I managed to survive the winter "storm of the century" with no central heat during the SUB ZERO temperatures.
I wasn't exactly delighted with my survival, due to the fact that I have so many other serious problems to contend with. If I didn't survive, it would have been a blessing.
The Arctic temperatures have "warmed" up slightly (it's finally above freezing), but I'm still cold. Just as I was trying to thaw out and FORCE myself to be minimally optimistic, another surprise disaster occurred.
When I woke up this morning, I thought I heard the sound of running water - but tried to attribute it to my acutely muddled mind and unnervingly active imagination.
When I finally crawled out of bed - cursing the pain and impediment of my injured/crippled spine - I limped to the bathroom adjacent to my bedroom.
Could hardly believe my myopic eyes. It was entirely flooded! I initially thought the sink was leaking (one of many ongoing bathroom problems), but finally discovered it was a hose (pipe?) connected to the toilet.
It took several hours to sop up the water with mops, towels, and buckets but everything is still hopelessly wet. I slipped on the floor and fell on my ass in three inches of water. Due to my bad back, I couldn't get up...... had to crawl helplessly around and finally grasp the wall in desperation, laboriously pulling myself up inch by inch. My slippers and clothes were completely soaked.
As I was desperately trying to regain my equilibrium, while dripping water all over the floor, my cat Bosco jumped on the bed and puked on the new blanket.
I finally managed to turn off the main water valve in the house.
So what now??
I sure as hell don't have enough resources to pay a plumber (I could reveal something terrifying that has happened with my financial situation, but it would take too long to explain).
As usual, I'm going to try to fix the damn leak myself.
I honestly don't give a royal crap about anything anymore. My car is dead - - I haven't yet ordered a new battery. This rural shack that I live in is falling apart and I no longer have the strength to care.
Yesterday I ordered more supplies, with the remote hope that I'd try to have a pleasant New Year's weekend.
Happiness and optimism are things of the long-ago past. All I'd really like to do is go to bed, fall blissfully asleep, and never wake up.
I can no longer handle the grim, horrifying consciousness of reality.
Here's the thing connected to the toilet that's leaking. I don't know what the heck it is.
I have absolutely no clue what that is, either. Good grief! I hope you were able to get into some dry clothes and under a puke-free blanket as soon as you could! What next, eh? When you are physically shot and in pain it is hard to care, I know. I still think you should call your cousin, Jon. Everybody needs and deserves some help once in a while.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, no idea what the problem is based on the photo, Jon, as I have no mechanical skills at all. It seems your situation goes from awful to worse and the fact that you can even post about this events is admirable. Your blog friends are here to read about the myriad of disasters, but we can offer little physical help, sadly. You were resourceful before in getting the stove to work so maybe you will fix the plumbing issue too, fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your input - - I'm thinking it might be a bogus shutoff valve. The toilet doesn't have any other valves or connections.
DeleteI checked with Grenville who is more knowledgeable, he said this could be the supply hose, which is the hose going to the tank, he suggested that putting teflon tape on the threads of the valve and reinstalling the supply line could stop the leak.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm positive it's a supply hose.
DeleteAlso he asked me if it was leaking from the valve or the supply. If leaking from the supply put new teflon tape on the threads and reconnect…hope you can understand some of this, Jon.
ReplyDeletePlenty of good information here Jon, especially when there are no cut off valves. https://www.superterry.com/plumbing-101-mobile-homes/
ReplyDeleteThanks for providing this link - it does have a lot of useful information.
Deletestandard size commode supply line
ReplyDeleteeasily replaced
but if valve is leaking, that will require a more involved plumbing operation
ron
I'm sure I can get the parts online - - I'll TRY to fix it myself.
DeleteI have never seen anything like that before, But I would guess the two previous comments are a help. I only hope nothing else happens. It's Only December and could be a long winter. I sure hope your luck changes. If there is a God he has a sadistic sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm being punished for all my past sins. God is laughing his ass off at me.
DeleteOh man! Nothing more destructive than water! A couple of years back JUST before I got hired at Alcon, my mom's rusted out pipe in her bathroom burst! She woke up to ALL of the floors and rugs SOAK AND WET. She called her insurance and they came out within an hour.
ReplyDeleteCan you call your insurance company?
Insurance? What insurance?? I have absolutely none (and it scares the hell out of me).
DeleteSince comments were turned off for the current post, Jon, I returned here to wish you a "better" year than the current one, assuming you read this before 2022 ends. There's no disagreeing with the fact that you have really had a tough year (understatement) as that should read a horrendous year. You do have blog friends who care and personally I hope you will return in the new year.
ReplyDelete