i will possibly be away from my blog for a couple days
so i wanted to give you a heads up
if you wish to read on
consider yourself warned- things might get a little yucky
~
we've recently had a lot of rain
& we've recently had some plumbing issues.
coincidence?
two plumbers have come & gone
both to the tune of a couple hundreds bucks each.
well, saturday night our downstairs toilet overflowed & flooded
on its own
yay me
the "master plumber" was called because our regular guys don't work weekends.
of course.
he asked the usual....sewer or septic
we told him sewer.
he comes out & gives us the diagnosis
yep...turns out we're on septic
ok...right there you might think we're stupid
however
on our contract when we purchased our home states "SEWER"
we assumed we were paying for that service all these years via our water bill.
for all you owners of septic tanks you know they need cleaning every few years.
supposedly for a family of 6, maybe even more than that.
we've lived here 14 years
& we have several females
so you can imagine the magnitude of the issue
& let me insert here
apparently with septic, "no female products what so ever should ever be flushed ma'am"
ok, i know the obvious products that shouldn't be
however since we didn't know we had septic....the other, shall we say less obvious
have indeed been flushed....
for years
thankyouverymuch
last night i farmed out all my girls
& will again tonight
we are under "do not use water" rules in our home.
no showers, no dishwasher, no flushing. blahblahblah.
we have a septic removal flusher outer whatever company coming first thing in the morning.
meanwhile
dan & i are bracing ourselves for the potential investment
scared to death this will cost a fortune
stressed it will overflow again
& if you're still reading this ridiculous excuse for a blog entry,
we might have another issue.
the "finding of the septic tank ma'am" may be compromised
due to the fact we have a large back porch that is bricked in along the bottom.
if it's under there, we'll have to remove part of the porch
$$$
all i can say is...holy crap
har har
please don't tell me any horror stories
i'm strung out enough as it is.
smk's 18th birthday is this week
we also have 784 basketball games to attend
& i make a pretty big deal out of valentines day
i know this is not life or death
but sometimes being a grown up stinks. literally.
praying for the best case scenario...
be back soon
xo
(ps...i apologize in advance for anyone offended with my potty talk)
Posts
71 comments:
Oh Paige, this just plain stinks! Praying it will be an easy fix... I'm glad to see you have kept your sense of humor through it, I had to laugh at the situation, not you (promise). Hang in there girl :)
oh gees. what a mess and a nightmare. i agree, being a home owner/grow up is sometimes the pits. but oh so wonderful at other times!!!!
hang in there. i know you will. that's how you roll
oxox
If you had serious problems, I would be you would have noticed a smell outside. When a septic is troubled it doesn;t drain properly and you get a swampy smelly smell outside near the bed. I bet it's just full and overflowing not malfunctioning. If so, a simple pump out will fix it.
We have a septic at the cottage and along with feminine products and dental floss, we were told with a straight face from the "Honey Wagon" (yes that is what he calls his business) septic guy, never to flush condoms as well. We now have a blackboard behind the toilte with a short list of what not to flush so the renters will be aware.
I do hope it is an easy fix and you will not encouter a big expense.
Ditto.... I too bought a home that I was "told" had sewer only to find out that we actually have a septic tank... and we too have no clue where it is. We have not had an issue- yet - but feel that our 12 year old septic is probably a boiling pot... and have decided to have it "cleaned" out this spring. Will keep reading to see how it turns out for y'all. Good luck!
PS... found your blog a while back via my friend Ellie - we were in Australia together(now we are back in the South where we belong) . I love reading about your decorating. : )
Oh goodness Paige, I am so sorry! That really is a HUGE deal. I will be praying for y'all that it will be resolved quickly. Sewer, I mean septic problems are never little. I can still see your sense if humor in all if this, though. You really are a strong lady and you are doing a great job of keeping it together. Prayers and happy thoughts being sent your way.
yikes! Sorry this happened...we used to have septic in our previous home. Never want it again...too many potential problems. I hope this isn't too painful.
oh paige this is terrible! we had a septic tank in our last house, and they are tricky to maintain...but you have to know about it. that is horrible that you didn't!! chris didn't even let me put food down the disposal at our last house. i will be thinking of you!! depending on the size of your lot, most septic tanks are away from the house a little bit, usually!
