Remembrance Day. Stat holiday. A time to have a nice lie-in, wake up around 9, watch the ceremony from Ottawa…
“Guys?” says the Piper Cub.
“Yes, Cub,” I say, groggily.
“I think the house is leaking. Downstairs in the bathroom. It’s really smelly and wet. I can’t go in because I don’t want to have the water get me all wet.”
We sprang from our beds to see what was the matter. Mrs P zipped down first while I was getting dressed. “Come down right away!” I hear.
Went down to the kitchen and the back bathroom. Got the smell of wet wood. and then the sound. Water dripping. No, flooding. Argh!
Back bathroom is sopping. Water is running steadily off the ceiling light fixture. Drops of water all over the ceiling, steadily getting bigger and dropping down with a splash. And more water coming down from the ceiling onto the stairs to the basement.
Mrs Piper starts cleaning out the big built-in cupboard. I call the plumber. Of course, it will be stat holiday rates…
He gets there in about 30 minutes. Finds the leak; it’s a hot water heating unit in the room above the bathroom and stairs. It’s bust a pipe. Manages to get the water turned off to that unit, but says he’ll have to come back tomorrow to install new parts…
Suggests I call a disaster recovery business in town - “You don’t want mould to start,” he says, helpfully. “And your insurance, of course. Empty it all out and get fans going.”
Call the disaster recovery guy; based on my description, he thinks that it will be okay if he comes tomorrow, rather than today. “Our stat holiday rate is kinda high,” he says, apologetically. “Best to get your insurance lined up.”
Called the insurance broker. Closed, of course. Went on-line and filled in the incident report. Will call in the morning
Mrs P and I spend the day cleaning out the big built-in. Forced cull of all that stuff that’s been sitting there for a few years. Lotsa big black garbage bags; will probably have to call a guy to take them to the dump, because our dumpster unit is already almost full.
I take other stuff off to goodwill; I go off to get replacement dog and cat food - don’t want their precious feeding routines upset.
Come back and the house is full of fans going full-tilt; Mrs P’s Facebook friends have come through! Yay!
Still smells of wet wood, but it’s clearly drying up, 12 hours later. Mrs P is worn out and is reading in bed. I’m about to start dishes.
Never did get to watch the Remembrance Day ceremony.