Another Week, Another Loop

Before Bryan and I got married, my mother warned him that once we were married, our lives would be an adventure. Now, after almost a couple of years, he continues to remind me how right she is...

And, so, not to disappoint, the adventure continued this week.

Since moving in to our home, we noticed a gurgle when we drained the kitchen sink and our home teacher (HT) showed us a very quick and easy way for the "do-it-yourselfer" to fix it. So, being the electrician, that he is, and the plumber that he isn't, Bryan took a pipe wrench to the drain pipe under our sink to install the vent thing we were told to get. Not knowing his own strength, Bryan twisted on the plug so hard, that unbeknownst to us, he broke the galvanized drain pipe downstairs. I believe this was Friday night. We didn't realize this until Saturday night when we got home from a BBQ and decided to go down and play the Wii. Much to our dismay, the lovesac was soaked! So, our ever selfless HT came over to look at it--- yep, the drain pipe needed replaced. For FHE that Monday night, we replaced drain pipe. It was great! The house stunk like a sewer pit, but it was ok, because once it was done, it would be all good- right? That was the story until they turned the main water back on and--- uh oh--- no water. Evidently, all the corrosion and stuff that was in all our pipes had now fallen from the lack of water pressure and completely clogged our main water line--- clear out to the street. We found this out about 11 PM Monday night.
So, for Bryan's birthday on Tuesday, we were able to rent an excavator and dig out our front lawn and replace the water line. Here are some pictures so those of you that missed it can feel like a part of the fun. This used to be our front steps. Evidently the water main went right under the concrete front porch. We only took out the steps and then drilled a new hole in our foundation for the new water line. I would just like to report that with the wise man, our house is built on a rock--- a VERY thick rock.

Here is part of the trench they dug--- it was about 4-5 feet deep depending on where you landed. Some of us didn't go down or they would have buried us.

We have some great young men in the ward that were there helping us. Here they are breaking up the steps so that we could load them on to a trailer. Poor kids- they only came because their dads made them. It's a good thing they have a sense of humor and a great work ethic!

This is Matt digging with the excavator. When people say, "It isn't what you know, it's who you know", please realize it can be for good or bad. Matt is our HT's brother-in-law and was therefore recruited--- poor guy.

And, last but not least, this is my husband, still fixing plumbing and knowing more now than he ever wanted to know about replacing pipes. The good news is, it should be a one time fix and if it isn't --- he knows how to fix it again! Love ya babe!