Oh, my gosh, The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett is the best book ever. I finished reading it this morning. Do read it!
It’s a good thing I didn’t wait to read because it was just about 11:30 when our pipe problem started to become clear. The water pipes were spitting out water mixed with air all morning. We thought it was a pump problem. Then, while my husband was wrestling the wet clothes out of the washing machine, I ventured out to feel the level on the water tank. It seemed low, so I hurried in to turn off the pump and tell Keith I thought it might be the water level.
We had just bought a load of water last week, so that couldn’t be it, could it? There was over 2000 gallons in there. I went back out to check again. Oh, yes, it could be. The tank was s kettle drum, definitely empty. Then I took off the handle’s weather cover and saw a leaky pipe. It was only then that I noticed the wet sand all around the handle and the base of the tank.
I went in and cancelled my work at the library and called my sister, the talented one. Keith and Lori (and me a little) worked on plumbing all afternoon.
Denise,
No wonder you told me you needed a laugh. This loss of water is tragic. I’m so sorry this happened to you. Will your homeowner’s insurance cover the loss? Did you get the plumbing fixed? Do you know what caused the leak? Again, my heart hurts for you and Keith. I hope tomorrow is a better day.
Thank you, Glenda. Fortunately, there wasn’t too much damage. (Less than our deductible, for sure.) We hope we’ve fixed plumbing, but we don’t know what caused it. We’ll have to wait until Friday morning when the water truck will come back and test it out before we fill the tank again. In the meantime, we are getting our water from 5-gallon buckets. Thanks for your concern, friend!
This slice is one of those glimpses with so many possibilities for more exposition. And yet, I’m loving all the questions left to the imagination. What is it like to live life reliant on a water truck? Which character is least able to hold in an F bomb when 2,000 gallons of life support leak away? Here’s hoping the truck’s return leads to a fixed tank and another slice in this saga.
Haha, Tom. That would have been more interesting if I would have answered your questions. Yes, I’ll have to write another water slice someday.
I never even realized that people had water deliveries!!! I have definitely faced my share of plumbing emergencies though–even if more from the sideline cheerleader role than the ankles-deep-in-muck one. I’m so sorry this happened and appreciate that you at least managed to get a slice out of it. I have so many questions about you and water now–how often you fill up…how mindful of usage you must be…etc.
Great work that you all fixed that pipe! And also an important glimpse into what happens when the water runs out. I’m glad that more is on its way for the tank, and yes, small containers can tide you over, but your post does make the idea of no water come a lot closer. I’m googling The Probability of Everything!
Ugh! We hate plumbing problems. My mother in law had an unknown busted pipe from our freeze in January. She lost a lot of water before it was discovered. I hope things are on the upside today.
Denise, I feel your frustration. We are on a well, and we worry sometimes that it gets low….or will freeze…..or will bust a pipe……or will get contaminated…… And the ants come marching in and build their hill on top of the pump. I’m so sorry you are having to deal with water issues. I’m glad you have a sister you can call to come and help you and Keith! There is joy when we can share the burdens and make the task bearable. I’ll check out the book. Interestingly, the anti-spam password below as I sign in to post this comment is “spigot dr”. You called the spigot doctor.
Denise, glad you were able to fix the problem. Hope that takes care of things for you. This made me think of how we take things for granted until there is a problem and things aren’t working as they should.
Water is so important in our daily lives, but most of the time we hardly give it a thought. What a reminder! Hope it all goes well Friday. And patience and perseverance with those buckets in the meantime.
Oh gosh, I am so sorry. This sounds like quite a job and expense! Thanks for the book suggestion. It definitely sounds like something I would enjoy!
Lori is so versatile! (And I’m sure you provided lots of moral support—and maybe snacks?). I just put Sarah Everett’s book on hold at the library. I have a large stack on my nightstand, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. (I fear I shouldn’t be picking hers up to get back to sleep in the wee hours. It sounds too compelling for that!)
Your misfortune educated a lot of us about water in the desert, Denise. Your line ‘the water tank was a kettle drum- definitely empty’ was great and that paragraph in particular really took us through your moments of discovery. Hope its an easy fix.
Oh my goodness, I’m sorry you had to deal with the leaky plumbing. I’m sure it was even more frustrating to lose 2000 gallons of water. It’s becoming more and more common for folks to have a water tank that has to be refilled, instead of a well. Hopefully it’s not too costly for a tank refill.
Oh no! Water is one of those things we don’t fully appreciate until it is in short supply! I’m glad you figured out and are on track to having the problem solved. Wishing you water solutions.
Kim
LOL! I love “Called my sister, the talented one.” Also really looking forward to this book!