Dec 17 2007
December: It goes like this
It’s been a helluva five days.
Thursday night we came home from Joey’s Xmas concert to a fantastic discovery: the basement had flooded. Again. It’s that damned crock and sump pump, as it always is. This time it happened because the pipe the water runs through was clogged with leaves right by the drain in the back yard. Because of that clog, the water was backing up to the downspouts where it geysered out the top of the pipes to flood the backyard and to roll back down along the outside of the basement wall and back into the drain tiles, creating an endless loop. Thousands of gallons of water circulated out and back in again until the 11-year old pump finally burned out.
Thankfully, we already had a new pump waiting in the wings, and with Bruno’s help we had it installed before going to bed Thursday night. All that remained was the job of cleaning the carpet for the third time in less than two years. We used our carpet shampooing machine to suck out as much water as we could, but it really needed the pro treatment.
Our regular carpet cleaning guy couldn’t make it out until today (Monday), and we couldn’t fathom letting the water fester down there until now, so we rented a machine from the hardware store. We spent over six hours on Saturday running that thing back and forth across the floor. The smell is much improved, so the crisis is mostly past us; but it’ll be a long time - if ever - before we trust we’re not going to flood again.
Then there’s this morning. I arrived at the office to discover it’s only marginally warmer inside than out. The burner in the furnace isn’t working. I tried getting something done while working in my hat and coat, but pretty soon (despite wearing thermal socks) my feet were freezing. So here I am in Arabica, not getting anything done while waiting for the guy from Ferrato’s Heating to show up and fix the damn furnace.
And people wonder why I don’t like Decembers. I’m telling you, this month has a vendetta against me.
I made a call, no vendetta was issue.
Considering the flooding in the last house, me thinks basements and water don’t like you.
Problem#1: So your backyard is stuck vamping, waiting for the cycle to break. I suggest riding yourself of trees. And it’s hard to take anything called a sump pump seriously. When you replaced it finally, did you take it to the sump pump dump? Well, did ya, chump? After that little bump, now you’re over the hump.
When speaking of basement water levels, please refrain from using the word “fathom”.
Problem #2: I’m glad the media cellar moved. Cold is better than wet in December. Beats the new roof leaking…….ooop–I didn’t mean to say that out loud.
Jim
“When speaking of basement water levels, please refrain from using the word “fathom”.”
I was hoping that remark wouldn’t be out of your league.
Out of my league?? Can’t believe you would sink to such depths. Let me know if you need me to bring Dylan’s snorkel up with us. Or a “No Diving” sign. Snorkel is a funny word.
Jim
OMG Jim actually posted under his own name!
oh, and sorry about basements hating you.
Happy December! You have less than 2 weeks to go. I can’t really see how January and February can be an improvement.
Are you kidding? I’m sure Marjorie will want to see us in February, so we’ll be visiting you. That is, of course, the highlight to our entire winter season.
awwwwww, ain’t you sweet?