Plumbing Woes

Some things in life are only funny after the fact. Here's an example...

For the second time, we are having a major plumbing disaster in our bathroom. The water supply to the toilet has been leaking so I tried to tighten the valve and like last time, the whole thing just broke right off - flush with the wall. You might ask, "Why did you have tighten the valve Jenifer? Isn't that what broke the thing last time?" Well, my answer to that is - first of all, the leak was getting worse and two, one would think that if the job was done well the first time that it wouldn't recur, right? Anyway...water gushed forcefully out of the wall and as I learned the last time this happened, there is no way to turn the water supply off as the lever to the main water tank is so old and rusty it broke off like probably a decade ago.

I frantically searched the house for something I could stick in the wall that is just the right size. My five attempts were unsuccessful and resulted in nearly completely soaked clothes and hair. So there I am sticking the handle of the toilet scrub brush that I wrapped in electrical tape into the waterfall flowing from our bathroom wall as water spritzes and sprays into my face. (And this is the scene that drew expletives from my otherwise impeccably-clean mouth that I can laugh about now.) It won't hold! (More expletives) I call the maintenance guy who, after a while was able to find a branch just the right size, wrapped it in electrical tape, stuck it in the gushing hole-in-the-wall and forced it in with a hammer thereby reducing the gush to a leak (just like it was prior to this incident). Ahh. Exhale. Of course this happened at 6pm last night so it was too late the call the plumber. The maintenance guy assured me he'd call first thing in the morning.

A look on the bright side leads me to be thankful we have an Asian-style bathroom covered in tile with a drain. Smart idea really. Otherwise the water would have no doubt flooded the wood floor in our bedroom in minutes.

The scene today is another drama. I've got two guys on the job discussing the problem in Cebuano and I'm doing my best to understand and contribute my opinion. From what I can tell, I will get a new valve (will have to empty the water tank first) for the main supply and new (this time brass) parts to connect the toilet and hand bidet (i.e. "ass gun") to the water supply. That's all the landlandy is willing to pay for right now although what the plumber suggested was a new valve for every bathroom and the kitchen. I also have our helper's toilet that doesn't work and a drain that's clogged. We also want to install an ass gun in the guest bathroom since we will be moving into the guest bedroom soon but that will have to wait. Meanwhile every pipe I see is rusted and cracking. Practically another flood waiting to happen. This whole house needs a plumbing overhaul! Sorry to my husband for saying this, but I WANT MY DAD!!!