- Rain creates big plumbing problems. Especially the torrential downpour we had today.
- Learning where the water shut-off valve is an important piece of information to know. It also helps if it is not leaking (a.k.a. broken.)
- Drains in our basement are not as good as they should be.
- The edge of our brand new carpet is wet. I am sad.
- While I don't really like the aesthetics, I am glad we have those metal window awnings over our open windows on rainy days like today.
- Plumbers are very, very expensive.
- Having a good one is very important.
- You can get a lot of good advice and tips just by having plumbers do estimates for projects.
- Easy decision: using the composter for free vs. paying $400 for a garbage disposal to be installed. (I didn't even want to ask about the dishwasher.)
- Easy decision: spending our $100 Lowe's gift card on a dehumidfier for the basement vs. a new medicine cabinet or cool tool box.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Things I am Learning from Homeownership: Plumbing, Part I
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9 comments:
Sorry you are finding out about plumbing the hard way. YIKES --- that uses up the gift card pretty quickly.
What a bummer! What happened? Will your homeowner's insurance help out?
A good idea is to take big tags and tie them to all the important valves and things in the basement (main water shut off, gas lines, etc.) so that when things like this happen, you (or someone unfamiliar with your house, like your family) can find them right away. Especially if it's an emergency, as (if you are anything like me) you forget where your head is in an emergency and finding the main water valve might be difficult.
Allison - sorry to hear you had this plumbing lesson so soon after you moved in. It'll get easier. Sorry to hear about the carpet.
Oh Allison, a good plumber is worth his weight in GOLD. And pay them to do something for you. Then when you have a real, true, horrible, emergency (sump failure in a week where it rains 20"), they will put you at the top of their list, because you are a "regular customer". This is the voice of experience speaking.
Kimmen
We have to have a dehumidifier in our basement. It makes a huge difference in the air quality. It also makes moisture from any water leaks dry much faster. I think it also makes the clothing I hang dry in the basement dry faster. Since we have been able to maintain a pretty dry basement we are able to use the space as another floor to our home. It's great to have more space!
Eep, that doesn't sound good..
What is this 'garbage disposal' thing? We must not have it here in Aus. I presume it's more than just a bin, if it costs $400?
Ugh. We have learned about plumbing the hard way, too! I feel for you. We actually have to have our slab jack hammered up to replace old piping, so that our toilet functions. Fortunately, we have two bathrooms, so this is something we can save up for! But it stinks just the same...best of luck on finding an honest, reasonable plumber!
re: dishwasher installation - I did ours by myself! Much easier than I thought it would be and you'd be surprised how much information you can find online and by asking the sales people at a plumbing store how to do the install.
Thanks so much for the comments, everyone. The edge of our carpet got wet, about 2 feet in. We put a fan on it and it dried. This carpet is the most expensive enhancement we made, so of course I'm very protective of it. The plumber is the same one our landlord used at our old place (since they are tearing the place down, I'm sure their price is right.) To replace our pressure/main valve was $195; hence why I used the opportunity to ask him about all the other projects!
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