Monday, September 26, 2016

Well… It’s Not the Refrigerator and What I Did Saturday

Would you believe it? We went through all the expense of bringing in a repairman only to discover on Saturday that it’s not the refrigerator vibrating/groaning…it’s the toilet!

Or more importantly, the pipe in the wall the toilet is against, which also happens to be the same wall the refrigerator is against.

The toilet in the half-bath has some draining problems. Or would that be running problems? I keep hearing it gurgle, but see no puddles. And when you sit on the toilet, the vibrating/groaning sometimes gets louder (Hubby equates the noise to the Jaws theme song).

So why didn’t I suspect the plumbing?

Because the noise didn’t start that way. It started when I was no where near the half-bath (and I was in the house alone). Plus, I had purposely USED that toilet before the refrigerator repairman came to see if it would make the noise… AND IT DIDN’T! Which is typical, right? Nothing makes the clunking noises when you want them to, do they? So please forgive me for not suspecting the plumbing straight away.

I’m glad it’s not the refrigerator. Not so glad we might have plumbing problems.

**Fingers crossed it’s nothing serious!**

Saturday was a beautiful (albeit foggy), no-rush kind of day. I was able to do what I wanted when I wanted. Didn’t have to BE anywhere at anytime. It was nice.

I actually got the edging done. I’ve got before and after pictures!

This is the BEFORE shot on the short side. Our yard ends at the green box.

See how nice and straight it is now?

I did the longer side first and didn't think about taking a before shot.
Wow! What a workout. Even took my time by edging a line, then cleaning it up (I think the cleaning-up part took more energy--I filled four bags!). But honestly, if I had tried edging before my exercise routine, I’m not so sure I would have finished. At least, not in one day.

I like seeing these physical results in that way, since I can’t seem to see them ON me.

FYI – I apparently inspired my neighbor to also edge his lawn. Bwahahahaha!

After edging (and the much-needed shower), I did a little shopping. Six years ago Hubby and I bought some posters from the Metropolitan Museum of Art (yes, the one in NYC), but never got them framed (they’ve been stored in the closet all this time). I took them to Michael’s as they were having a 70% off sale. When I get the framed posters back, I’ll take pictures so you can see which ones we bought.

I love framed posters. Have lots of them in the house. I have no idea where the new posters will go, but I’m sure we’ll find some place. And if I remember, I’ll take pictures of the other posters we have.

So… Have you ever had your pipes moan, groan, and vibrate? What was the cause?

Happy Monday!

Stacy

16 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Anytime I mow my lawn, I inspire my neighbors to do the same.
Sorry about the plumbing. Hopefully it's much cheaper to fix than the fridge.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Alex - I'll find out the expense tomorrow, when the plumber comes. That's if he can determine what's making the noise. So bizarre!

Jennette Marie Powell said...

Couldn't help but LOL at this! Never heard pipes moan and groan in my house, but when I was in college, we had steam heat, and the pipes banged all night. I so don't miss that!

Stacy McKitrick said...

Jennette - Ahhh, steam heat. I remember those days well. That's usually how the barracks were heated.

The Happy Whisk said...

Hoping it doesn't cost a lot to fix. Congrats on the edging. And thanks. I love the mud!

Stacy McKitrick said...

Ivy - I hope it's an easy fix, too! But even the plumber on the phone wasn't too sure what it could be. Grrr...

Maria Zannini said...

From what you describe it sounds like the vents might be plugged. I hope that's all it is. That's way cheaper than the alternative.

At least it's not the fridge.

Silver in AZ said...

don't even start me on plumbing issues! Jan. 2015 we had a major pipe under our kitchen sink burst. We had to completely re-do the downstairs because of it. State Farm covered it, but now if we have any other major claim in the next 10 years, we are screwed. :( Recently, we have had issues with a valve behind our main shower. It's been replaced 3 times this year. Each time it fails again, the water has to be turned off at the main, and because we have to wait for a Homeowner's Warranty plumber, it means 3 days without water. ugh. I can't wait to retire, and move to a new place (to us) in AZ. :)

Good luck with your plumbing issue!

Stacy McKitrick said...

Maria - I'm all for easy and cheap! I don't want to see a hole in my wall.

Silver - Ooh, where in AZ? We were married in Sierra Vista. I once looked into going back and about choked on the housing prices. Yikes! It wasn't that expensive in 1979.

JeffO said...

Had a bit of a water hammer last winter, where one of the feeder pipes would vibrate loudly when the downstairs toilet was flushed. Cause by air in the line. It somehow seemed to work itself out, which is often cause for more concern....

Nice job on the walkway!

dolorah said...

No, I won't go there with the "vibrating toilette" jokes. Or visuals. Hmm . . .

Stacy McKitrick said...

Jeff - Thanks! I thought I did a pretty good job at edging. :)

Donna - There are vibrating toilet jokes? I am sooooo unworldly.

Stacy McKitrick said...

All - Got lucky. It was just the ball cock, causing the water hammer (good call, Jeff!). Plumber replaced the guts and all is quiet. Yay!

Valerie Capps said...

Glad you got it fixed! We had that "water hammer" noise a couple of years ago and called a plumber who fixed it. (The toilet was okay.) I asked how and he told me to: Turn off the house's main water valve. Open the faucet at the highest point in the house. (Ours happened to be in the upstairs bathroom.) Turn on the lowest faucet in the house and drain out all the water from the pipes. (Ours was in the basement laundry room.) When all the water is drained from the pipes, turn off the lowest faucet and open the main valve. The air pushes out (sputtering/noisy) of the open faucet. When the sputtering stops and the water flow runs smooth, the "water hammer" should be gone. (It was.) The cost of the plumber was $120--the information priceless. If anyone else is having this problem and replacing the ball cock doesn't work they might want to try this before calling a plumber.

PS: Edging & yard looks great. I look forward to seeing your framed posters.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Valerie - We're such bums when it comes to plumbing, we always call the plumber. Hubby can work with electricity, but won't touch the water. :)

Valerie Capps said...

Luckily, I've never had to actually try the remedy. Anything we do around the house always makes me think of the movie, "The Money Pit." It was so "us." Besides, a plumber is way cheaper than a divorce. ;-)