It never rains but it pours, part 3
Jun. 20th, 2022 02:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
brin_bellway[cw: unsanitary, injury]
(part 2)
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I never did give an update on this, did I.
---
The pair of plumbers returned that Friday. It took them the whole workday, but around 5 PM the bathroom pipes were finally working. The damage was so extensive that the plumbing insurance didn't fully cover it: we paid about $750, which I gather was still a substantial discount over the uninsured price.
It was gruesome to see the holes they cut in the walls and ceiling of the entryway to reach the piping above, to see the rubble and dust surrounding it. My poor, wounded home.
The $750 does *not* cover the cost of repairing the holes: one has to make one's own arrangements for that. We have not yet done so: it's aesthetically unappealing (though less so once the rubble/dust were cleaned up), but not a ticking timebomb the way the failing water softener is. One must prioritise.
(The next energy-efficiency program does not admit people who are "under any renovations", so that's our timeline: "drywall repair" is right above "float money for next energy-efficiency program (since this one is based on rebates rather than subsidies)" on the List.)
---
My ability to wiggle my big toe (and particularly to do so without discomfort) is *very slowly* returning, and is *almost* all the way back now. Likewise the scrape on my other foot, which was more severe than I'd initially realised.
---
Lessons learned:
Stock more kitty litter. One 7kg jug lasted us only until Friday morning: I had to go to the business district and use a public toilet for those last few hours. The 18kg club packs have been out of stock at the grocery store ever since, but I eventually bought another 7kg jug to tide us over and to provide a container to refill with the 18kg boxes (I certainly wouldn't want to have to lug around an 18kg box directly).
When prepper guides say to empty a bucket toilet when it's 1/3 to 1/2 full, and to expect this to occur daily when shared by four people, they *mean* it. The first time I didn't get around to it for about a day and a half and it was closer to 2/3 full, which made it very heavy and a pain in the ass to carry out.
Related to both of these issues: institute a two-bucket or other separated (urine/other) system. If a four-person combined bucket only lasts one day without maintenance, a one-person bucket will probably last four days without maintenance, failing my criteria for a suitable quarantine toilet.
Learn/practise better sponge-bathing techniques. I wasn't really able to do much for my hair, and it was starting to get uncomfortable.
Buy metal vent grates for the entryway and anywhere else that currently has flimsy plastic. (I just checked and it looks like the dining room and kitchen are already metal.)
---
While there are some improvements to be made, overall I'm pleased with how well we were able to weather the problem. I'm glad we were able to stay in our home, neither running out to the business district several times a day nor living in a hotel.
(part 2)
---
I never did give an update on this, did I.
---
The pair of plumbers returned that Friday. It took them the whole workday, but around 5 PM the bathroom pipes were finally working. The damage was so extensive that the plumbing insurance didn't fully cover it: we paid about $750, which I gather was still a substantial discount over the uninsured price.
It was gruesome to see the holes they cut in the walls and ceiling of the entryway to reach the piping above, to see the rubble and dust surrounding it. My poor, wounded home.
The $750 does *not* cover the cost of repairing the holes: one has to make one's own arrangements for that. We have not yet done so: it's aesthetically unappealing (though less so once the rubble/dust were cleaned up), but not a ticking timebomb the way the failing water softener is. One must prioritise.
(The next energy-efficiency program does not admit people who are "under any renovations", so that's our timeline: "drywall repair" is right above "float money for next energy-efficiency program (since this one is based on rebates rather than subsidies)" on the List.)
---
My ability to wiggle my big toe (and particularly to do so without discomfort) is *very slowly* returning, and is *almost* all the way back now. Likewise the scrape on my other foot, which was more severe than I'd initially realised.
---
Lessons learned:
Stock more kitty litter. One 7kg jug lasted us only until Friday morning: I had to go to the business district and use a public toilet for those last few hours. The 18kg club packs have been out of stock at the grocery store ever since, but I eventually bought another 7kg jug to tide us over and to provide a container to refill with the 18kg boxes (I certainly wouldn't want to have to lug around an 18kg box directly).
When prepper guides say to empty a bucket toilet when it's 1/3 to 1/2 full, and to expect this to occur daily when shared by four people, they *mean* it. The first time I didn't get around to it for about a day and a half and it was closer to 2/3 full, which made it very heavy and a pain in the ass to carry out.
Related to both of these issues: institute a two-bucket or other separated (urine/other) system. If a four-person combined bucket only lasts one day without maintenance, a one-person bucket will probably last four days without maintenance, failing my criteria for a suitable quarantine toilet.
Learn/practise better sponge-bathing techniques. I wasn't really able to do much for my hair, and it was starting to get uncomfortable.
Buy metal vent grates for the entryway and anywhere else that currently has flimsy plastic. (I just checked and it looks like the dining room and kitchen are already metal.)
---
While there are some improvements to be made, overall I'm pleased with how well we were able to weather the problem. I'm glad we were able to stay in our home, neither running out to the business district several times a day nor living in a hotel.
