Homebodies - And the adventure continues!

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Published on Sunday, August 14, 2016

By Rita Friesen

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I was getting caught up on the list of jobs I wanted to do. Washing the venetian blinds that hang in the garage was high on the list; they are one of the first things I see whenever I come home. I had successfully removed one and brought it in to soak in the tub. I casually leaned over and turned on the hot water tap. Only to have it come right off!

Hot water geysered forth. Thinking to control the damage, I drew the shower curtains. Alas, they were no match for the force of the scalding water. I grabbed the tap handle and attempted to re-insert it, that didn’t work either. Placing a hand towel over the handle and holding it firmly in place, the water then flowed down and through the spout. 

What to do, what to do? Leaping for my cell phone, I called 911. Not their type of problem, call 411 for the name of a plumber. 411 called the plumber, but not currently in the office. Hand is doing better for we have now depleted the hot water. The situation is dire, I have been pulling towels off racks and stemming the tide before it hits the hall floor. I call a friend, she is at work and her cell phone takes a message. With panic in my voice, I implore her to get hold of Francis. Her number I know, his I don’t. I recall Troy’s number, call him and ask where the water main tap is. Probably in the crawl space. But he will call my neighbour Jason to step over and help. Alas, all the house doors are still locked!! I drape a large bath towel over the offending flow and rush to unlock doors, find the hammer, clear the floor space in the entry closet above the crawl space, remove the baseboards containing the trap door and rush back to the bathroom. The heavy towel has now blocked the drain and the tub is full to the very top! Removing the towel with one hand to clear the drain, and trying to stem the river with the other, I hear voices. Charlotte has called Francis (who was out of town!) who called the plumber, who has now arrived! Troy called Jason who has also arrived. I love my small town! The water main off, the water geyser stilled, the water mopped up. I was water-less over the lunch hour and then the lovely plumber returned and replaced the entire faucet unit – I insisted! – and then in a quiet and calming way he showed me where the hot water tap is on the hot water tank. Easily accessible, had I but known…

I know where the power meter is, I know where the breaker units are, and as a country girl, I would have thought of where the well water entered the house, how to turn off the pressure system. Country mouse adapts to town life…