Yep, yep, yep. You made me relive our nightmare with septic tanks. But on the bright side, this too shall pass. Love your blog and hoping you find it with out too much trouble. For future reference, we made a map of every inch of our septic, starting with where it starts from the house to where it ends. Don't laugh, but I have a file named, Septic Tank Map. Good Luck and God Speed...
Totally stressful and scary how much it may cost. I am sorry you guys are going through this. Any recourse because of the house contract misstated?
I wish you the best of luck with it all and I am sorry you and your family have to deal with it. I have to agree with those who say you would most likely have noticed a smell if it was not working. I hope that just a pumping out will be all that is necessary.
Oh geez..I am on a septic also and I am getting a little freaked out myself. Is there any maintanence you can do to keep this from happening?? Sorry and praying for low cost!
so sorry my friend.
Did you have the house inspected when you purchased it? If so..then your inspector should have stated that fact.
If not...then you might be getting all the money you fork out...right back in your pocket.
I'll call you tomorrow..hang in there.
Oh No! I know it's one of those things that just seems to be getting worse. Know that prayers are being said so that you will make the best decisions.
Sorry, Paige.
Not offended by potty talk.
The hubs is a retired plumber and oldest son is also a plumber.
I could add some mighty funny things...but I won't.
Just hope that things get worked out sooner rather than later.
Look at it as a memory you and your family will smile about....MUCH later!!!
hang in there, girl!
xo
Have been there with my house....we thought it was city and found out it was not...we had to then just hook it up to city. this area was county at one time and the city bought it out put in sidewalks and city hook ups...but not in our house did it happen until we bought it...I feel your pain..not easy with kids in the house. Wishing you a better week..with some great news....
OH this is terrible!!! And now that you've lived there 14 yrs. you probably can't do anything about being told you had 'sewer' when you bought the house. Unless you pull out the paperwork...and...well, is there anything you can do????
oh my - that is such a bummer. I agree being a grown up is not fun lots of times.
sending prayers for a best possible outcome.
xo ellie
Oh no!! This is starting to sound strangely familiar...we too have lived in our house almost 15 yrs, septic tank, 4 females, MAYBE flushed a few things we shouldn't have....yikes!! Hold on to the name of that "master" plumber! If you are like me, there are a million other things we would prefer to spend that $$ on!! Praying that everything goes well!
I'm sorry. Sounds awful! Hang in there! Hopefully it will work out the best it can. :) xo
I can't believe you managed to email me back with all that's going on. Paige! :( I'm soo sorry. I wish I lived closer, I'd come help you shovel. or mop. or whatever you have to do when everything overflows. :(
I've said "I hate being a grown up" more than once in the past week! Praying it gets better!
Hi, I know the feeling. Ours does the same thing every so often. We get it pumped and it is good for awhile. The best stuff I have found is septal. Google it. It is from Canada and stuff to put down your toilet and it helps a bunch. Just follow directions after you get it pumped. It has saved me. The best story I can tell you is we were having a professional shoot of our house. Wonderful all day project. I was in a couple magazines. That night when everyone left I started the washer and collapsed on the sofa. A bit later I went to go in the bedroom and stepped in wet carpet. the bathroom was flooded with you know what. Nothing like reality to put you in your place!!!! Good luck, Stanna
(shabbyloft@aol.com)
Oh no...that really sucks, plain and simple. I hope it all works out OK and things calm down. How frustrating.
Oh Paige, I'm so sorry. Your right. It really stinks. Praying it will be an easy fix.
Poor, poor girl! I'm so sorry! When it rains it pours? I hope you have better news than you are expecting and suddenly my fit about having to pay for 2 new windshields in 6 weeks seems rather silly. Wish I could hug your neck!
Oh girl, you're right ... it does stink. Having dealt with a septic system for 26+ years I have words of encouragement -- they'll find it, they'll pump it (more than likely for less $ than you've imagined!) and it'll be over. You'll be aware of the situation, make your family aware of it & then you won't have any more problems from here on out. Sayin' a prayer that all goes well for you & the fam in Jesus name! :)
oh no! Hang in there! OH NO!
Lea
xo
oh my gosh that totally sucks. What a gigantic bummer. i'm sorry you're going through this. I would be completely stressed also. I hope it's not under your porch!
Oh Paige,
I will be praying for you! I have a septic, and I was totally thinking, the rule of thumb is every other year it gets done. As far as finding it, town hall should have the master pland and I will PRAY it is not under the brick foundation! The light at the end of the tunnel? You found out now and not another year or so that it is a septic system! Can you do anything that they told you the wrong thing?
