We are in the planning stages of a 1920's Craftsman renovation. We
are
not planning to completely gut the house, going to keep original
windows
and plaster walls. We are considering changing over from steam heat
and
no A/C to geothermal- but figure we need insulation to make it worth
our
while. So my questions are;

*The long talked-about meeting is finally here!* Remember last winter when
the historic Murillo Apartments and Henshie-Briggs Row House were picked up
off their foundations and moved to new locations in the Sherman Hill
neighborhood.
*Join us on Saturday, August 2, from 9:30 to 11:00* to tour the buildings

Here's an update from Ami Rodman of Des Moines Neighbors.
They are still looking for people who can bus up to Cedar Rapids - CR is
further behind in the cleanup effort (and has much further to go).
The meeting location for the Birdland effort will be Union Park at 9:00 am.
Meet in the parking lot between the carousel and the rocket slide. A

*Des Moines Rehabers Club member Jack Porter just notified me about two very
important volunteer opportunities being organized by Des Moines Neighbors
this Saturday, July 12.
*Because of the late notice, the scheduled Des Moines Rehabbers Club meeting
([link]) this Saturday morning will still be held.

Undisturbed knob and tube wiring is not necessarily or inherently unsafe.
Over time the insulation can decay and if walls are disturbed (particularly
during remodeling when plaster is removed or walls insulated) it *can *cause
potentially hazardous conditions.
Some reasons why Insurance companies and homeowners don't like K&T:

My spouse and I recently purchased a bungalow in Des Moines that has a
mix of knob & tube wiring and updated electrical. Our insurer has
insisted that we have all of the knob & tube removed for them to cover
the house. A local electrician told us this is unheard of in Des
Moines and recommended we find another insurance company rather than

After a couple months break from regular meetings, we are getting back on
schedule (well almost). The promised tour through the Murillo building has
been postponed for another month because the building is not yet at a stage
where the contractor is comfortable having people through. Yes, liability

From a very
recent (ok, today...) installation of LeafGuard (seamless):
$17 lf for gutter
$7 lf for downspouts
$60 ea for miters
Production fee, labor, and extra fee for getting up to a third story...
$750.  So - not cheap at all...
These are aluminum - heaver gauge than most.  In different
circumstances than my own, I would agree with the galvanized

Excellent - I'll check them out (I have to replace the gutters on my porch
as well). Another good reason to use galvanized is that you will have less
worry about incompatible fasteners. Aluminum and steel don't play nice
together. Neither do steel and copper. Using galvanized steel fasteners on
a galvanized gutter will increase the longevity, though acidic rain will

Galv steel that is painted. Copper is very expensive and typically only used in large commercial projects (same for stainless steel). Millers hardware carries ½ round gutter and round downspouts.
Jack C. Porter
Preservation Consultant
State Historical Society of Iowa
(515) 242-6152
"Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is a whisper at the end of the day saying I will try again tomorrow."

Jack, what metal would you suggest using for gutters? Is galvanized steel
an option (I haven't run across it), or would you suggest copper if it can
be afforded?
Typically, gutters are quoted by the linear foot plus some amount per
downspout, so the type and complexity your roof will make a difference. If

We do not recommend aluminum gutters. Aluminum has a tendency to fail rather easily and will corrode from bird droppings and other acid acts of nature.
Jack C. Porter
Preservation Consultant
State Historical Society of Iowa
(515) 242-6152
"Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is a whisper at the end of the day saying I will try again tomorrow."

Anybody have a good recommendation for a company that installs gutters?
Also, if you've had new gutters put on your house lately, can you give me an
idea of what it might cost to do mine? I have a 1500 sq. ft. bungalow.
Is it the kind of project that I might be able to do myself with some help
from friends? I've already taken the old gutters off by myself, but I've

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the final administrative rule
changes to the State Historic Rehabiliation Tax Credit program *did
not*include the proposed five year holding period. Thank you to the
people who
contacted the Iowa Historical Society to voice their concern. Staff was
very receptive to the potential for this proposed rule change to negatively