Wanted: Handyman. Or an Ark. Whichever.
We thought we had resolved the issue of the potentially massively expensive house repair. First, TH called a plumber, who said the worsening leak in our hallway is due to the gray water pipe being clogged up. He dug around the end of the pipe and made some space for the water to flow out, charged us $180, and left.
It didn't fix the problem.
So TH called an air conditioner repairman, thinking perhaps the water is coming from the air conditioner "sweating." The AC guy said the pipe that takes away the "sweat" is clogged with algae. He blew some air down into it with some kind of machine, poured some bleach into it, put an anti-algae tablet of some sort into the system, and said the problem should be fixed. That was yesterday, and after he left there wasn't any more water coming out, so we thought we had gotten lucky. The plumber had charged $180, and it only cost $50 to have the AC guy come out, so $230 was a welcome grand total compared to what we were expecting.
We were relieved. Then tonight, it flooded again. Big time. I had just finished cleaning the house, which took hours, and I was ready to sit down on the couch, fold a bunch of laundry, and watch tv. As I walked past the AC unit in the hallway, I heard a gurgling noise, and looked down to see that there was a puddle of water. I quickly pulled the carpet back and started throwing towels down. I had washed every towel in the house because that's how many it took to clean up the last disaster, and tonight when I was throwing them down on the new mess, they were still warm from the dryer.
Just before the flood, I had the AC kickin' pretty hard, because I had been cleaning and had worked up a sweat. But I had also done a lot of laundry. So the question remains: Is it the AC, the gray water backing up from the washer, both, or neither?
Not only does the carpet have to be replaced, but now water has gotten under the wood floors where the wood meets the carpet. The wood is swelling, and I'm sure it will warp. Now that's going to have to be replaced too-- if we EVER find out what the hell is causing this and get it fixed. It's getting ridiculous. Very f*cking ridiculous.
It didn't fix the problem.
So TH called an air conditioner repairman, thinking perhaps the water is coming from the air conditioner "sweating." The AC guy said the pipe that takes away the "sweat" is clogged with algae. He blew some air down into it with some kind of machine, poured some bleach into it, put an anti-algae tablet of some sort into the system, and said the problem should be fixed. That was yesterday, and after he left there wasn't any more water coming out, so we thought we had gotten lucky. The plumber had charged $180, and it only cost $50 to have the AC guy come out, so $230 was a welcome grand total compared to what we were expecting.
We were relieved. Then tonight, it flooded again. Big time. I had just finished cleaning the house, which took hours, and I was ready to sit down on the couch, fold a bunch of laundry, and watch tv. As I walked past the AC unit in the hallway, I heard a gurgling noise, and looked down to see that there was a puddle of water. I quickly pulled the carpet back and started throwing towels down. I had washed every towel in the house because that's how many it took to clean up the last disaster, and tonight when I was throwing them down on the new mess, they were still warm from the dryer.
Just before the flood, I had the AC kickin' pretty hard, because I had been cleaning and had worked up a sweat. But I had also done a lot of laundry. So the question remains: Is it the AC, the gray water backing up from the washer, both, or neither?
Not only does the carpet have to be replaced, but now water has gotten under the wood floors where the wood meets the carpet. The wood is swelling, and I'm sure it will warp. Now that's going to have to be replaced too-- if we EVER find out what the hell is causing this and get it fixed. It's getting ridiculous. Very f*cking ridiculous.
You need to contact a reputable contractor who is skilled at leak detection, is licensed, bonded and insured. Right now you're guessing, and hiring people who are willing to tell you what you want to hear.
I can't see that it is the AC line as that should be an exterior line. But I don't know everything. Also, does the leak coincide with flushing toilets, showers or?
From what you've said it seems to come and go, which seems to indicate that it is a waste line problem and not a supply line problem which would be continuous.
Do you have sheetrock damage adjacent to the area? Also, try to see if a toilet upstairs is adjacent to that area, and if so, check to see if you can open up sheetrock to expose a potentially leaking pipe. Sheetrock repair costs a lot less than hardwood floor repair and refinishing but remember water seeks it's own level so the actually leak may be some distance from where it is appearing.
Try your local building trades association for a reputable contractor and be specific about the nature of the problem.
Posted by
Deadman |
8:03 PM
"The bad news is that they have to bust up the foundation around that area, replace the pipe, pour new concrete, and then you have to hire someone else to come in and do something else to the foundation to make sure it's even. At least that's my understanding of the process."
Make sure you are absolyutely certain about where the leak is coming from before going to thesde extreme measures.
BTW, whoever pours the concrete better know how to make sure it is evenly placed under the house. There is no one else to come in and do that after the concrete is set.
Again, licensed contractor with referrals. NOT a handyman. You will only waste money on a handyman.
Posted by
Deadman |
8:08 PM
Thanks for the tips, Mark. We've determined that the problem is that the gray water waste line isn't able to empty out and is backing up into the house. The lowest point in the pipe happens to be under the AC unit. The plumber is coming back to tie that waste line into the city sewer when they switch us over from the septic tank to the city sewer, which will hopefully be very soon since I can't do any laundry or dishes until then!
Posted by
Mommy Needs a Xanax |
10:39 PM
Happy to help. I hate to see people throw good money after bad and there's a lot of disreputable people in my business, unfortunately.
Good luck, keep us posted!
And, your complaining about not having to do dishes and laundry???
:o)>
Posted by
Deadman |
7:31 AM
Sheetrock repair costs a lot less than hardwood floor repair and refinishing. If you know well about this floor refinishing Calgary then you will have to share a post all about hardwood.
Posted by
Unknown |
12:42 AM