KENSINGTON - Heavy rains over the last couple of months have left Gerald and Jean MacAusland drowning in the cost of home repair.
Water caused the collapse of basement walls in their Kensington home in both July and August, leaving the couple wondering how to cover the costly repairs.
Gerald said the foundation walls of the century-old farmhouse were made of Island stone, which weakened over time, but nothing could prepare him and his wife for two wall collapses within weeks of each other.
"The first time, the wall washed out and everything came in. We got some help digging it out, but it was no more than a few weeks and they were back out here digging it out again," he said.
"There was about three feet of water on the floor so we had to pump it out and put jack posts underneath it to help keep it up."
While MacAusland, a retired contractor, enlisted the help of some friends and got a good deal on materials from Arsenault's Sawmill, he said the cost was still upward of $3,000 to repair the foundation twice.
The cave-in also caused damage to the MacAusland's furnace, which will eventually have to be fixed.
Some assistance for the couple may be on the way though. This Saturday, a benefit in the form of a yard sale and barbecue is being held at the United Pentecostal Church on Pope Road in Summerside.
The pair is hoping to recover at least some of the costs at the sale, which goes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
MacAusland speculates that a tremour about 30 years ago weakened the stone, but there was no sign the foundation was ready to crumble until the heavy rains of July took the first wall and the remnants of hurricane Bill claimed the second in August.
"The insurance adjuster came down and had a look, but he said there was nothing he could do about it," MacAusland said. "He said if it was a pipe that broke that would be fine, but it was an 'act of God' and we aren't covered for that."
Flood waters strike twice
- Published on September 17th, 2009
- Published on June 15th, 2010
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Stephen Brun
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Comments
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- To Grumpy old JD
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:35:49
Hey there JD, did any ask YOU for money? It looks to me like a church group are fund-raising with a yard sale and barbeque. If you aren't part of the solution, keep your opinion to yourself. Hmmm...maybe you aren't an islander!
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- Gerard
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:24:38
Yeah really J.D. how In gods name is it a big deal that some people are in need of assistance? 2 familys and you have to start running your mouth. wonder what you would think if you lived in Louisianna where millions of people were in need of others help and support. It's called the real world.
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- Danni.
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:05:28
yes it is called compassion for our fellow man,not enough of it to day in any age
group,what if it had been you?????????? -
- JD
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:42:32
Here we go again.
The caving basement walls is becoming the rallying cry to get money from Islanders.
I wonder when will Islanders generosity finally be taxed to the limit.