Paige -- That totally sucks! Hoping and praying for the best possible outcome. Hang in there!
Hi Paige, Check your home insurance for coverage . . if it does not cover the septic tank, it might just cover the brick work replacement if need be. Definitely will put you and Dan in prayer for this. Sandy:O)
prayin' for ya girl. that's awful & icky...poor thing.
I'm so sorry for you. We just had our washing machine and hot water heater go out at the same time. I understand the challenges. We had to re-do a bunch of plumbing and so on. The unknown with the money thing is definitely scary. Plus, trying to figure out who to trust. Yah, it makes you want to go back and have the troubles of your youth.... "oh my gosh, do you think he just looked at me?" "Should I wear this to the dance?" Ha!
J in WA :)
Oh Paige! So sorry...this is awful! We've had some plumbing problems lately and it's no fun. I'll say a prayer that it is able to be taken care of quickly and cost effectively!
Very sorry! I know this is stressful. Our last house had a few plumbing issues (leaks, several, shoddily built house) and it was NO fun forking out those dollars and never knowing when the next leak may be. Really hope that tank is in an easy to get at place!!
I just found your blog a few weeks ago. Its delightful! And your family is just beautiful.
Good luck with this hurdle.. Hopefully it will all be over soon - and you can look bad and say that `was' horrible but over now!!
God Bless
Paige! Oh my gosh!!! I am in shock after reading this. What a horrible and stinky rude awakening. I hope all goes well tomorrow. Left a message on your cell. Hopefully you'll be back to business as usual in the K. household really soon. Praying for a quicky, easy and inexpensive solution.
hang in there Paige....we have had septic in previous homes - they are stinky and can be problematic. We always had nice septic company workers who took pity on us septic-novices. I hope you are having the same luck.
xo~Jill
Paige... We had ours pumped in December and three years prior to that! Our guy told us the same thing... I googled some options and found this product.. THE DIVA CUP!!! I have not ordered it but it gets great ratings. Anyway we treat ours with a pack of bakers yeast each week! Good luck :)
Aw, man! This does stink. I'm sorry, Paige! If it's any consolation, I read every word of your post AND we are on septic and I had no idea about the "no flushing" rule. No flushing (ahem) "those"?? For reals???
being a grown up is not at all fun sometimes.
if it helps, i'm seriously praying for the best possible outcome....
much love sent your way.....
Oh no that is a horror story. I'll cross my fingers that this mess can be fixed without to hefty of an investment of $$$. Being an adult is so hard at times. Praying for you while you wait with no water for a fix to your septic system!
~ Ali
You said, "Sometimes being a grown up stinks."
Amen, sister.
Hoping for the best,
Linsey
Not fun. I hope everything turns out better than it looks right now.
Sweet Home Alabama! I'm dyin' for ya. That is unbelieveable. I'm crossing my fingers for you and saying a prayer.
Dang it! If you lived near me, you could all stay at my place.
BTW...I don't know squat about septic systems, but I really think that you would have noticed issues like "a smell from hell" (excuse the language) before now if there were serious issues.
However, if you haven't pumped it out over 14 years, that must be one big ol' tank.
you made me laugh, what potty talk?I hope it turns out better than expected!! and less costly too!
YIKES! I'm so sorry!! What a pain...and I don't blame you for being stressed. Here's hoping that the issue is solved with the least possible difficulty and the least possible expense. :-(
Oh sweetie... sending you TONS of love and prayers... this is completely stressful!! I pray it will be an easier fix than you are anticipating!
I'm so sorry!!! We had a terrible leak/overflow in our bathroom a while back and WHAT a mess!! It took me a couple weeks to get things back to normal!!
I hope it all works out and that it can be fixed the easiest way possible!! hang in there!!
i'm so sorry! i hope you can get everything fixed without much hassle.
i am worried now because we are on septic and we bought this house in sept. 09. we have no idea the last time the septic was pumped so we are sitting on a ticking time bomb!
Fingers crossed
that all ends
well!
xx Suzanne
Praying for an easy, inexpensive fix!
you poor thing! being a grown up does stink some time, doesn't it? and things like this never seem to happen when it might be "convenient" (i.e., a week of nothing but hanging out at home). ah well. this too shall pass! chin up!
