If only it were my troubles washing down the drain...
Update...hmm..well, I had a plumbing fiasco Thursday night. Scott was over doing my laundry and the washing machine made my main sewer line in the basement back up. I called the first place I could find that was open 24 hours. (It was 10:00 pm.) An older guy came over with such a heavy Greek accent that I could barely understand him. He way overcharged me for rooting out my sewer. (Tons of tree roots invaded the sewer line and clogged it up) He claimed he because they were so long and dense he would have to come out the next day with a jetter to clear the line. He quoted a price of $900. (!!) I asked to see it his is price book, and sure enough, that was the amount in black and white.
Scott had left me alone to pick up his girlfriend and spend the night with her. I was really angry with him for leaving me alone with this plumber. It was 11:30 at night and I was tired and stressed.
Scott had also taken the bathtub faucet off that night to replace a gasket. He took the faucet with him when he left because he was going to bring it to Home Deopt to see what size he needed. The next morning, I walked in kitchen to find water all over the floor. There were four separate drips coming from the bathroom through the kitchen ceiling. Scott *claims* he turned the faucet off, however there was a stream of water running through the walls all night. 8 hour's worth of water. I turned off the main water valve and texted Scott frantically. He never responded. Actually, to say I was angry with him is an understatement. I was livid. So, now I had two plumbing issues to contend with.
I didn't trust the plumber from the night before and did some online research and reviews. I found a local, honest plumber who was really cool, but his rooter machine wouldn't fit through my narrow basement stairs, so he left and I had to wait another two hours for a different guy to come who had a rooting machine that came in two parts. He said he never heard of anyone needing a jetter-a jetter is used to force water out. That plumber was a total fraud. I called the company, canceled my appointment, complained, and got some money back.
After an hour of grinding roots with the snake, this plumber stated there was a root that was too big for his blade, or it may be a bent pipe. He said he would need a camera to check things out but that's $150. He basically said I could just let this go for now, since my pipes are clear (enough.) Worse case scenario, it backs up again soon and I pay $150 (and another $150 for the camera if I choose) for them to clear roots again. If it's a huge root, they would have to dig up my yard, cut the pipe from outside, and replace that section. I just can't deal with all that now. That would actually cost thousands of dollars. My pipes are clear enough(for now), so I'm letting it go. I'm out all my tax refund money and not happy. I also had to take a day off work and I've been taking far too many off lately.
This all occurred the day of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and really did put things in perspective for me. My problems are small compared to what some people must endure.
Other than that, things are..well.meh. I'm so, so ready for spring. Tired of looking at snow and tired of being cold. Winter doldrums are taking their toll.
I did make it out to the Lords of Acid show on Saturday and had a complete blast. Good to see some other old-timers out and about at Ground Zero. Got to dance on stage with some other girls for two songs. It was a fun, sexy, sleazy night!
Oh, then my dog, Pippin, bit me! I had some people over after the show at Ground Zero. Pippin is very social and loves people, but he has this bizarre dark side. He was very friendly to my friends, but then started this low growl towards one of them. After they left, I was petting him and put my face down low. He bit me by the side of my lip. It's a superficial wound but he *did* break the skin. I've been applying tea tree oil on the bite. This obviously concerns me greatly. He's normally a very, very sweet dog. He follows me everywhere in the house, like a shadow. He'll wag his tail when I smile and look at him. He plays. I've only had him for about a year though. He's four years old, so I don't know if he went through some trauma or issues with the previous owners or their children. Its really freaky to be bitten by ones own dog. I'm bringing him to the vet for his one year check up soon and hoping perhaps the vet can shed some light on this.
Scott had left me alone to pick up his girlfriend and spend the night with her. I was really angry with him for leaving me alone with this plumber. It was 11:30 at night and I was tired and stressed.
Scott had also taken the bathtub faucet off that night to replace a gasket. He took the faucet with him when he left because he was going to bring it to Home Deopt to see what size he needed. The next morning, I walked in kitchen to find water all over the floor. There were four separate drips coming from the bathroom through the kitchen ceiling. Scott *claims* he turned the faucet off, however there was a stream of water running through the walls all night. 8 hour's worth of water. I turned off the main water valve and texted Scott frantically. He never responded. Actually, to say I was angry with him is an understatement. I was livid. So, now I had two plumbing issues to contend with.
I didn't trust the plumber from the night before and did some online research and reviews. I found a local, honest plumber who was really cool, but his rooter machine wouldn't fit through my narrow basement stairs, so he left and I had to wait another two hours for a different guy to come who had a rooting machine that came in two parts. He said he never heard of anyone needing a jetter-a jetter is used to force water out. That plumber was a total fraud. I called the company, canceled my appointment, complained, and got some money back.
After an hour of grinding roots with the snake, this plumber stated there was a root that was too big for his blade, or it may be a bent pipe. He said he would need a camera to check things out but that's $150. He basically said I could just let this go for now, since my pipes are clear (enough.) Worse case scenario, it backs up again soon and I pay $150 (and another $150 for the camera if I choose) for them to clear roots again. If it's a huge root, they would have to dig up my yard, cut the pipe from outside, and replace that section. I just can't deal with all that now. That would actually cost thousands of dollars. My pipes are clear enough(for now), so I'm letting it go. I'm out all my tax refund money and not happy. I also had to take a day off work and I've been taking far too many off lately.
This all occurred the day of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and really did put things in perspective for me. My problems are small compared to what some people must endure.
Other than that, things are..well.meh. I'm so, so ready for spring. Tired of looking at snow and tired of being cold. Winter doldrums are taking their toll.
I did make it out to the Lords of Acid show on Saturday and had a complete blast. Good to see some other old-timers out and about at Ground Zero. Got to dance on stage with some other girls for two songs. It was a fun, sexy, sleazy night!
Oh, then my dog, Pippin, bit me! I had some people over after the show at Ground Zero. Pippin is very social and loves people, but he has this bizarre dark side. He was very friendly to my friends, but then started this low growl towards one of them. After they left, I was petting him and put my face down low. He bit me by the side of my lip. It's a superficial wound but he *did* break the skin. I've been applying tea tree oil on the bite. This obviously concerns me greatly. He's normally a very, very sweet dog. He follows me everywhere in the house, like a shadow. He'll wag his tail when I smile and look at him. He plays. I've only had him for about a year though. He's four years old, so I don't know if he went through some trauma or issues with the previous owners or their children. Its really freaky to be bitten by ones own dog. I'm bringing him to the vet for his one year check up soon and hoping perhaps the vet can shed some light on this.