It was about 2:45pm, and we were taking a nap when a huge crash blew us out of bed. We knew immediately what it was.

Yeah, it happened again. Another board through our roof. [see “Shaken Not Stirred”]

And for a while their tarp was on our roof. That was new. So far it had previously blown off onto their chimney. Twice. Now for a third the wind took it another direction. The “storm” (nothing notable for us this time of year, just ordinary weather) has not passed yet, but the major concern we had was that, given the wind direction, this new tarp might wrap itself around our chimney this time instead of theirs. And we have a fire in our wood stove. See the fire potential?

Fortunately, since first venturing out to see, the tarp has mostly moved to the space between our houses, so Gary is not not sure he needs to walk over to ask the guy who works for the fire department for advice. We’ll let the fire burn out and hope for the best.

Again, I will say that I’ve worked for contractors and architects since 1983. The fact is that a reliable contractor does not to tear off roofing without immediately replacing it on the coast. That original roofing and siding came off the beginning of January. Water rained down inside the structure according to subs who shook their head at the mess. Now, exposed to the weather, overhead wiring and rigid insulation placed between the new 2×4 rafters is all pretty well soaked. The roofer was supposed to come out to see it Wednesday, but thought the weather was not good enough for his people to work. The contractor’s crew had not completed laying down the new plywood sheathing but a new and improved tarp was tacked on with 2x4s like the last times and there was heavy in the forecast. Again. They went home Thursday for a long weekend.

Spacers and pieces of insulation keep hitting the roof—maybe not dangerous, but scary. And water is pouring in past our garden chairs we hang up during the winter and right onto Gary’s woodpile. We have placed buckets.

The tar paper (felt) underlay on that next-door house blew off three times, then they used black plastic a couple of weeks ago. This tarp is gray and heavier, but it’s the 2x4s tacked in place to hold the tarp that have failed. Again.

Third time’s the charm?

There are still two boards tacked to the roof next door, at one end. They didn’t drive the nails all the way in, of course, because they wanted to be able to easily remove them when they returned to work. Wind has been taking care of pulling them loose. Again. Quelle surprise!