I’m usually not a storyteller. I try to get the point across in as few words as possible. But I thought this particular story was kind of funny and worth a few extra words. PS- I’m warning you now, there is some potty talk. Don’t read this while you’re eating lunch! PSS- I had Tim proofread this and he thought I should delete some of the more disgusting details. I didn’t. I guess our generation really are a bunch of over sharers.
Well, I had some big plans for our kitchen area this weekend. We were going to get the plumbing ran, the elevated floor built, and the new refrigerator delivered. Yeah, that’s what we were going to do. . . but it’s Monday and here’s what my kitchen area looks like. . .
We had a bit of a road block when the plumbers came out to tap into a line that was already in the space. We knew they would have to jack hammer a few feet to get down to the pipe and run another line to our sink area. But soon after they arrived, we were hit with the bad news. The cast iron pipe (that has probably been there since the structure was built) was so old, that the bottom of it was rusted completely out! This means the whole line has to be replaced. Major bummer!!!
This news might have been terrifying to a couple that has never had to deal with plumbing blunders before, but unfortunately Tim and I have experience with plumbing issues. Two weeks after moving into our first house, our sewer line backed up. How’d did we identify the problem you may ask? Well my brother (who was staying with us at the time) went to the restroom. Like any houseguest should, he gave a little courtesy flush half way through his business and realized nothing was going down. He knew this was a problem, but without having a clue of how plumbing worked he decided it would be best if he finished up in the other bathroom. WHAT!!!!!???? So, now we have two backed up toilets with turds sitting in them and no idea how long the problem is going to take to fix! DISGUSTING!!!! We had zero extra money then, so fixing it ourselves was the only way to deal with the problem. So, we got our shovels and started going at it. The pipe went underneath the house, which meant we couldn’t use regular sized shovels. . . no we were using garden sized shovel, filling buckets, and hauling them out from underneath the house. This process took us amateurs a few days to complete in which we would have to ride up to the local Reasors (grocery store) when we needed to use the restroom. Awesome. I hate using public restrooms. After digging about 15 ft under the house (2 feet down into the ground) we were able to remove the whole pipe. When we lifted it out of place, we were amazed to see that the entire pipe was filled with tree roots. I don’t mean like a multiple roots were in there. . . I mean the whole flipping thing was stuffed full of roots! Just like this. . . .
Just imagine. . . you’re a young couple right out of college. You just bought your first house and your now dealing with the necessity of replacing your entire main plumbing line. Not exactly what we dreamed of when we imagined the joys of owning our own home. But sometimes necessity forces us out of our comfort zone, forces us to learn and to expand ourselves. . . .right? Yeah, I feel like I could have led a very fulfilling life with or without this lesson, but at least it makes for a good/gross story. And actually when I think about it, I’m proud that we made a choice as a couple to push through that plumbing issue and find a solution. I think it set a precedence and created a confidence that we could do anything we wanted with that house. There was no project (big or small) that we could not do ourselves!! Thank you Lord for what that root stuffed pipe developed in us. . . but I was really hoping that was the last time I would find myself using a tiny garden shovel to unearth a faulty pipe!!! Not so. . .
We could have afforded for the plumbers to finish the job this time around, but it’s still hard for Tim and I to pay for a job we know we can do ourselves. So Saturday night, after we had jackhammered and shoveled a good 10ft through the concrete and dirt I found myself just staring at the huge hole in my floor. My feelings this time around are less terror and more annoyance. I know we can and will deal with the issue and take care of the problem, I just wished it was easier. And while I started reliving some memories I’d rather forget from our first house, I thanked the Lord that this was the worst problem in my life. We are so blessed. Plus, no story is a good story unless it involves a little bit of conflict or an unexpected detour, right?
So, hopefully we’ll be able to put a lid on this problem in the next few days and continue on with our grand plan. Wish us luck! 🙂
Yikes! I’m glad you didn’t leave out any details because that was hilarious! Especially the brother “finishing up in the other bathroom” part. Gross! Thanks for a funny/weird start to my week 🙂
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Yikes is right Kelsie! I’m so glad you found the story funny! I was a little nervous about telling the whole thing. 🙂 Have a great day!
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good luck!
I agree that getting it done by yourself definitely shows how far you can actually do things on your own! I’m just confused by the “courtesy flush halfway through”. Really? people flush in the middle of doing their business? NEVER heard of that.. living 12 years in drought-ridden Australia makes that even more mind boggling!
HILARIOUS (about your brother)! 🙂 I loved this post … such great outlook to appreciate and thank God for the fruit that comes from adversity. As a consumer of design blogs/TV shows it is nice for me to see that there are detours even for the professionals (not just me) … high five for doing the dirty work yourself instead of calling a plumber.
Hey Annet! I’m not sure if everyone does the courtesy flush. I thought it was a normal thing. . .but maybe not. It’s definitely not the most eco friendly choice, but it’s nice when you have roommates or guests I think. 🙂
Haha, glad you found the story entertaining! I feel like there are almost always detours and delays with renovations. Thanks for the virtual high five, we’re trying to get it done over here. 🙂