Diary of a Fat Man

Where's My F'ing Ark

1/9/2007 12:24:25 PM
The water hose that goes to my washing machine busted sometime yesterday morning.  It spewed forth voluminous amounts of water for over eight hours.  It used to take me a day and a half to fill up my swimming pool using two hoses, yet this one little cocksucker completely flooded my house in less than ten hours.  There was water up to the top of the baseboards in all of the rooms that aren't carpeted (laundry, kitchen, both bathrooms).  Even in most of the carpeted areas, the water level was over the carpet.  When you you took a step in carpeted areas, the water would flood out over your shoes.  My front sidewalk was covered in water and the water flooded my driveway to the point where there was water up a few inches on the tires of the car.
 
I have pics of everything, but I left my camera over at my mother-in-law's house.  I'll post pics when I can.
 
Everything in my house is fucking destroyed.  Both couches, the recliners, my wood tables, the oak entertainment center, my pine computer armoire, The wood furniture in Evan's room, the TV stand in my room.  We're hoping Chloe's stuff is ok, but we're not sure.  Her bed is over fifty years old and was Laurie's mom's bed when she was a kid....the same with her dresser.
 
What's funny is that the big stuff doesn't really upset me.  It's the stupid little stuff like a bunch of our board games that were in the hall closet.  Evan's gameboy and his new hyperscan game.  Chloe's Hide & Seek Sammy dog that she got for Christmas and didn't even get to play with yet because I've forgotten to pick up the batteries every time I go to the store.
 
I'm super glad that we keep our pictures up high because it would have been devastating to loose any of that stuff.
 
Right now, there are 20 fans and three industrial sized dehumidfiers in my house.  The restoration company said it will take about three to five days to dry everything out.
 
The insurance company has said that they will reimburse me if I stay in a hotel, but I would have to pay for it first and then be reimbursed.  But, I'm down to $200 in checking now that I had to pay $500 to the restoration company (my insurance deductible), so it looks like it's back to the in-law's couch again tonight.  Mother. Fucker.  I REALLY missed my TIVO last night.
 
TTFN.

Comments

- 1/9/2007 3:59:39 PM
Man, that really sucks! Good luck with the clean-up... and with the insurance company.
mao inhibitors - 1/9/2007 4:40:18 PM
OH, MY GOD, CHRIS???!!
 
what an awful send-off to the new year! did the kids absolutely freak? i am so sorry.
 
that observation about the 'things' is so astute: sorting, packing and purging are so arduous because the little, abundant things seem to have the most sentimental value.
 
i wish i knew what to say.......this certainly explains that dream i had about you yesterday....(ew).....
 
 
- 1/9/2007 7:45:09 PM
I'm really sorry to hear this. Stuff like this only happens when your broke.
 
This doesn't fall into the "have to have flood insurance" clause, does it? Will they replace everything (furniture, toys, ect) or just damage to the house?
 
Floods are the debil, for sure. We've had more then one of our own, mostly from hurricane's.
 
I hope the insurance company gets on it right away, it's got to be hard for the kids to be uprooted and have their things ruined. I feel for you guys.
 
Jamie
Julia King - 1/10/2007 2:18:46 AM
aaaaaaaaand a haaaaaaaaaaappy neeeeeeeeeeeeew yeeeaaaaaar! or not. Damn, that so serriusly bites, im sorry to hear about that. I hope that insurance pays out quickly, furniture isnt too damaged and you win the lotto this weekend.
MissMerrySunshine1 - 1/10/2007 9:28:11 AM
Dude, that totally blows!  I am so sorry about the mess and missing Tivo, that is a big deal.  Good luck!
mao inhibitors - 1/10/2007 10:32:09 AM
i wouldn't have it any other way.
 
it's kind of eerie to look at your christmas pix now, huh?
 
let me know if you need any replacement 'stuff' after your last dump run is completed. i have acres of it *thrumming fingers together*. i hate board games....
TexasGirlJen - 1/10/2007 12:54:20 PM
NOT COOL!
 
So was the washing machine on when it happened? How did that happen?
 
I hope insurance will also cover the damage to the kids' stuff, in addition to the furniture, etc. The stuff that can't be replaced, I know, is the worst.
 
GOOD LUCK. So sorry to hear about that. How awful! Keep us posted.
 
j.
Katrina - 1/10/2007 4:00:31 PM
Dude, that's awful! Good luck with everything.
Billie ... - 1/11/2007 11:53:12 AM
That sucks.  I had that happen to me once.  Thank goodness the washer was in my basement and it just killed the few things that were down there.
 
With respect to 'flood' insurance.... I didn't have flood insurance and it was covered.  I think flood insurance is flooding due to natural causes and not mechanical failure.
 
Good luck with the clean-up and the insurance company!
 
Billie
Denise Smith - 1/12/2007 9:01:41 AM
Chris....I'm so sorry!  What a terrible thing to come home to in the evening.  One thing that you should consider.  I think that I would leave the baseboard trim off for a long time (months?).  The insulation in the walls probably *wicked* up the water.  I'd think that you would want to keep the trim off so that the interior of the walls could get circulation and dry out.  They say that people can get really sick from mold that grows in hidden spots like that.  (this was just something that I was thinking about in bed last night)....I KNOW, I need to get a life.  LOL....(worrying about you in TX is a tad far reaching)
Imagine if the water had been muddy.  There is always something to be grateful for. 
Hugs,
Denise 
NJaney - 1/12/2007 2:49:00 PM
Wow...that sucks!! How aggravating...so sorry you guys are dealing with this! Hopefully they're right and everything is bone dry in 5 days. Ugh.
TexasGirlJen - 1/12/2007 9:12:26 PM
Well, what's the latest? With the weather this weekend, will anyone be able to help?
 
We have something in common now besides geography...... I cheated on my diet today. BIG TIME. ugh. Now I know what you mean about being pissed when you do that.
 
And, why can I not stop thinking about enchiladas?
Heather Kerr - 1/14/2007 7:15:10 PM
I'm so sorry, Chris.  What a nightmare!  I can't even imagine.  I'll check back later.
Meemes M - 1/16/2007 10:42:24 AM
much love for always making me laugh :)
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barby ledesma - 1/19/2007 12:06:29 PM
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