Hoarding - Springing Ahead

GreyQueen

noelphobic wrote: »

I've had major problems with damp. I don't think it was directly caused by the sheer volume of stuff that I have but it certainly hasn't helped. I had to replace two kitchen cupboards and I now keep less stuff in there.

Although my flat is warm and snug, I did have a small issue with damp caused by (and this took some tracking down by first a plumber then a surveyor, good job I rent) a very slight water leak under the bath where the pipes from the flat above came down through mine.

The surveyor did note on his report that there was a lack of clutter in the bedroom (as in this being a plus) , and a convo with another surveyor also indicated that this can make a difference. I have also known childrens' rooms to have a problem where the underbed area is stuffed sideways-to-sunday with stuff and the head of the bed is against an outside wall.

Mould likes darkness, still air and a bit of damp, so if you can make every effort to deprive it of those things, plus clean it off with a proprietory mould-killer (bleach or hot soapy water won't kill it), you'll be on the right track.

Have to go to w*rk today which is a bummer as I'd rather be making laundry bags. I do like the look of a well-organised laundry cupboard, it makes me feel all domestic and on top of my game. I'm so known for sorting these things out that Mum lets me loose on her laundry cupboard from time to time. I have introduced her to the idea of rolling towels rather than folding them in stacks. In a small area it makes them much easier to drag outta there.

Hokay, brekkie, then dress and out to w*rk. Have done the ironing this morning as it was too wet last night. Get me!

whitewing

I sorted out some receipts last night into their correct month. Told DH off for not using coupons while they were in date. So a small pile of shredded stuff too. It's definitely a job I could do an hour at a time if I set my mind to it.

noelphobic

GreyQueen wrote: »

Although my flat is warm and snug, I did have a small issue with damp caused by (and this took some tracking down by first a plumber then a surveyor, good job I rent) a very slight water leak under the bath where the pipes from the flat above came down through mine.

The surveyor did note on his report that there was a lack of clutter in the bedroom (as in this being a plus) , and a convo with another surveyor also indicated that this can make a difference. I have also known childrens' rooms to have a problem where the underbed area is stuffed sideways-to-sunday with stuff and the head of the bed is against an outside wall.

Mould likes darkness, still air and a bit of damp, so if you can make every effort to deprive it of those things, plus clean it off with a proprietory mould-killer (bleach or hot soapy water won't kill it), you'll be on the right track.

Mine had multiple causes, not helped by all the clutter! I've had the guttering replaced and some pointing done on one of the walls. There was also a leak from my washing machine and there was a leak in the bathroom at one time. The leaks were 'hidden' though so had gone on for some time. None of these problems were helped by a succession of cowboy builders (don't get me started on that!)


I had a couple of people out from damp companies and, predictably, they both said a lot of work needed doing. One of them didn't post me an estimate and I never heard from him again - visiting my house has that effect on people! The other one did give me a quote but his stationery claimed that he was a member of a trade organisation and when I checked it out I found that he wasn't! I did consider getting a surveyor in but I had my usual problem of being too ashamed of the house to let anyone visit and feeling too overwhelmed to do anything about it. I also knew it would be hard to do a proper survey and identify the problem when there was so much clutter.


I am hoping that the work I've had done has been enough to stop it getting worse and that it will continue to dry out, especially when the warmer weather arrives. I have a little gadget that measures humidity levels. When I first started using it the reading was constantly at 99%. It now shows at around 70% and if it gets any higher I put the dehumidifier on until it goes down again.

noelphobic

Feeling really discouraged at the moment. Finally made a path to the airing cupboard but discovered there was more in there than I thought there was. Some of it was in vacuum bags but the air had got to them. Not sure whether the seal had broke or the bags had small tears in them. Tried resealing them but my hoover died on me. It was very full so I emptied it. Took me ages to work out how to put it back together and then it still wouldn't work. it says in the manual that it might 'trip' and should work again after an hour, if that's the case. If it doesn't work I'll have to look for a new one. For the price of them these days, and the cost of repairs, it doesn't make sense to do anything else. I just need to make sure that, if I do get a new one, I get rid of the old one straight away. In one of my previous clearout attempts I had 3 hoovers, only one of which worked. When my son suggested getting rid of the Dyson I actually said 'I'm not ready to let it go yet'. it's times like that I know that I've got a problem! I did let it go eventually though!


