Cathy priming rust spots on Faith's gym roof Shortly after returning to Faith UMC in Jacksonville, we were immersed in another Nomads project, our second as leaders. This was by far the most physically demanding, involving the refurbishing and painting of 2 roofs and the high eaves on the sanctuary building. By months’ end, one roof was done, one was still being prepped and the sanctuary eaves were done.
So we headed off to Disney World.
So we headed off to Disney World.
Dave taking Clint up in lift Uplifting
When we learned that this period’s project involved work on the gym roof, which was – well as high as a gym roof, it gave us pause. The project was billed as a painting project, but the preparation of an 10,000 sf metal roof for painting involved a lot of wire-brushing the rust that had accumulated over the decades. Then the rust would be primed. Finally, 175 gallons of a roof sealing paint would be applied in 2 coats to the entire roof with a paint sprayer.
When we learned that this period’s project involved work on the gym roof, which was – well as high as a gym roof, it gave us pause. The project was billed as a painting project, but the preparation of an 10,000 sf metal roof for painting involved a lot of wire-brushing the rust that had accumulated over the decades. Then the rust would be primed. Finally, 175 gallons of a roof sealing paint would be applied in 2 coats to the entire roof with a paint sprayer.
Dave taking the lift up to the top of the gym To get all this equipment and people up on the roof, the church rented a lift that a few members of the team became adept at operating. On the few occasions where we had difficulty with it, we had to go up and down using 2 extension ladders. It took all of the 3 weeks, and lots of wearying work to brush off the rust, prime, pressure-wash and paint but we managed to get it done. Although thanks to a weather delay, the last coat was applied the day after the project officially ended.
Dave and Don fitting the new vent cover In the process of working to seal the roof, we also tried to address some leaks which were centered around 3 roof vents. The problems seemed to be related to gaps forming under the ridgeline of the roof and the vents themselves, which lacked adequate covers. (Tarps had been used in recent years to minimize the water incursion.) To solve this problem, we (mostly Pat) sprayed foam into the gaps under the roof ridge. And then several team members designed and fabricated vent covers, which were then installed over the vents. They seemed to work, since some significant storms arrived shortly after their installation and no leaks were found.
Sanctuary eaves after painting The other big project involving the lift was the painting of the eaves that encircled the sanctuary. The lift was required to do the peaks on the front and back of the building. In the meantime, we had workers on scaffolding work their way around the sides pressure-washing, scraping, priming and finally painting. Again this took much of the 3 weeks, but we were thrilled to finish just one day early.
Cathy scraping old paint off Wesley roof The other roof was on Wesley Hall, which has a flat concrete roof topped with asphalt. This roof's previous paint was peeling badly. We began the laborious process of removing the paint and getting to a solid under layer. While this project is still underway, we keep reminding ourselves that the gym and sanctuary are done!
Dave working with Jehaziel to re-wire battery charger for golf cart Lazarus In between these major projects, we had a myriad of smaller painting projects completed, repaired a major water valve to Wesley Hall, repaired one of the church’s golf carts, continued to make progress on a new shower and building a deck by the steeple. In all, the team felt great about its accomplishments and the church was amazingly appreciative.
Miami and Dave in Brunswick GA Family and Friends
We were pleasantly surprised by a call from our friends Miami and Shelly who had pulled their boat Yume into a slip at Brunswick Landing. We joined them one Saturday to catch up with them and share our insights into the transition to life on the road. They were hoping to make a similar transition. To our surprise, the transition happened sooner than either of us expected. They came to visit us a couple of weeks later and we showed them an Airstream on the church property that was for sale. By Monday, it was theirs. It needed lots of cleaning, but it was basically sound and a great deal.
We were pleasantly surprised by a call from our friends Miami and Shelly who had pulled their boat Yume into a slip at Brunswick Landing. We joined them one Saturday to catch up with them and share our insights into the transition to life on the road. They were hoping to make a similar transition. To our surprise, the transition happened sooner than either of us expected. They came to visit us a couple of weeks later and we showed them an Airstream on the church property that was for sale. By Monday, it was theirs. It needed lots of cleaning, but it was basically sound and a great deal.
