From Lemons.

Last week the City's Water Department came by to investigate the growing chunk of ice on the street in front of our property. When I saw the flashing red and blue lights of the truck at the end of our driveway, I went out to ask what was going on... "a water leak" I was told. There were two possible causes: a break in the line either on the City side - in which case they would arrange and pay for all repairs, or a break on OUR side of the property line - in which case WE would have to arrange and pay for all repairs.

Within 10 calendar days.

Guess which side it was on? Yup. Lucky us.

Not.

The safe zone is marked off

So if we failed to repair it within 10 calendar days, our water would be turned off... the estimate? Around $ 5,000.

Ouch.

The underground power and utility lines were marked off and work began two days later. Of course I had to take a vacation day to be home. And of course they had to turn off the water to work. So the night before, washing and drinking water was stored. Laundry and dishes were done and we filled up the tub to scoop water for the toilet.

(Holy crap... you never realize how much water you use until you don't have it...)

Early Friday morning the digging in the front yard began in an attempt to locate the leak's location.


Oh this is going to look so great come Spring...


A cage is lifted off a flatbed and pushed down the street by the loader.


I have to say the guy operating that huge machine maneuvered it with expert precision.


Lowering the cage.


Then a vacuum truck was called to drain the water filling up the hole. When a neighbor called to ask "what are you building?" I was sorely tempting to reply "An in-ground pool...."


After hours and hours of searching... no leak was found.

Crap!

That meant it was somewhere under the house.

It also meant more permits.

And more money.

Oh joy.

At least they could turn the water back on over the weekend while I moved everything from the side of the basement they would need to work in. Good thing I had a few days... the storage room was packed. Packed full. I always meant to clean out that room...

Then while emptying it, I noticed a wet spot on the carpet in the room I have my Star Wars collection in.

The collection I have been meaning to cull for a long time.

The collection on the walls, on tables and hanging from the ceiling... Gah!

So I boxed up my collectibles, moved out the tables and shelves, ripped out the carpet, the underlay, washed up the floor and took down the posters and displays from the walls.


Monday morning the tub was refilled, water set aside and the Zoo sequestered into the bedroom and studio. With the crew in and out of the house and the sound of jack hammers breaking concrete, I had to ensure the dog and three cats would be safe and sound.

After turning off the water supply again, a hole was drilled near the foundation and surprise, surprise.

No leak was found.

But a LOT of water was...

After pumping it dry again, a valve was placed on the line and they pinned down the location of the leak somewhere between the front of the house and our meter about twenty feet away in the middle of the basement. So, instead of digging out the entire room's floor, a copper bypass line was recommended.