways around that as well.
I've figured workarounds for almost every one of these screwed up designs save for the two chimneys and 2 of the 3 dormers I have to get at.

I am just at a loss as to how to get at them without placing my life in very serious jeopardy.

Now Im no stranger to danger. And I will take risks alot of folks would have nightmares about.
But this one gives even me nightmares.

I've done all kinds of buildings. Been in all sortes of dangerous situations at work.
Been as high as 10 stories.

None have made me as nervous as this one

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by ramzey
architects are forced to walk with safety codes, cuz they project are inspected by city

aren't you referring to contractors who build not always safe things cuz owner like to have it that way?

the structure itself is safe. Its not going to fall down. or apart which is what most codes are designed to protects against.

In this case its  obviously by design because its repeated tooo many times in the exacts same way to be somethign blamed on teh contractors.

I know the type of stuff your talking about. and usually you see the error in one or two places only. NOT perfectly repeated to exactig measures throughout the structure.

Again it LOOKs great. Just little to no thought was given in how to get at certain areas to maintain them with anything resembling reasonable safety.

In looking throughout the neighborhood there are a few others with similar designs. So that removes the question that it was the customer that wanted it that way. Or the contractor screwing up on one house.

I've complained several times about architects designs. From the flat roofs that always leak to now this.
and they always come back with the same lame excuse.
"Its the contractor"

BS

I have YET to see a building with a flat roof that didnt leak. and I find it really hard to beleive that ALL contractors use inferiour material.

And to date I am seeing more and more of these newers designs on houses that arent exeedingly dangerous or excessivly difficult to try and maintain

I find it REALLY difficult to beleive that ALL or even most of the contractors are screwing up with the designs.

I find it MUCH easier to beleive that next to no thought is given to how something is going to be maintained after its built. So long as it "looks good" and meets code.

End result is your probably getting people killed in your arrogance because people like me have no choice but to live or die with your "brilliant" designs because no matter what you deal us. the job still has to get done.

Why on earth would you put a painted stucco chimney with wood trim  on a roof that is barely safe enough to walk on when carrying a hammer on your belt and both hands free?

It can be built safely that way yes.
But after its up.
It still has to be maintained.

[lasersailor184]

I was actually just making a joke about you.  I guess it's better to be lucky than good.



Anyway, if you're not going with a Chicken ladder, you could try those steps you nail into the roof.  If you don't want to that, the only other real option is scaffolding.

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by lasersailor184
I was actually just making a joke about you.  I guess it's better to be lucky than good.



Anyway, if you're not going with a Chicken ladder, you could try those steps you nail into the roof.  If you don't want to that, the only other real option is scaffolding.

I'd thought about those steps.
Never used them before.
Never had to

Concern with that is by nailing them up. Wont I be poking holes in the roof where water can get in?

thought about scaffolding.
Not really an option to to a deck design on the side of the house and while it would get me up. it wouldnt get me in to where I need to be.

Ideally a cherrypicker might get me in there but there are seveal rather large trees in the way on one side.
And the house is built on the side of a mountain so the back yard slopes off at a fairly steep angle about 10 feet beyond the end of the deck.

dont think the rental company would really appreciate their truck tipping over and rolling down the side of a mountain.

So far my thinkingis to toss a rope over the top of the house. Tie off onto one of the trees and play mountain climber.
the trick is gettig the paint up ther with me without spilling it all over the place if I slip.
Placing a drop cloth up there really isnt an option because of the shuffle board effect it creates

[Yeager]

"Y'ever been crushed to death Joey?"

"No sir, ive never even been under a house before!"

[gunnss]

I have had to work on some pretty weird stuff too, Insulating blind overhangs at 10 stories etc.

Do you have a fall protection harness? and How much help do you have? Two tie offs would be better with you in the "V" of the rope, but that needs some one as a belay. A harness is a must, it will also allow you to attach tools etc to yourself while you move around. Paint will need to come up seal in its can, mix  stir then seal on the ground and have your belay send it up on a rope, a Gallon at a time if needed.
We are repainting our Microwave comm towers right now and have similar problems, the worst is painting the bottom of the top platform of the tower....
Good luck,
Kevin

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by gunnss
I have had to work on some pretty weird stuff too, Insulating blind overhangs at 10 stories etc.

Do you have a fall protection harness? and How much help do you have? Two tie offs would be better with you in the "V" of the rope, but that needs some one as a belay. A harness is a must, it will also allow you to attach tools etc to yourself while you move around. Paint will need to come up seal in its can, mix  stir then seal on the ground and have your belay send it up on a rope, a Gallon at a time if needed.
We are repainting our Microwave comm towers right now and have similar problems, the worst is painting the bottom of the top platform of the tower....
Good luck,
Kevin

The highest I've ever worked on was this building
Tuck pointing,A 100% recaulk and waterseal of the

Perth Amboy National bank



On the side of the building you cant see in this pic is a blind wall.
That is, a side that has no windows.
I've climbed off the roof of that thing and down 4 stories to get on a swing scaffold.
Using only a rope and no safety harness
But that was 23 years ago  when I was much younger and as such thought myself immortal and wouldnt hessitate about taking stupid risks like that.
And I didnt have to worry about carrying anything but me down that rope LOL

I'm working on the current house by myself.
But now I'm thinking of calling in a buddy of mine who is also a contractor and used to also work with me for the same company way back then.

Between the two of us we should be able to figure something out.
And If I happen to drop I'll at least have someone there to call the paramedics to tell the tale LOL

It just pisses me off when I come across these designs where you can tell that little to no forethought was given into how to maintain it after its up.
Amd I see it more and more with the newer designs then the older ones. particularly on houses.

On the older designs there is usually a way. Often only 1 way and that way is a PIA but there is a way.
I've even seen some that had tie offs in strategically located places.
but these newer ones..NADA.
No forethought at all given

And it pisses me off even more when I hear them try to consistantly blame the builder.
When I know damn well that that usually isnt the case.
Now once in a while one of the workers may screw up. on one particular section. But rarely on an entire house. and even less from house to house to house on a consistant basis as it usually gets caught somewhere along the line because something doesnt meet up properly because of it.

Now what I have seen on a fairly consistant basis. Is builders say "Well I dont think its such a good idea. But thats the way they drew it up. Thats the way they insist on having it. So thats the way we will build it."

Now dont get me wrong. I've seen plenty of contractor screw ups.
But they are usually unique per house. And not something that repeats from building to building to building