If you haven’t already heard, a hose burst in our upstairs bathroom showering our house for at least a day while we were out of town.
Our saintly neighbors diagnosed the problem by sound, researched it by letting themselves in the fence and stopped it by breaking and entering. They broke in, turned off the water in the bathroom and the house, then shut down the electrical. They said it was literally raining everywhere they walked - they were soaked. They could also feel the electrical buzz when they touched a wall. They moved everything that was getting wet out of the way and off the walls, put together a collection of neighborhood ugly towels for sopping up, called us with the news and were waiting when we arrived home, beer in hand. We love our neighbors. L.O.V.E.
And if that wasn’t enough, one neighbor took Marco home with her when we arrived for a play date and dinner and packed him a lunch for the next day, another took the contents of our fridge and freezer for storage, and yet another put the three of us up for the night, complete with bedrooms, heavenly bedding, bathroom and wine. We woke to a full pot of coffee and endless emails and texts from other neighbors offering to help. L.O.V.E.
Although the water managed to spare our furniture and beds, the house itself took the brunt of the water’s anger. Most of the drywall in the center of the house on the middle and lower levels is going to have to be replaced, plus the kitchen and downstairs ceiling. The expert drying people are estimating seven days just to dry out the carpet, walls and ceiling prior to estimating the work.
We’ve been relocated to the Hyatt House in Emeryville, a lovely extended stay facility where we’re enjoying our pool, hot tub, gym, restaurant, bar, daily hot breakfast and great walkable area.
We were a little worried how Marco would react to the house. We tried to prepare him on the way home and without lifting an eyebrow he asked, “Is my bed wet? How about my couch? Okay.” To his teachers: “My house got wet! So, we’re staying at a hotel!” To me: “Since we’re staying at a hotel, do I get Fruit Loops for breakfast?” In short, he’s fine.
It's been a lesson in disaster recovery. The first night I went to pack up things we
needed and stood looking around for awhile. I decided on my phone, my Grandma's ring and my necklace from Jeff. Other than that, we don't
need much.
Judging by the looks on the faces of our neighbors when they checked it out, we just might be in a little bit of denial. We’re all taking it very well, I must say. It’s a little adventure that we hope doesn’t stretch into months of inconvenience. And with any luck, we’ll parlay this into some small kitchen improvements.
Here are some pretty tragic photos:
That's water inside the light fixture above.
Water behind the walls before they take down the dry wall.
Plastic partitioning the wet part of the house from the dry.
And the demo begins. Above, my living room. Below, my kitchen ceiling.
Family room.
Dining room ceiling. And the blue tape on the wall? That means that wall is going too. It seems the blue tape is spreading daily.
I know. And we're still smiling!