Cathy and Carolyn in front of RV We also had a great visit from Cathy’s sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Clint. They arrived in time to join us at Clara’s for lunch and then a tour of the church afterward, including a trip up in the lift to see the top of the gym roof. What a rare treat to have some time with them.
Burnt wires in at main connection RV Stuff
Cathy had smelled it once before a few weeks before Christmas. Something was burning. This time, she was in the shower when she noticed the smell. She shut off the shower and quickly turned off the Air conditioning and looked for anything else that might be drawing power. While scrambling to get dressed, she narrowed the source of the smell to a cabinet close to where the power cord enters the RV. It was about this time that Dave arrived. We removed the panel covering the junction and found the disturbing evidence of melted wires and worse, a charred spot on the wood above it. We were disturbingly close to a fire.
With Fred’s help, Dave removed the charred ends of the wires and re-seated them into wire nuts. Since we are plugged into a 50amp power source, it was apparent that our 30amp panel was not protecting us from drawing too much current. With that in mind, we are more careful about what appliances might be running in combination until we have a better solution in place.
It was a different smell that drew Cathy’s attention a few days later. It was shortly after discovering the shower grey water tank had filled. The smell was a little funky in the living room. After dumping the tanks, Cathy noticed a stream of water coming from under the center of the living room onto the ground. Apparently there is a loose fitting on the tank under the living room floor. One more thing to watch for. Once the water fully drained, the smell disappeared, thankfully.
Cathy had smelled it once before a few weeks before Christmas. Something was burning. This time, she was in the shower when she noticed the smell. She shut off the shower and quickly turned off the Air conditioning and looked for anything else that might be drawing power. While scrambling to get dressed, she narrowed the source of the smell to a cabinet close to where the power cord enters the RV. It was about this time that Dave arrived. We removed the panel covering the junction and found the disturbing evidence of melted wires and worse, a charred spot on the wood above it. We were disturbingly close to a fire.
With Fred’s help, Dave removed the charred ends of the wires and re-seated them into wire nuts. Since we are plugged into a 50amp power source, it was apparent that our 30amp panel was not protecting us from drawing too much current. With that in mind, we are more careful about what appliances might be running in combination until we have a better solution in place.
It was a different smell that drew Cathy’s attention a few days later. It was shortly after discovering the shower grey water tank had filled. The smell was a little funky in the living room. After dumping the tanks, Cathy noticed a stream of water coming from under the center of the living room onto the ground. Apparently there is a loose fitting on the tank under the living room floor. One more thing to watch for. Once the water fully drained, the smell disappeared, thankfully.
Off to Disney!
We had been hoping to connect with Dave’s sister Wendy and her husband (also Dave) since our return to Florida. We finally got the chance to meet them at Disney World for a day late in January after our project ended. Just in time to celebrate both of their birthdays (well a little late for Wendy’s . . .). We had a great day at the newly remodeled Disney Springs and stayed to enjoy a chilly campfire program with Chip and Dale before heading our separate ways. It was a nice break from all the project work and fun to reconnect.
We did have a birthday celebration for Dave on his birthday back at Faith, which started with him being serenaded by the other Nomads at morning devotion and ended with – what else – a dinner at church. Only Dave had to work the grill for his own birthday meal. But he still had a good time.
We had been hoping to connect with Dave’s sister Wendy and her husband (also Dave) since our return to Florida. We finally got the chance to meet them at Disney World for a day late in January after our project ended. Just in time to celebrate both of their birthdays (well a little late for Wendy’s . . .). We had a great day at the newly remodeled Disney Springs and stayed to enjoy a chilly campfire program with Chip and Dale before heading our separate ways. It was a nice break from all the project work and fun to reconnect.
We did have a birthday celebration for Dave on his birthday back at Faith, which started with him being serenaded by the other Nomads at morning devotion and ended with – what else – a dinner at church. Only Dave had to work the grill for his own birthday meal. But he still had a good time.
