Sitting at the computer crafting a just typikel post, I’m slowly aware of an annoyingly repetitive sound. “Blippp. Blippp…Blippp.” Annoying in that fact that it’s not dismissable. Outside. No it’s closer. It’s inside? Dread creeps up my spine. Please don’t let it be the hot water tank leaking again. I get up from the chair and tiptoe gingerly to the bottom of the basement stairs. That’s where the water pooled last time. The carpet looks ok but I reach out and touch it. It’s dry. Thank god I’m dealing with plumbing problems that aren’t. I go back to my chair.
Blipppp … blippp… blippp.”
What the? Of course, fool me. I didn’t check the actual tank. Squeezing my eyes shut (somehow that helps) I creep into the furnace room to take a peak at the hot water tank. Opening them I see that the area at the base is lovely and dry. However the “bliiping” noises are so much louder in here. But nothing is wet! I clamp my eyes shut to zero in on the source. It’s coming from inside that huge pipe emerging down from the ceiling. Surely that’s not normal. I’ve never been aware of it emitting noises before. What’s immediately above? The bathroom. Huh.
I dash upstairs for a quick look at the upstairs toilet. All looks normal in the basin. Should I peek in the tank? I do.
Courtesy of www.plumbingsupply.com
At this point I’d love to report that the refill valve assembly and flapper valve are functioning as they should. Ha! As if. Honestly, we’re suddenly talking Italian here. Or perhaps Mandarin. Just typikel me – I don’t know the first thing about toilets and how they work. That technical jargon was pulled off a quick “parts of the toilet tank” Google search performed just this second.
In reality, a quick peak into the tank reveals water and all the bits of equipment you’d expect to see inside a tank. I’ve no idea if they are doing what they should be doing. However there is a faint surging sound. A gentle, regular whooshing. That’s new. At least I think it is.
I retreat back downstairs to have another listen. The drips are still dripping.
Ok. I need to deal with this. I’m leaving tomorrow to meet up with my two kids in New York (oh boy if I only knew where we’d actually end up … but that’s another just typikel story you can read about here). What happens if this undiagnosed blipping is a precursor for a huge issue? My mind goes from A (abnormal) to F (full on flood) in a flash.
I visualize my airport approach over our neighbourhood in seven days time …
courtesy of Telegraph.co.uk.
Time to call Tom.
I can’t believe I’ve never told you about Tom before. I simply must in an upcoming post. For the purposes of today’s ditty on plumbing problems that aren’t I’ll just leave it simple. He is my plumbing godsend.
Plumbing Problems That Aren’t.
As usual, he picks up on the second ring. Nevermind that he’s coordinating a complicated commercial plumbing issue on a busy job site.
I choose my words carefully..
“Tom. Should I be concerned that the big pipe coming down from my upstairs toilet is emitting rapid fire never-ending dripping sounds? It can’t be looked at until I get back in a week. Am I in danger of a major flood? Will my house wash away…?”
Once he recovers from his surprisingly lengthy unchecked laughter (obviously a coworker dropped a wrench, is randomly standing on her head or doing something equally comedic) he offers up some sage advice.
“Probably just a faulty flush valve. No worries at all. I can come over and have a look when you get back. But because you’re going away I’d shut off the main water valve. You know to do that every time you go away on a trip, right?”
Oops. How many trips have I taken since he installed the main water valve after replacing the entire water intake line a few years back? Haven’t touched the valve once. For any of them.
We hang up. Relief washes over me as I am confident the “blippp blippp blippps” are minor. Thankfully I’m ulcerating about plumbing problems that aren’t.
As you can guess by my previous reference to the need for the replacement of my entire water intake line we’ve experienced our share of true plumbing problems around here. Oh that’s a just typikel story I’ve just got to share. I will. Soon.
That’s enough about me and my plumbing problems that aren’t. I’m curious about you. Is the world of household plumbing a complete mystery to you as well? Or are you an aficionado? How are you on the handyman/woman front? Are you a natural? Or are you blessed with knowing a person whom you’d trust with your life? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
20 Responses
So glad that you did not come home to a flood Kelly ! As much as I would love to say that I am a completely independant, woman, able to fix anything that breaks or goes bump ( or drip) in the night, I would be lying ! As a matter of fact, we have a kitchen cupboard door hinge that repeatedly comes out of it’s join, making the door fall off. Guess when it happens ? Yes, the day when my husband has just left for a few days, without fail !!
