That drain outpoured the dirty water

One year ago the drainage challenge made itself known. Even through all the times it rained, poured down, or just down pored, there were leaks above the inside walkway.

Today, on inspection the dirt and debris from the tile roof and trees around was found to have blocked the side garden's drain.  the hose went into the gutter drain The hose was running already. Okay the drainage hose was competing with the washing machine water.

Yesterday, the gutter on the other side of the downpipe was cleared. Mud, leaves and twigs came out. Water on the other hand went and flushed what little remained away.  

Great to hear the water going down the downpipe.

Where last year there were so many fussy cats left behind on the property what was also in the gutters was a smelly, slushy, totally horrible thing to unexpectedly put your hands into. Bleach and soap washes, hand cream with a better smell applied. Even to the extent of wearing a mash, and a scarf to thought the stink.

Gloves defiantly went on. Plus, a just in case safety mask set were purchased. 

The hardest thing was finding someone to hold the ladder. Eventually my eighty-five year old mum held the ladder. but, even then we had to do this on the quiet. Like when no-one was around.

The explanation went that they were protecting me! Bull! If this was so then they would have cleaned the gutters properly as soon as asked!!

It is known that in order to properly clean cutters the best way to do this is to 'remove the waste in the gutters.'  Downpipes are slightly different. There are machines to do this. Or chemicals.

Well let's just say that two gutters leading to two drain pipes out the back were successfully completed  just as 

•  it began to gently rain.
• a son rocked up in the car parking just on the other side of the roller door.

Yip we smiled quietly. The ladder was away now.  The hose where it could go and be unsuspected - on the garden next to the washing line. The dogs were busy eating... just in case they took the son out to show him our gutter work ands he became suspicious!

Asked the son if he would/could do this the next day... "My mum. A friend and I did this six months ago.

Yeah I remember that they looked in the gutters during what was meant to be summer time. Twigs, which were seen from the foot path, were still sticking out the gutters.

But what was able to be got done was some drain cleaning blue crystal chemical were put into two of the five drains yet to be completed.  

Suffice to say that when people think you cannot do it, ask around, you will find people that know what they are talking about.

• Listen to these people.  
• Then go research on the internet.

Now you know what questions to ask a tradesman.  Also what dot list of job specifications and guidelines to give to that trades man.

This dot point list will include 

• Safety precautions to be taken.
• Request for their insurance policy number.
• The equipment and backup that they have.

With a small amount of research there is the answer. Call in the experts.  They have a vacuum commercial gutter cleaning outfit.  Added bonus is besides the domestic gutter cleaning available the video camera shows where there are leaks, blockages and the trouble cause and effect.

Plus those tiles... well there is the roof repairs and restoration. The re-pointing of the ridge caps  and valley area.  They also have the resources to replace any broken roof tiles.

Additionally Made Easy roofing maintenance has solar panel cleaning.  Therefore they may know where to get a solenoid.  The rental agency sent out a bloke who removed the solenoid instead of replacing it.

Action is better than the stress of living with all three of these things causing stress and trouble in the long run.

Move That Old Garage Door Over There

That aluminium covered, ratty and tatty, door really needed to move. That old garage door. Over there seemed simple enough.  Push, pull, slowly and surely progress of a few meters was made.

Things were actually going well - until, with the slight unbalance, the door went to the left, got jammed and just would not budge.

Meanwhile the dogs watched [amused] from just around the corner. The challenge was there was no-one else available to help move the door.

Time to go do something else

All in Gods plan was muttered.  So the situation was safe, just the door was not moving anywhere fast. 

Enter one son. Bliss.

Ask and you shall receive!

The end goal is to utilise the frame work as a roof of a chicken house. If not a chicken house then cover for the worm farm and compost area.

Meanwhile, just a few days ago behind the water tank the blackberry was cut down. As much as possible was removed out. This will be the potatoes in pots area for this year.

Make the area tidier

Since arriving at number 14 this old garage door, that was at number 19  

• was meant to be a detachable roof for over the green tin shed.
• only thing was the shelter part was delayed until it was never actually created.
• hung around under the kitchen window.
• was finally moved around to number 14 where the number of 'resting places' became very scare.
• always seemed to be not quite in the right place
• was getting closer with each 'move'.
• is now blocking the actual garage door. No-one is getting in there without a noise being heard.
• guess where the garage door was suggested to be placed in the first place!

So move that old garage door over there is gradually getting closer to where it was meant to be in the first place.

Oh well someone listened!

What seems junk to some people is a treasure to others. So stick to your inner vision even if it means just slowly make things happen. 

Remember that all garden adventures start with an idea.