It is heart broken to see this beautiful house in such a horrible condition. I have seen many historic properties in Floral Park and this property is the worse in the neighborhood. From a distance this home appears from the front has good bone. The front yard with unpermitted pilaster, electrical works, fountain and cascading trough got to go. The front yard is a demonstration of good objects executed in bad taste. Home like this the front should be kept modest and the surprises of Luxuries should unveil itself as a visitor explores the home and whimsical features should be in courtyard near the rear. This Las Vegas Bellagio or Mirage approach to home said a lot about the previous occupants. He likely has holes in his underwear and sock but wears a nice suit. His home displayed all elements of a money pit. Believe me when I say it is a money pit it is a bottomless pit being an expert in this field.
I was glad that we went as a group so we did outnumbered Willy the squatter. Some homeless live in the bushes in the City Park of Park Santiago. The park is opened to the public with access from many directions. This late 19th century park at its depressed elevation acts as a flood channel basin lined with rocks and boulders. It stretches from Old Town Orange to West Floral Park. I have not seen a soul on this flood channel but I know this is a place of Homeless haven since law enforcement surveillance and vehicular accessibility are impossible. Willy and many run away teens live among the bushes and access to abandon homes from the flood channel. When I was growing up I observed many runaways, homeless and gang homeboys used the LA River as their playground. Many homes that back up against the channel have built barriers by using fence, wall, pergolas, trellis, and lattice structure to discourage strangers from going into the private properties. This home has no barrier and Free Willy uses the back yard access so no neighbors would ever see home walking on the public streets in Floral Park. The rear is not a defensible space because access is very easy from Main Street and Broadway underpass.
This home has severe water damages. The damages were a result of a modified roof. This home was added on several times and the simple roof became complicated with numerous roof additions. In general philosophy the purpose of a sloping roof is to shed water off the structure quickly and to keep the wall as dry as possible by having deep overhangs. The best roof is when the entire home is protected by a single roof without any roof valley. The picture below is a California Monterey style home from 1850?s. This style originated from Monterey California. Most of the historic adobe structures that we see today has similar characteristic as the Monterey style because the cantilevered deck, simple roof planes and eave gutters eliminated the water quickly and protected the vertical wall surfaces, windows and door from the wind blown rain and harsh sun. The painted rafter tails and beams help to protect the wood from termite penetration and moisture that causes dry rot. This is the reason why most historic landmarks in CA todays built during this genre.
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Production homes with frontal garages architects could never accomplished the simple roof application so complicated roofs resulted from elaborate offset planes help to distract the eyes and lessen the curse of frontal garages. The downside is water direction would change drainage course at roof valleys and during the water collision water splash will flood into the underside of roof tiles and soaked beams and rafters. Many times the valley trapped leaves and debris that acts like a sponge in retaining water. The moisture trapped beneath the roof in a dark and air trapped environment causes dry rot and molds ultimately weaken the structure and invites termites by its ideal environment.
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Bad roof design is all over the additions. Over the years the water damage has taken its toll. Most unpainted stained rafters (Spanish style characteristic) have been both rotted and eaten by termites. The termite and dry rots have spread to the second floors and wood flooring indicated by Cayci? photos. Flooding from clogged shower drain also damaged the wood floor and floor beams. This home has structural damage. I can?t even think about the state of plumbing and electrical. The beams that supported the cantilevered balconies are all rotted and no longer functional. The north facing rafters are the most damaged due to the lack of sun and in constant shade which again is ideal for termite and rot. South and west facing rafters both have extremely different type of damages such as cracked gaps and twisted wood that allowed for insects in gaining entry to the beams.
Spanish style barrel roof tiles on this home and many other homes do not protect rain from penetrating the roof. The tiles are for fire deterrent but not for moisture protection. The membrane laid beneath the roof tiles is the real waterproofing for the roof. The biggest problem for barrel tile is the open eave condition where rats and other rodent gain entry into the roof and chewed holes in the membrane.
Tile roof buildings are complicated by the fact that rodents can slip under the tiles. Once inside this tile space, animals can enter the attic by chewing holes through the actual roof or by passing through normal gaps in the roof where vents pass through. This is not an easy path for animal entry. But if it?s not addressed, the building will remain vulnerable. Besides the building perimeter, other places animals can get underneath the tiles include the roof peaks or seams and the mini-perimeters surrounding vents. This home has many indications where rodents damaged most of the roof.
There are untreated wood post that made contact with the wet ground and water weep up the post has deteriorated the post in Cayci?s picture. This is the only post that is supporting the room addition that all five of us were standing in.
The previous bastard owners have stolen all the nice things from the homes. Stain glass were removed and the lender has boarded up the numerous openings with plywood. He stripped all the light fixtures and door hardware. I was surprised that he did not saw off the beautiful wrought iron handrail from the stairs treads. Everything that was bolted to the homes has been stolen by him.
The spirit of this home is gone. Over the years the integrity was compromised by illegal additions. Its skin has been eaten alive by insects and body rotting from severe rotting and disease infection. The last few pieces jewelry that once belongs to this beauty from a bygone era was stolen. She no longer has her beauty, a spirit, body, and figure. What is left is not even a complete skeleton. The only thing left for her are part of her soul consist of the entrance foyer, the trusses gracing the living room with a fireplace. Even Free Willy knew that and he took the last of her virginity.
