Life's little surprises

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

I was just thinking yesterday about how blessed my husband and I are to have so little day to day problems in our life. And then this morning before my first cup of coffee I go into the kitchen. Standing at the sink, in my bare feet I feel dampness on the throw rug. I investigate. I have a leak somewhere under the sink. Normally its a pretty easy fix, but did you ever look at all the stuff hooked up under your sink, garbage disposal, dishwasher lines in that small space.

Bummer, especially as both of us have back issues. But on the bright side it hasn't been leaking long (I hope) and hasn't done much damage to the wood.

DH just getting out of bed, I am waiting to finish my coffee before I break the news to him.

kitty60 · ‎03-13-2010

In the overall scheme of things a leak is something that can be fixed. I look at it as an inconvenience.

StylishLady · ‎03-11-2010

It's always something. Makes life interesting, sometimes too interesting.

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

Actually that same thing happened to me. I reached under the sink (I can't bend over and get under there very good). I turned off the water. I used by IPAD (stuck it under the sink and could see where the leak was).

I then went to Home Depot and bought new hoses and a new faucet (it was time). Then I called my friend and his wife down the street. They came immediately and between the two of them, they put in new hoses and a new faucet. My friend is 70 like me and has trouble getting down, but he can fix (and does) everything. So, again, with the help of the IPAD (take a picture under it) and her husband giving orders (men are good at that) Ha! I got new hoses and a new faucet.

What did it cost me? Just the cost of a kitchen faucet 'set up' and taking good friends to lunch

When you live alone (like I do and some other's here do) if you are lucky you have friends to call for help.

There have been so many boo boos (I call them) in this house since my husband died, I've lost count.

I'm lucky, my late husband was a do it your self person and he taught me so many things.

Reset the hot water heater after it goes out? No problem, take off the panel on it, push the reset button, replace the panel.

Change the filters on the heat pump? Reset the fuse panel in the garage when they 'trip'? No problem and on and on.

Like someone said. They are little problems in life (although I agree they are frustrating). I know the OP knows that, that's what she was saying.

If you live long enough (unfortunately) you know what REAL problems are. We all know that.

I hope the OP comes back and tells us the outcome. Look at it this way, the day will get better. Ha!

Snowbaby · ‎03-10-2015

I know what you mean. We had to replace the entire floor and sub-floor in our bathroom because the original contractors put the a/c vent under the cabinet and it caused a lot of condensation under the floor and rotted everything. When I got home yesterday, (after the completion of the floor), there was glue all over the bottom of the tub, my shoe molding was black from scuff marks, the sink countertop had black junk on it and on top of all that the walls will have to be re-painted and of course, the floor had scuff marks on it. So needless to say, I have a weekend project!! Now, my husband was home with the contractors, but, of course, he didn't notice any of this. HA!! (MY OCD WAS KICKING IN, LOL)!! Like the other poster said, it's just an inconvenience. I am blessed and grateful that I can do it!!

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

@Annabellethecat66

We still trying to locate where the water came from. Being born under the sign of water, I swear water issues have haunted me my entire life. We are running the dishwasher to see if it one of those lines. The shut off valves and connections are dry. We've checked the garbage disposal. I even poured water on my countertop around the switch that turns on the disposal. It is a mystery right now

So I am going to keep an eye on it. One thing I'm going to do is secure the mess of wiring and hoses the contractor who installed the kitchen left.

My husband's knees are both so bad that once he gets down on the floor he can bearly get back up. If we need to call someone in we will.

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

You guys know how bad my knees are, so I know what you are saying..."the brain says go go go and the body says, no no no"! Ha!

I have found a use for that IPAD. I often put it in places where I can't see or can't reach and it sometimes shows me what's going on.

However, it's different with water, I know you must be careful not to get it on the IPAD.

I don't take these friends for granted. He's always been there for many of the single ladies in the neighborhood. The 'oldies' are moving out and young families are now moving in.

Sorry to insult the 'young one's' but so many of them either don't know how to do anything or they don't want to try. My late husband could and did fix everything and I was right beside him....watching and learning.

It's difficult to get someone out to the house to help (companies) because they want 'notice' and 'make an appt'. Ummm...when water is everywhere, that isn't always possible...right?

Most likely it's one of the hose connections. I also had where the sink trap (the part you see on top of the sink) lost it's connection and water leaked down.

Water is frustrating because it will always flow the easiest way....

Take care and I'm sure there are lots of us who understand your frustration.

Nataliesgramma · ‎03-28-2015

I had a similar experience last Christmas Eve......

Came home from hubby's sisters house Christmas Eve around 9 PM...

Hubby walks into the bathroom and I hear him yelling "Did you spill water on the floor?' (like even IF I DID ..I would have wiped it up). I holler back "NO"..... I run to the bathroom to see my throw rug wet......

Look under the sink and hubby said ..."Looks like the pipe sprung a leak"

Well....Had everyone over the next day for Christmas Day....just told everyone that the funny noise they would hear washing their hands was a bucket under the bathroom sink to catch the water...

Everyone laughed and we got the plummer here 2 days later....

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

@Annabellethecat66

We try our best to be self sufficient. My DH grew up a city boy, but did learn a lot from his father. But there is much about country life, like wells and septic systems that he knows little. My brother, who happens to be my neighbor, is a "jack of all trades" similar to my dad. For years I leaned on him. But between his job, own issues and his health I have backed off from asking for his help.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

I always keep a plastic bin under the pipes in every sink so if there is a leak the water doesn't damage the cabinet. Of course the bins are full of various stuff that may or may not get ruined but the vanity or cabinet won't be damaged.