Update!
State Farm has been amazing. The adjustor was a nice guy and answered my questions about the process of getting repairs done, etc. He noticed missing shingles on the shed roof and also on my house, so the claim includes a new re-roof on both buildings! They are even paying for the food I lost during the 40 hour power outage :thumbsup:
I'm going to demo the carport with Red (and put the claim $$ to pay me for labor/tractor use) and save as much of the metal roofing panels as possible and use them elsewhere. I'll reuse the rafters and the posts will become firewood. I'd like to enclose the opening of the shed, put in a door. I might get an all metal extension to match the carport where I park the truck...that way Red will be closer to the house and this old girl won't have to walk so far to get to it
Question for you all....how would be the safest way to either push or pull the carport over? I have heavy chains and was thinking to pull it away from the building instead of pushing it to the side?
Any ideas? You folks probably can come up with something creative
Thanks again for the geat conversations!
~~Judy
PS...the tractor doesn't have any visible damage and has been runing/working just fine. Whew!
I think we're waiting for an update (and pics)
Safest way is to let the insurance pay for the demo.
Please don't use the posts for firewood. They are probably old pressure treated and the smoke and fumes would not be good for you.
Please don't use the posts for firewood. They are probably old pressure treated and the smoke and fumes would not be good for you.
Hi! Just a quick update and answers to some of the questions.
I spent the break in between storms getting in extra hay, water, food to be more proactive for the next storms. The mud dried just enough to be able to get out. The ruts from idjut neighbors driving in the slush were horrific, but I made it ok. Another storm this past week, so the mud/slop is backI won't risk getting stuck, even to go to the PO to get the gift my brother sent, so I wait.
The carport is still hanging. I heard some metal clunking the other day and it has dropped several inches due to the wind and more snow. I won't work on it until the slop/mud has dried and no storms are coming. January is typically a dry month so we'll see...
Been asking around for recommendations for a roofer. The fella I get feed from told me he knows a guy who is real good, if I can overlook him hanging at the bar and working with a hangover!! Ummm...I don't think so. I may wait till after the new year to look again.
The tree-posts on the carport don't look like they are PT. Maybe the bottoms were soaked in old oil, but not sure. If I can pull them out of the concrete, I'll cut the bottoms off before I burn them, otherwise they will stay in the ground and I'll cut them at ground-level. Pretty sure the metal roofing is galvanized steel since a magnet stuck. I hope to salvage what I can and use it around the place for various projects.
I plan on enclosing the front of the building myself. The concrete slab may pose a problem in fixing the sill to it. I've done wall and door framing many times inside houses. I do a pretty good job and the doors shut perfectlyI'll likely make the door with an open top half with hardware cloth...for light and ventilation. The building is stucco, but I'll use siding panels (maybe).
I'll post more updates as things progress. Yes, I'm anxious to get that thing torn down. I keep hoping it'll stop storming and be like Arizona is supposed to be...hot, dry, beautiful :silly:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! :drink:
~~Judy
Things don't seem to move very fast out there.

Bleach. My brother and I have been using spray bottles of bleach mixture in areas where MICE have been invading. Supposedly, rodents hate the smell and all smells that are very strong. We started this last fall and so far the results look promising.
I too was concerned with critters being poisoned, so after some research, I found this product. It kills rats but is harmless to other critters. It seems expensive, but a 1# bag eliminated all my rodents and lasted all summer. Available at most big box stores also.
Amazon.com: EcoClear Products 621, RatX All-Natural Non-Toxic Humane Rat and Mouse Killer Pellets, 1 lb. Bag: Garden & Outdoor
We just mix water 75% and bleach 25%-ish in a spray bottle and spray generously, repeatedly in problem areas as we are walking through that area 1-3 a day in the beginning and the MICE, not rats, seemed to move on. I rarely do it now during the winter as I forget to take the bottle with out in the cold. The other 3 seasons the spray bottle will stay there and every day or every other day we'll spray it on wood areas as we walk by. Bleach is corrosive so stay away from metal. I've been told that any potent, strong, consistent smell will send them away. Peppermint oil is something I use in stored vehicles to keep them out with great success.Hey fido, interesting idea. What do you mix the bleach with? Did the rats leave entirely of just find a different route to take at your place?
~~Judy
Time for an Update!

There's still a big 2 x 12 and a false front attached to the gable end with a zillion nails & screwsI'll need to get brave and get on a ladder to get those off. It'll look so much better!