Noooo! That is quite something. Of course it comes off the minute he leaves. So annoying too I bet as that’s all you’re aware of when you go into the kitchen I bet.
Ever since we remodeled the bathrooms and I was the one elected (by the single vote of Husband) to do the soldering on the pipes, I know the plumbing system much better. Of course, there was the time the Doberman broke off the water outlet in the backyard while playing tug-of-war with a rope somehow wrapped around it, sending a jet of water higher than the house. Oh, and when my outdoor sink’s faucet wouldn’t turn off. And the water heater . . . you get the picture. Suffice it to say, I’m pretty good at turning off the water at the source. And even remembering to fill up the tub and every available pot and pan before I do so. I really dislike plumbing problems. Hope all of yours, now and forever, are easily fixed.
Linda once again you make me smile. I can picture the jet of water, the water heater and yes that outdoor faucet that won’t turn off … that is my life! Thank you for your good wishes too. It’s extraordinary – Tom came and replaced a few bits and the toilet was healthy once again. Then just a couple of days ago it was acting up. I called Tom and he’s going to pop over as soon as he can. I turned off water and then after about 12 hours turned it on again. Toilet fixed itself! Just typikel…
Oh Kelly….you tell a story so well! Made me chuckle. I can honestly say that I know about the inside workings of the toilet. My Grandfather taught me how to completely replace those magical inner workings! He was one of those ‘do it yourself’ers’ and I was his little sidekick. That knowledge has come in handy on more then one occasion! It is a simple thing and your plumbing guru should have you “back in business” in no time!
Thank you Debbie. How very handy that you can do all of that. Pop on by – anytime. Coffee/tea/wine always on hand!
I know how to jingle the chain thingy in the tank to stop the toilet from running, but that’s about it. We had all our indoor pipes replaced years ago because they were made from a faulty material that was prone to bursting. Cost a bundle, but not as much as a house flood would have cost us!
Yes, the chain thingy! I know how to do that do. That must have been quite the undertaking getting all the indoor pipes replaced. However you are so smart.My neighbour has been out of her house for going on three months now due to a burst pipe in her basement. Today they delivered the drywall so there’s hope. But still – that’s an awfully long time.
I just love reading your stories. As always you’re a great writer! I must admit I rarely turn off my water when I leave town… Maybe I’ll remember next time now that I read this little baby!
Yes – Tom, my magical plumber is adamant that they be turned off. Guess he’s seen a lot of horror stories of happy folks returning from restful vacation to find …
I too am relieved you are not swishing about knee deep in water. I have no idea when It comes to plumbing and neither does my hubby although he certainly tries. I curse whenever we get to much as a dripping tap as washers are too tricky for this dynamic duo,
We have other skills Karen. We have other skills. At least that’s what I keep telling myself …
LOL. I’ve got a couple of things going on in my new place that I need to deal with too. I hope they are minor but either way they are the landlord’s responsibility and he’s a contractor so I’m sure he’ll take care of them if I can’t (I’d like to be able to do the little things myself without bothering him).
Yes! A landlord! Brilliant concept Michele. Hope he gets right on to the jobs you can’t fix.
Tom sounds like the greatest! I need a Tom for these types of questions! Seriously, though, is everyone supposed to be shutting off their main water valve when they travel? I had no idea.-Ashley
I had no idea either Ashley. Important to note also that when you turn the water back on do it ever so slowly. Otherwise you might have more problems on your hands. Apparently.
My first instinct is to pick up the phone and tell my husband. I don’t even begin to pretend I know a thing about plumbing! 🙂
Smart Meredith! Smart!
I’m so lucky that my dear husband is a household repair genius. We take care of two other houses in addition to our own, and he can fix problems in them all lickety-split. If it were up to me, I’d have to call in a pro each time. As for our own hot water heater mishap, last year I had to rush out of town to tend to a family emergency. My husband couldn’t leave. During that time, our hot water heater broke. Had my husband been able to travel with me, we would have lost the oak floors in an entire room due to water damage. But he was able to fix it instead!
What luck! That would have been a horribly soggy mess to come home to Harmony. The angels were on your side that day!