One the plus side, a charity bag has been put through the door and will be collected on Wednesday morning. I still have one from a previous occasion so they will be going out for collection on Tuesday night. I also came across my original birth certificate, which will come in handy for my DBS check on Wednesday - another problem with clutter is that I am constantly mislaying things, sometimes important documents!

kayester

I feel like giving up. I fee like ive taken one step forward and three steps back. Not doing well with my diet, and really regretting the pizza I just ate!!
House is bad, ive hoovered round every room today but every room needs a deep clean.
Attic- toys EVERYWHERE again!!! It needs a good sort and not safe for kids to play in there at minute, ive literally shoved everything to one side of the room in order to hoover what I can.
I just cant bare to start in there right now so ive closed the door.
Bathroom needs a good clean, ive hoovered in there today and going to attempt to deep clean and sort out old/unused toiletries tomorrow.
Kids bedroom- looks tidy on the offset but then you open the drawers and wardrobe and everything falls out, which is a task in itself! Need to sort out what doesnt fit any more and iron the rest!!
My bedroom, im not even gunna go there.....i really should do something there though as its last thing I see at night and first thing in the morning. My get up and go was last seen in there a long time ago!!!
Kitchen is poor, pots get done a few times a day but cupboards need a good sort and its going to take ages.
Dining room is ok as there nothing in there apart from a table.
Room isnt too bad, just kids things dotted about.
School run soon so wont be doing anything else today (i kind of give up when it gets dark!!)

whitewing

I am having the worse day at work than I've had in a long, long time. So I think it's just something in the air today. Everyone is so strapped for cash.

Anyway, I am going to get on with my typing as when that's done there will be 18 sheets of paper gone.

I think today is going to be a 'get through it' day. I am not even going to attempt to make it better.

Clytemnestra

Delurking to send hugs to those who are having a bad day. I don't usually post, but follow this thread and have been finding it really inspirational. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to post. We will all get there in the end

whitewing

We like delurkers with postive words and virtual hugs - I feel better already!

GreyQueen

Afternoon all.

(((noelphobic))) wanted to share a wee story in case it might be relevent to your vacuum cleaner issue.

Went to visit my parents' and was surprised to find their Henry vacuum cleaner, which they got after I got mine, standing in their porch. When I asked, it had suddenly stopped working, Mum had changed the fuse to no avail and it was now waiting until they could get it to the tip.

I begged her to let me buy a new pkt of 13 amp fuses (51p for 4 at Wilko) because I was suspicious that the ones in the existing pkt at home - of dubious antiquity - might be duff.

Vac started first time. Mum had never cleaned the filter (the Henry has a washable one), the filter pores had got blocked, the motor had overheated as a result and the fuse had blown for safety.

Is it just possible that your vac (whatever make) might have had something similar happen? Would it be worth trying it? I gave Mum's Henry a good servicing, by cleaning everything which could be cleaned, allowing it to dry and reassembling it and it runs like a dream.

A relative of mine used to have a nice little sideline in picking up old vacuums for free or nearly free and sorting them out. There aren't too many things to go wrong with most of them (like lamps, really) and why not have a fiddle once you've disconnected it from the plug socket?

I mean, if you think it's bust and you need another one, what have you got to lose but your time? And think of the sense of mastery you will feel if you do get it up and running again. Frugal Queen once blogged about how she and her hubs got a working vac by cannibalising the best parts of two Dyson and I bet there's resources on the web.

Incidentally, if you come across a non-working coffee maker or similar water using appliance which has been used in a hardwater area, they can often be revived by nothing more than a limescale treatment. As told to me by someone who used to buy "broken" ones at booters and re-sell them once the limescale had been removed.

I'm chilling with a cuppa (or warming with a cuppa, really) then will get the sewing machine out ON THE TABLE WOT IS STILL CLEAR and do a little mending job. If I feel up to it, I may even start into laundry bag manufacture............

Nice to have you wishing us well, Clytemnestra, and here's hoping your decluttering journey goes well for you.

Picklepot

Hello lovely people!

I have just lost an entire post! Still just bobbed into say for those of you who are having a bad day

Take care and be kind to yourself x

My one item a day has filled a charity bag! Although i have not mentioned it to the family i have noticed they are putting things in there too!!

I hope the pickly household is starting to move out of its 'stuck place'