Boy meets house.
Boy buys house.
Boy gets a good deal.
Yet, as with anything truly ironic, boy lacks the capacity to fix things. Boy's mechanical fortitude is akin to spitting into the wind, shooting pool with a rope.
Boy clogs sink.
Boy tries Drano.
Boy sees no results.
I dialed the digits of one of my best friends from High-School, who is a plumber. He gave me the down low on how to solve the problem, without a Professional Solution.
Boy plunges until he is involved in a deep sweat.
Boy pours boiling water down the drain.
Boy still sees clogged sink.
It's time for the Gel, the Drano Gel. My father recommended it, and it was echoed by various other sources that were asked. I did the deed, enforced the Gel, and gave it more than the time allotted to do the trick. The Gel didn't do the trick, time for Plan C....Bring Out The Snake!
Boy utilizes Snake.
Boy feels Snake not slithering enough.
Boy loses faith in humanity and his own ability to solve a Plumbing Issue.
There is one last shot, I get Crystals from a Plumbing Retail Outlet for Emergency purposes. This would be an emergency, I haven't had a functioning sink for a week since the manure hit the fan with it. Bob Villa would be vastly under-impressed with my ability to repair anything that went wrong with a home. To Bob Villa I say, "Villa La Sardi." Or in laymen's terms, we'll see what happens.
Boy follows directions
Boy uses crystals.
Boy finds that sink is still clogged, operation stagnant!
The point of all this is simple. Buying a home is a grand way to be on your way to a better financial life. However, it is vital you have what us in the Real Estate Industry call (Reserves) just in case. In case something goes wrong and you can't fix it, in case something is missing and you can't replace it, if you have no money in the bank...that's an issue after closing I hope WE prepared you for. Home-ownership is a priviledge and stauch reality, it's an investment in the roof over your head. Utilize it wisely and make sure the parties around you are looking out for your best interests both now and down the road. As far me goes...I'm going to call one of these guys.....
Crouch - I'm one stubborn guy you know...and when the Plumber comes, I'll watch and hopefully learn so this stuff will never go on again.
Dawn - Dawn, I need to Work....man!
Bob & Carolin - Big Bills = Money In The Bank.....and that was my whole point.
Boy doesn't listen to Engineer Girl. Engineer Girl trumps lowly plumberboy any day. Boy pays price.
(three weeks and counting...)
Jason,
Great story!!! Every home purchase should come with a plumber, electrician, and a gardener. I can keep dreaming of that fantasy. Did you get the sink fixed?
You STILL have that clog?! OMG. I don't even want to know what you did with your sink.
I hire out for stuff I can't do. I'm not messing with gas, so Mr. Harrah will be installing fabulous new gas logs for me this afternoon. I still have my new light fixtures sitting in the boxes though ... Gotta make myself do that.
Boy sees blog
Boy read blog
Boy laughs
Well written on the 'other' side of home ownership. Three months after buying our first house (it was a while ago) we found out that the previous owner closed off all vents and caulked all openings to our attic. There was NO circulation and the roof was completely rotted. Welcome to home ownership.
Jason, try one more thing. Pour a cup or 2 of baking soda down the drain, then add vinegar ( any kind ). Then add boiling water. If it is something biodegradable it should start to bubble up. Sometimes I do it twice but so far it always has worked. It doesn't hurt the drain field either.
Oh yea, reserves are good !!
Jason,
You need a Women to come over and Fix it for you... I would help but i'm too far away.
Tom Weiss
Jason,
I remember in 2005 when we decided to sell our home and buy a bigger one with a pool. I had to close on the new one first and I was then holding 4 mortgages. I hoped that my calculated risk paid off and within 40 days the other home was sold and the 3 mortgages were paid off. I was in tears telling my wife that I hope I didn't screw this one up. On top of everything...the hurricane hit 2 days after we closed. Thankfully we had enough reserves and it all worked out.
You do need to look into the future a bit when you buy a home. You always need to ask the questions: "What if......? Can I afford to fix it when it does happen?"
Did you ever get your plumbing fixed?
Girl buys house, girl dates boy, girl accidentally drops diamond earrings in the sink.
Girl calls boy to fix it.
Boy takes the trap off under the sink, retrieves the earrings and cleans out the full-of-her-hair, gunked up trap. *bonus*
The next day girl is taking off make up, removes earrings lays them beside the sink. Grabs for washcloth with eyes closed. Earrings go down drain, again.
