Shop recovery: Day One

We gained access to John's flood-damaged shop yesterday morning. This shot shows how water-logged plywood landed akimbo on the top of John's table saw, warping the cast iron frame. The saw - and much of the heavy equipment and fixtures throughout the shop - is a total loss.

Our first task was to dispose of water-logged plywood. Plywood absorbs water like a sponge and cannot be restored to usable form. I was astonished at how fast mold formed on most of the material.

John has an extraordinary collection of woods. He buys wood much like a oenophile buys and cellars wines. Our goal was - and is - to remove the high-value hardwood from the shop. Hardwood, unlike plywood, can be used if washed carefully and allowed to dry. We've cleared at least 800 square feet in our Annex building and outfitted it with fans and dehumidifiers. We'll be extracting hardwood and transporting it in John's van to the house. We're organizing volunteers to help this weekend - because the faster this happens, the better the wood retains its value.

Once the shop's cleared out, John's landlords (the Thorland Company) have already arranged to have the building cleaned, sanitized, and outfitted again for occupancy. They've been extraordinarily helpful to all their tenants. They've rebated rent since the flood began and will not charge rent until the spaces are fully rehabbed and ready. Bob Chadima, the spry octogenarian who heads up Thorland, visited each of us yesterday to assure us that they are doing everything humanly possible - and I have complete confidence in them to get things ready for us.

I've created a photo log of our progress at restoring the shop.

Here's a video of our work yesterday, and some shots of the flood-ravaged area. Particularly hard hit was our friend Morgan Karns's precision machine shop - awash in oil and sludge.

Comments

[Kathleen]

Ye Gods...
Nobody EVER realizes the extent of damage that Mother Nature or bombs can wreak - it's almost unfathomable for the mind as we continually try to restore order to our sense of persepcetive. I am SO SORRY about the devastation for all of you in Iowa, and if I were there, I'd be down with my gloves and waders on to lend a hand. Since I can't do that - my prayers are with you!