leangreen.org recycled renovation on a low-budget ration

Before closing up our walls, we need to kill the terrorizing leaks. Last week's leak alert level: six buckets. As expected, the intersection of the old and new roof does not want to seal. Our patches seem improved after another re-layering and re-gooping of the cursed roof triangle this weekend. Today's rain should test the job. It's drizzling, zero buckets so far.

Tigger tours the back landing-pad for the garage and mechanical room. We have a drain in the middle of the concrete patio that works well, but we need a threshold at the doors to the mechanical room to prevent water from splashing back into an unfortunate low point at the corner of the door. The water's been getting into the mechanical room and then the bathroom, a constant reminder of our unsealed state. We bought about $100 worth of metal, rubber and caulk for the threshold work and then decided to use a bucket of leftover concrete instead for a $0 waste-reduction solution. Gary Gray, the Denver Pool Pro who doesn't mind dipping his hands in cement, is out for almost two weeks to help us get the walls closed up. We also plan to build a dam within the mechanical room in case the big hot water tank explodes. The water tank is not yet purchased but needs to be chosen so we can plan for the exhaust flue before closing up the walls. The list of things to do before closing up the walls does not seem to end.

In order to obtain our building permit from the city of berkeley, we must define the best management practices we will use in order to prevent erosion and control sediment from running of our property and into storm drains. The city referred us to the California Stormwater Quality Association's (CASQA) Stormwater Best Management Practices for Construction at www.cabmphandbooks.com. In addition to implementing the following BMPs from CASQA, we will ensure that our porta-potty is well secured to prevent hazardous spills due to wind storms, earthquakes, or run-ins with equipment (thanks to a recommendation from our friend Shay Boutillier who has seen some nasty spills in Tahoe). NS-8 Vehicle and Equipment Cleaning We will protect the stormdrain outlet that is downstream from our site (on east side of Wheeler Street before intersection with Prince Street). NS-9 Vehicle and Equipment Fueling We will run a "dry and clean site." We will not permit cleaning, fueling or repair of vehicles and equipment on site. NS-13 Concrete Finishing Because water exposed to concrete may have a high pH and may contain chemicals, metals and fines, we will prevent cure discharge from reaching the stormwater drain. WM-1 Material Delivery and Storage We will define storage areas that avoid drainage paths and stay in covered areas as much as possible, keep an up-to-date inventory of materials delivered and stored on site, we will avoid use of hazardous materials, we will not store materials directly on the ground and will use pallets or tarps when possible. We will store materials in original or labeled containers. We will keep spill clean-up materials on site. WM-2 Material Use We will avoid use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, detergents, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. WM-3 Stockpile Management We will locate stockpiles away from the stormwater flows and drainage courses. We will protect stockpiles with temporary cover and a temporary perimeter sediment barrier during the rainy season. WM-4 Spill Prevention and Control We will avoid using harmful materials on site. In case of spill, we will clean up immediately via absorption and we will not allow water to enter storm drain. WM-5 Solid Waste Management We will sort wastes according to recyclability and hazard, store on designated waste collection areas, and dispose of waste promptly. We will collect site trash daily, especially during rainy and windy conditions. We will ensure that construction waste is collected, removed and disposed of at authorized disposal or recycling areas. Littering will be prohibited! Trash receptacle will be provided.