Girl calls boy.
Jason, you just need a boyfriend.
Jason,
I'm sooooo glad that I'm handy. These types of issues don't usually cause me big trouble, but I can see your point. I have clients who have spent every penny they have to get into a house and then don't have the cash when even something as small as a clogged sink pops up.
I hope yours gets cleared soon enough.
Jason, just wait till you have kids. You've never seen clogs until you've seen what kids will put in a drain, or flush down the toilet...
Sis - That was my ultimate fear, that I'd make things worse. About your leak, 6K.....ouch!
Jennifer - And what exactly was didn't I listen too? I thought I tried everything. Get a flight out here and solve my dilemma:-)
Harold - Should be momentarily, let's hope:-) I have a feeling the plumbing bill will cost an arm and the deed to the house.
Tracey - I don't get much more G-Rated than this.
Christopher - I think you are dead on with your synopsis of Drano!
Gary - Ditto to that. I also stay away from Carpentry, Cars, Landscaping, etc. But hey, I can cook and clean:-)
Jo - Good for you!!!
Todd & Danielle - At one point, I was hoping just for that:-)
Sarah - Tsk on my sink!
Kate - The Comedy of Homeownership = Household Drama + Time.
Martin - And what a joy it can be!
Matt - That's the most useful tool I own.
Missy - I will try that.....if it works, I will owe you Big-Time!
Tom - Are you insinuating that you are a woman, perhaps I read that wrong:-)) Come on man, book a flight!
Neal - Now that is truly tragic circumstances, glad things did work out.
Brigita - I am going to try to follow Missy's advice and if it doesn't work, I'm dialing a plumber.
Chris - I know, I'm still working on Weiss:-)
Dan - Duct tape does Rock!
Neal - Allentown needs a man like you......Do you need my address?
David & Kristin - My guess is that they will earn their money.
Diane - Apparently, I have no touch at all.
Trevino - You and me both amigo.
Kelly - Sardi having kids? Now that's a concept.
Jennifer - tock, tock, tock....
Sandra - I'm more of a Gin guy myself.
Jason, You could rename this post SEE SARDI SNAKE. I was going to use another "S" word but you're a class act and even without it you'd appreciate the humor.
I once took a buyer to a rehab and I asked him if he was handy. He replied, "I can fix anything." Wow, I was impressed. I asked if he had a lot of tools. "Only one," he replied and retrieved his American Express card from his wallet. We both howled. I'm off to check out your other post about Active Rain and fun.
Jason... such a small world. I just noticed this post and it was done prior to the one that I did the other day. Both talking about reserves. Great minds thinking a like? Anyhooo.... have fun with your snakes, crystals, and anything else that could be useful. PS>.. did you ever think about taking the pipe apart below? But that would usually require a French wrench. Good luck and keep us posted of your sink. ;o)
Jason, we fortunately live in a condo, where the maintenance guy is just an easy call away and charges very reasonable prices. We have him do all sorts of things around the house.
Regarding reserves, I always tell my clients that they'll need a few thousand $$s lying around ready to be used shortly after moving in to the new house for things like minor repairs, painting, carpet, cleaning, etc.
Andrew - Now that is funny!
Jeff - Way ahead of you bub, plastic tubing though. French Wrench?:-)
Brian - Condo's do have their perks. Reserves are so key for a plethora of reasons.
Carney - That's the only tool I seem to know how to use properly.
Christi - Lol, I'm a pretty stubborn cat at times-)
Kathy - Almost there........
Jason, even though we are mortgage guys, the real lesson should be "don't do it yourself." I can't believe all these Realtor-types not realizing that when they rail against FSBOs, they are just as guilty of having the same mentality.
Everybody needs this experience. Experience is the best teacher. I think it wasn't a matter of reserves so much as it was just needing to try to do it yourself.
Now you know. When you're ready to sell, list it with a pro.
Bill Roberts
Jason.... this is a French wrench..... happy plumbing...
Bill - You raise a good point, hiring a pro. Besides, doing it yourself can often cause even greater trouble.
Jeff - I don't have one of those either:-)
I would have sold the house and paid off the inspector. But that's just me.
:^)
That was a viable option at one point in my frustration Mr. Rob.
Yet, *UPDATE*......I'm flowing again, It's fixed!
Hey Jason,
You can get DIY advice online here if you need help!