Have I mentioned how much I love plumbing?

I still remember back in the day when I was fascinated by plumbing. Hanging around with mom getting the toilet adjusted just right so that it didn't run. Following my handy plumber around in La Grande as he replaced probably 90% of our plumbing from whatever they used back in 1900 (actually I don't thing the house HAD plumbing then...was probably retrofitted in the 30's. Nonetheless) to brand spankin new stuff. LOVED. IT. The flow. The simplicity. Everything working seemlessly together. I didn't redo the pipes but I was always quick to change out old faucets or toilets. You know, satisfying get-your-hands-dirty kind of work.

Then our upstairs toilet overflowed. Into our REALLY old bathroom downstairs so insurance payed for most of the remodel. Still okay with plumbing!

Then came 2019. Really. Year of the PIG. What do pigs have to do with water!! Do they leak regularly? Do those cute corkscrew tails bear the essence of the water slides of my youth? Maybe there is some link to another year of the pig, 2007, when my home was built. I may never know.

What I do know is that I just want the water to stop flowing with such poetic ease. It began with the sprinklers, popping their pretty little heads not once, not twice but 5 times this season. Then it was the girls tub, damaging 2 floors of the house. Then our waterfall began popping leaks under, around and through (everywhere but INTO) the big whole at the bottom. Next was water from the master sink making it's way to the laundry room. And for good measure, if you want to count last year as well with it's mischievous chinese dog, you can add the freezer ice dispenser and leaking dishwasher to the list.

What is left to leak you may ask? (or maybe you are just ready for me to get to the point). But I'm not done yet. The washing machine!! No, don't even say it. That's the one appliance that is still intact! (although it's neighbor mister dryer did give out this year as well).

I got a call from Sean as I drove out of the North Middle School parking lot today. 'Mom! There is water running down the sides of the water heater! (in the basement) I directed him to the water turn off valve over the phone which he said was stuck and he couldn't move. But then he indicated water was on TOP of the water heater and he thought maybe it was dripping from above. As this was 30 minutes after torrential downpours w/ flash flood and tornado warnings that kept Thomas stranded at school for an hour after release, I thought it was conceivable that some water had gotten in. Sean dutifully followed all of my directions to feel for water on beams and pipes running above. He went into the crawl space with a flashlight highlighting more that a few cobwebs to continue the inspection. Some false alarms but no water. We then went to the dishwasher, an earlier culprit, which he pulled out completely and reinstalled. Looked under every sink on every floor (b/c as I have learned, water travels!). We finally went back to the water heater. 'No wait. the water I feel is warm! I can see now! It is definitely from the water heater.' So out came the plumbers wrench and with a mighty heave he told me the water supply was off, and the flow was lessening. This was 30 min later, just as I turned at the final traffic light prior to my home coming into view. My hero.

So I went into the house, inspected to make sure that the water was all going down the drain as it was supposed to, turned the gas line off and sat down for a home show with slice of pizza and an apple. Trying not to think about the cold shower that was in store for me in the morning...

FYI: My fascination with plumbing has come to a close. thanks to all those that have dedicated their lives to the art of directing water while practicing contortionist moves. You have my respect. And my money.