Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
Marcus Nunes and his wife Ava at their Kingston 11 home.
Although the Nunes family is very happy about the brand new bedroom given to mother and father, we must admit that the family has other pressing needs, which we hope the public will come forward and help with. They obviously need a larger home, but even more urgent is their need of a rehabilitated roof.
We extend our grateful thanks to Anthony Holness of Hardware and Lumber in Kingston, who without hesitation provided lath boards and plyboard to replace dilapidated ceiling material in the couple's bedroom.
We are hoping, however, that sponsors will be found to redo the roof of the home, for which the following overview was done by Stephen Hodges, architect attached to the Women's Resource and Outreach Centre sustainable Roofing Project:
An inspection of the above house, notes Mr. Hodges, revealed:
Building has a very flat pitched roof with zinc covering. Many of the zinc sheets are rusted, with some showing holes. Some were disturbed by hurricanes and some have been replaced. The roof leaks in many places and has destroyed the ceiling below, a solitex or hardboard ceiling on a suspended frame. The building is approximately30x40 foot, that is, some 1,200 square feet of roof. Leaks have rotted some of the roof timbers, particularly the ends of the rafters, some of the sarking under the eaves and (it is suspected) some of the laths and wallplates. There is some evidence of dry wood termite infestation 'chi chi' were not seen. It is a safe assumption that there is some termite damage in a building where the timber has been soaked by leaks. It is quite sheltered, with small overhangs, so that hurricane straps recommended, may not be needed, except in bad storms.According to Stephen Hodges, the main goal is to prevent the roof from leaking, which would allow replaced ceilings to survive and protect the remaining roof timbers. He also notes:
Facia
The facia board on the gable end is rotted away, and replacement would go a far way to sprucing up the front of the house.
Eaves
Some of the sarking under the eaves needs replacing, and painting around and under the eaves would lift the look of the place.
Ceiling
The solitex should be replaced where possible.
If you are interested in helping to replace this roof, please email Phyllis.Thomas@gleanerjm.com or call 932-6235.
