Wednesday morning: I turned off the vacuum and wondered why I heard water running in the kitchen. Walked into the kitchen to see water gushing from under the sink like Niagara Falls. It was hot water, searing my sock feet and clouding my glasses, so I couldn't see exactly where it was coming from or where to turn the water off.
Turns out the plastic line from the hot water tank to the sink had broken. Later, I found out the turn knob was behind the garbage disposal where it couldn't be reached without crawling under the sink.
I called my husband where he volunteers. The receptionist didn't know who I was as we've had a marriage long understanding that we don't call each other at work. I eventually got hold of him and he drove straight home (7 minutes) looked at the situation and turned off the main water line in the garage, behind the water tank. He said I never would have been able to turn the lever even if I'd known where it was.
The water was then about two inches deep in the kitchen and had gone through doorways and under walls to flood about three feet into, the living room, dining room, master bedroom and hallway.
We had this house built for us 17 years ago. It's our pride and joy after waiting through 22 years of Air Force life living in apartments and rentals. We take really good care of it, never wear shoes in the house, I vacuum almost daily, etc.
We were stunned, but we started right in working. He got a shop vac and I started with towels -- sopping and wringing.
All day Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday 2 A. M.: I lay awake thinking the plywood flooring under the wet carpet pad would probably rot and the interior walls would fall down and we'd all die, when the thought came to me, "We have homeowners insurance." We'd been paying premiums all those years and I think in the back of our minds it was just for fire.
Friday morning: Called Nationwide. They were so nice. They immediately started our claim and most importantly, worth years of premiums, was they connected us with a "Mediator" and "Reconstruction Contractor" in our area. People we didn't know existed.
Saturday morning: They came and used a gadget to see where the water was under our carpet which was now dry on top from all our hard work. Lifted the carpet and rolled it back about four feet, cut out the wet pads and set around seven industrial fans and one huge dehumidifier to dry it all up. When it's all dry, the reconstruction people will put in new pads, put back the carpet, replace the baseboards and kitchen kick boards, paint as needed.
Sunday morning: About to go mad from the fan noise, but so relieved I could cry, just to have it in someone else's hands and to know we wont all die of mold disease or something worse.
Now I can go back to worrying about Covid and wild hogs.
Turns out the plastic line from the hot water tank to the sink had broken. Later, I found out the turn knob was behind the garbage disposal where it couldn't be reached without crawling under the sink.
I called my husband where he volunteers. The receptionist didn't know who I was as we've had a marriage long understanding that we don't call each other at work. I eventually got hold of him and he drove straight home (7 minutes) looked at the situation and turned off the main water line in the garage, behind the water tank. He said I never would have been able to turn the lever even if I'd known where it was.
The water was then about two inches deep in the kitchen and had gone through doorways and under walls to flood about three feet into, the living room, dining room, master bedroom and hallway.
We had this house built for us 17 years ago. It's our pride and joy after waiting through 22 years of Air Force life living in apartments and rentals. We take really good care of it, never wear shoes in the house, I vacuum almost daily, etc.
We were stunned, but we started right in working. He got a shop vac and I started with towels -- sopping and wringing.
All day Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday 2 A. M.: I lay awake thinking the plywood flooring under the wet carpet pad would probably rot and the interior walls would fall down and we'd all die, when the thought came to me, "We have homeowners insurance." We'd been paying premiums all those years and I think in the back of our minds it was just for fire.
Friday morning: Called Nationwide. They were so nice. They immediately started our claim and most importantly, worth years of premiums, was they connected us with a "Mediator" and "Reconstruction Contractor" in our area. People we didn't know existed.
Saturday morning: They came and used a gadget to see where the water was under our carpet which was now dry on top from all our hard work. Lifted the carpet and rolled it back about four feet, cut out the wet pads and set around seven industrial fans and one huge dehumidifier to dry it all up. When it's all dry, the reconstruction people will put in new pads, put back the carpet, replace the baseboards and kitchen kick boards, paint as needed.
Sunday morning: About to go mad from the fan noise, but so relieved I could cry, just to have it in someone else's hands and to know we wont all die of mold disease or something worse.
Now I can go back to worrying about Covid and wild hogs.
