to sleep, perchance to plumb

So last week we had our kitchen sink clog, and after 3 days of fussing (plunging, drano-ing, snaking), finally had a plumber out to work on it. Naturally it was the more expensive job, going through the roof vent stack, and between that and fixing a leaking drain basket, was about $500. And he discovered we had roots in the main sewer line. This is a Very Bad Thing. This is a thing that would run $250-350, and if it doesn't work, they have to dig a 6-foot tench in your yard, remove a section of the main line pipe to install a special clearing mechanism, and *that* can run $1600-1800.

But we thought (haha) that we had some time at least, maybe do it over the next couple weeks. Except then when doing the laundry yesterday, the basement drain started backing up. Ok, instead lets call for an appointment this week, preferably Tuesday, maybe Monday. And then this morning, the basement toilet's backing up, and if I run the shower and flush said toilet, the basement drain pools up. Oh. Lovely.

So have to have them back out *today* to try to clear the roots. That's an additional $90 for weekend on-call work, just to start with (but we can't use any water in the house, I can't see being able to wait one more day, saving a hundred bucks or no. That's no sinks, no showers, no flushing. ><) And I'm *Hoping* it's clearable with the $250-$350 job. That'd put it at another $500 just about, and that is doable, it'll hurt, but it's doable. Please please please, if there are any house deities out there, please don't let it be the $1600-1800 job. *Please*. Not the least of which, we've put two years of ChemLawn into our yard to make it look alive, I'd rather not have a 6-foot square chunk that we have to start from seed all over again, if I can in *any* way help it. Please, oh house deities.

Did I mention that I fscking *hate* owning a home? That I never wanted to be a homeowner? That I always wanted to just rent? Ok, just making sure.

Need to hit Walgreens and the grocery store quick, have James wait for the plumber guy to show up (same guy as Friday, turns out he's on-call today, lucky him). Then I guess I'll hang out at home while James goes to Don's game. Were supposed to see Corpse Bride with the other Don this evening, not sure if this will all be resolved or not. I guess I could just send James to that, too, but would prefer to actually see that. I guess we'll see. (And Dear Allergies & Cold: For feck's sake, don't go joining the party. I can't shower to get the usual help from steam, so just let up, ok? >< )

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And so it gets more interesting. >_> Seems the original owner of the home, when doing various improvements and basement/bathroom finishing, he sealed off the main line stack behind dry wall. Behind dry wall. >< So thus the plumber has to run this cable again through the roof vent stack--but unlike the snaking Friday, this requires two people. And the second person is out here at $45 per *half hour*.

They've been at it a bit. Looks like one other person from the company is here, but I don't think we're paying for him (and he's got his son with). So there's four total people out there, and they're getting root crud, but so far progress is slow. As it is they think they broke through a clump, but then it plugged up again when they pulled out the clearing cable. It may be improving some, but they're having to run a camera cable down to see if it's making any difference and how bad the problem is really. Still don't know whether it's going to be the (estimate changed to) $700-800ish job, or that $1600-1800 one I mentioned earlier.

Honestly I shouldn't always focus on the pricing of things like these. But it's what's on my mind, so what I write out.


And am having to shift around where Bebop is shut away during feeding times. Seems he's ruined both the bathmats, and yes, I was just *thrilled* to discover that this am when freaking out about the plumbing thing. But with taking down the laundry hang-up line and collapsing the rack when not in use, we can shut him in that back storage room with one of the litterboxes. Fecking cats. They've been the worst possible pills about this whole feeding separately thing--it just gets worse and worse. As it is, Tink is still bad about stealing Crystal's food, and now Missy's started in on it too. Maybe I need to toss Tink in the spare bedroom with her food and a litterbox...then with Bebop already shut away, I'd just have to keep an eye on Crystal and Missy (who is not so much a food ninja, just a sometimes one). I dunno. I dunno why I even ramble about it. Just kinda thinking out loud. You lucky people, you.

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I almost forgot D:

Happy happy birthday, Mag-u! <3 Luff and hugs and good wishes to j00. Sending sparkle-thoughts your way. *hug-u*


( And so, the plumbing wrap-up. Rambling. )