Patti Petit on tue 26 aug 08
Between 7:00a.m. and 12:30 P.M. today Fay's floods caused my studio garage wall to fail and I found over an inch of water throughout the entire 37 by 14 ft structure. Fortunately most of my things are stored in rubbermaid tubs. But my kiln shelves were lower and took on water - a good bit of it. Question: Do I trash them or is there a way to dry them out? They are standard ordinary kiln shelves - mostly halves. Since I live on top of the mountain I never dreamed I'd flood. But the previous owner built this lovely little building down a slope away from the driveway which is paved. We have been in a 3 year drought and I guess the water came too hard and fast to absorb into our rocky clay soil -- hence the FLOOD. I hate to have to buy shelves but will bite the bullet if there is no other way. Fortunately both kilns are on metal stands and came through marvelously. The fridge is another matter. Thanks for any advice. And any of you in Florida,
Mississippi or Alabama who took on water you are in my prayers.
Patti in NE GA mountains where I moved a ton of water tonight.
http://www.runningrabbitpottery.com
Lee Love on wed 27 aug 08
Patti,
Your kiln shelves should be fine. If you get dry weather before
you fire again, put them out in the sun and wind, on boards so air can
flow around. Then slow fire your first firing with them.
If the weather doesn't cooperate, dry them the best you can then
you can candle them for a long time at 200*F and dry them.
My woodkiln shelves sit outside, under the eaves of the
workshop and will get wet in a good storm. They dry out fine.
--
Lee Love in Minneapolis
http://mashikopots.blogspot.com/
http://claycraft.blogspot.com/
"Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground." --Rumi
W J Seidl on wed 27 aug 08
Patti:
Having gone through a salt water/sewage flood myself in '05 with=20
hurricane Wilma in the FL Keys, I can tell you those shelves will be fine=
=2E
Put them out in the sun for a few days to start the drying process, or=20
just wipe them off with a towel if it's raining still.
Before you fire them next, load them into a kiln ( you mentioned=20
electric, which will do nicely).
Be sure the shelves are separated by kiln furniture to give an air gap=20
between each.
Turn your lowest element (only) on "low" and close the lid. Leave them=20
in there overnight with your peeps out.
If you have a small shim you can place to keep the lid open just a=20
crack, that will help also.
The shelves will be dry and ready to fire to your normal temp once=20
they've cooled (and you can handle them again)
If you have a computer controlled kiln, find out how to program a ten or =
twelve hour cycle on the lowest temp you can (around 200 or 250F is fine)=
or you can load them into your oven and dry them on 200F for the same=20
overnight period.
Don't throw away that fridge. Cut off the cord, lay it on it's back and =
bingo!...instant clay locker with two compartments
Best of luck with the recovery. Been there, done that, my heart goes=20
out to you.
Wayne Seidl
Phoenix Rising Farm
Waite, Maine
Patti Petit wrote:
> Between 7:00a.m. and 12:30 P.M. today Fay's floods caused my studio ga=
rage wall to fail and I found over an inch of water throughout the entire=
37 by 14 ft structure. Fortunately most of my things are stored in rubb=
ermaid tubs. But my kiln shelves were lower and took on water - a good bi=
t of it. Question: Do I trash them or is there a way to dry them out? Th=
ey are standard ordinary kiln shelves - mostly halves. Since I live on t=
op of the mountain I never dreamed I'd flood. But the previous owner bu=
ilt this lovely little building down a slope away from the driveway which=
is paved. We have been in a 3 year drought and I guess the water came t=
oo hard and fast to absorb into our rocky clay soil -- hence the FLOOD. I=
hate to have to buy shelves but will bite the bullet if there is no othe=
r way. Fortunately both kilns are on metal stands and came through marve=
lously. The fridge is another matter. Thanks for any advice. And any o=
f you in Florida,
> Mississippi or Alabama who took on water you are in my prayers.
> Patti in NE GA mountains where I moved a ton of water tonight.
>
> http://www.runningrabbitpottery.com
>
> =20
| |
|