Hey girlfriend...how crummy is this! I see I'm the 54th comment so I'll go ahead and just say "Ditto":) Sending you prayers AND hugs! By the way, at least you had the right to be stressed and blog about it. I just took off on the Super Bowl and ranted endlessly..like anybody cares:) Oh well...stress is stress...and we need to talk about it, right?
XOXOXO
Oh man...so sorry Paige! I pray it's not as costly as you think and that you'll all be back in your house soon!
Oh crap :) I had a septic in a couple different houses. They tell you the no flush deal but people do it anyway. The biggest problem is flushing chemicals because it disrupts the whole spetic ecosystem... Yes, they come out with the truck and suck it all out and it is usually about $800 or so ...where we live. There are some legal remedies if they have to take off the porch...because the disclosure was inaccurate.
Crossing my fingers it does not come to that...
Oh Paige, I am so sorry!
I'm sending you the biggest of hugs, and hugging you tight...even if you are just a wee bit stinky. :-)
XOXO,
Anne
That's just terrible. Hope it goes well and not isn't too pricey.
I am praying for you.. we have had numerous issues with flooding in our home and it isn't pretty.. however, GOD is good and found out it was the Cities problem and fixed it, however they tore up our driveway and it looks awful, but we did not have to foot the bill.. I hope it all works out for y'all!
Paige, I am so sorry for all your troubles; It always seems like when it rains....it pours! Take care! :)
Jodi
I am SO sorry. I will pray for the absolute best outcome possible. You are right, sometimes being an adult does "stink"!!! When I hafta deal with this kind of stuff, I try to remember God knew this would happen before He set the world in motion, He cares about you and since He has plans for those who love Him, He knows what the solution for this is. May you rest in His Peace.
Oh goodness, I am so sorry! What a mess!
i picked a good day for a visit!!! :))
oh, honey-this is life! all stinky and wet and gooey, and stressful. i'm sorry for the stress. and the stinky. i hope they find the tank out away from the porch and that it just needs to be cleaned out. we had our first septic escapade 6 months after we moved in. it just needed to be emptied.
love to you
I am so sorry that this has happened to you!!! This has happened to us too! At the time I did everything I could to fix it, and later was disappointed in myself that I hadn't taken it to God first. God brought us through even though I had forgotten to put him first. Another practical suggestion...our septic tank was found in our garage...strange but true. There was one opening that we found and to find the other tank openings we followed a straight line, had a friend saw through the concrete and then we started digging. We found the other two lids this way!! And we only had to pay to put risers on the lids and have the concrete replaced over the two small sections. Instead of having the entire garage dug up and paying the septic guys to do it.
Oh honey, I am so sorry that you are going down this road. There is nothing quite like learning something is horribly wrong with your home. been there. done that. It will be over before you know it but until then, not so fun. I will be thinking of you~
xx
i dig some paige honesty!! you rock.....ma'am
In FIVE years this will be a funny story that you tell.
You know . . . bathroom humor.
I've had septic. Cleaned it out every 2-3 years just to be safe as my neighbor overlooked that part and had a huge mess. (YES I put it on the calendar)
Keep your sense of humor, things will get better.
About that bill . . . whenever anyone says something isn't worth sh--, tell them it's really worth more than you think.
poor honey....hang in there....
Oh gosh, I would be crying in a corner. Just prayed for everything to be resolved quickly and cheaply!!
Oh Paige,
I have been in your same shoes....We have been dealing with septic issues for about five years now......We are on the punch card system with our local septic drainer and he has to come and drain ours at least two times a year.....(we are a family of five).....anyway, were told that are septic was put too close to our home....Imagine that.....I am constantly living in fear that everything is going to come up through the basement toilet and shower, (which has happened in the past, and I was the lucky one)....I too did not know that certain things could not be flushed as well as special laundry detergent, dish washing soap, bleach and so on and on and on.....Good luck to you!
Sandi
I came back to comment on this post since it was the first one I read, but I just wanted to say that I read the whole saga and I am so sorry this happened to you! Holy cow!
We're on septic, and we have ours pumped about every five years (there are five of us in the house -- soon to be a surprise sixth!) ... and I have always been petrified of a septic backup.
I'm from Atlanta (we were actually just there this weekend) but have lived in Birmingham for 17 years now, and I'm new to your blog. We have three boys, ages 8, 6 and almost-3. Just wanted to say hello!
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