Tuesday, April 30, 2013
The Three
Since we relocated from KCMO, Arianna has benefited from good times with Grandpa and Mommy. Whether an impromptu outing or just hanging around the house, she's had fun.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Long, busy day
Long day.
I had retrieved the newspaper, taken a few quick photos of the snow on the ground -- it is after all April 20! -- and was in the midst of morning prayers, when I saw the plumber's truck outside my window. It was 7:15 AM. 45 minuted earlier than I expected him to arrive.
While he worked I ate breakfast and then returned to the basement and started moving things around.
After the plumber finished, we had a productive conversation about how the house was plumbed. He reversed himself entirely from yesterday and conceded that in fact all the water flows into the tank underneath the house. (He still couldn't believe it.) But, he shared with me information I did not previously have: the tank under the house is quite large . . . large enough for the plumber to actually get inside of!
He noted that the Zoeller pump he installed -- identical to the pump that failed Thursday night / Friday morning -- was not sufficient for the job. In fact, a commercial grade pump (costing ~$2k) would be better suited for the amount of water and waste moved into the septic field. Such a pump would more than likely function for 20 years.
Alternatively, he suggested that he could re-plumb the house. That is ensure that -- with the exception of the facilities below grade -- all the water flowed directly into the septic field. This solution is risky insofar as it would be necessary for all the copper to be at a suitable incline to assure flow.
Interesting conversation. But, I doubt there's sufficient headroom in the basement ceiling to ensure a suitable incline.
With my check in hand, the plumber left me to my work: emptying the closets in the basement hall (including a chest of drawers jammed with bedding linens), scrubbing the walls, woodwork, and floor; cleaning the bathroom and the room off it where the pump resides, cleaning the storage room next to the "septic pump room" under the wall of which water seeped, cleaning the basement floor across which the plumber and I tracked a mess.
It took me about 3 1/2 - 4 hours to get things disinfected and back in place. --Just in time to escort Arianna to her bi-weekly American Heritage Girl meeting at St. Mary's, during which time I collapsed inwardly while observing a funeral Mass.
The juxtaposition of a eulogy and having to attend to the maintenance of a house that is in disrepair, at an age when capital is negligible and energy deficient results in a variety of considerations on making meaning in one's life. But, this is hardly the place for an exposition of where my thoughts led me while sitting in the narthex of St. Mary's earlier today.
I had retrieved the newspaper, taken a few quick photos of the snow on the ground -- it is after all April 20! -- and was in the midst of morning prayers, when I saw the plumber's truck outside my window. It was 7:15 AM. 45 minuted earlier than I expected him to arrive.
While he worked I ate breakfast and then returned to the basement and started moving things around.
After the plumber finished, we had a productive conversation about how the house was plumbed. He reversed himself entirely from yesterday and conceded that in fact all the water flows into the tank underneath the house. (He still couldn't believe it.) But, he shared with me information I did not previously have: the tank under the house is quite large . . . large enough for the plumber to actually get inside of!
He noted that the Zoeller pump he installed -- identical to the pump that failed Thursday night / Friday morning -- was not sufficient for the job. In fact, a commercial grade pump (costing ~$2k) would be better suited for the amount of water and waste moved into the septic field. Such a pump would more than likely function for 20 years.
Alternatively, he suggested that he could re-plumb the house. That is ensure that -- with the exception of the facilities below grade -- all the water flowed directly into the septic field. This solution is risky insofar as it would be necessary for all the copper to be at a suitable incline to assure flow.
Interesting conversation. But, I doubt there's sufficient headroom in the basement ceiling to ensure a suitable incline.
With my check in hand, the plumber left me to my work: emptying the closets in the basement hall (including a chest of drawers jammed with bedding linens), scrubbing the walls, woodwork, and floor; cleaning the bathroom and the room off it where the pump resides, cleaning the storage room next to the "septic pump room" under the wall of which water seeped, cleaning the basement floor across which the plumber and I tracked a mess.
It took me about 3 1/2 - 4 hours to get things disinfected and back in place. --Just in time to escort Arianna to her bi-weekly American Heritage Girl meeting at St. Mary's, during which time I collapsed inwardly while observing a funeral Mass.
The juxtaposition of a eulogy and having to attend to the maintenance of a house that is in disrepair, at an age when capital is negligible and energy deficient results in a variety of considerations on making meaning in one's life. But, this is hardly the place for an exposition of where my thoughts led me while sitting in the narthex of St. Mary's earlier today.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Water in the basement . . . again
While preparing to leave the house this morning, I encountered an inch or so of water in the hall where we keep the bags of wood pellet fuel. I couldn't very well leave this to Sharon and so walked back upstairs and let her know of the problem, changed clothes, and let my boss know that I would be taking the day off -- emergency.
As I suspected . . . the submersible sewage pump failed. So, the water was not localized to the floor drain in "water closet" -- where the well and water softener mechanisms reside.
This is the third pump I've had to replace in 5 or 6 years. This is a problem in and of itself.
Although coincident with rising water throughout Chicagoland -- including the Fox River Valley -- the plumber I hired to replace the pump assured me the pump's failure was not related to the 6" of rain we've had in the past couple days.
Skeptical though I may be, there really is no connection -- physical or logical to what's going on with the weather.
But, because of the weather, most of the day was spent monitoring the situation, pumping water out of the basement, and waiting for the plumber -- who was so busy addessing sump pump failures, he could not work with me until after lunch.
The bad news today got worse when the plumper noted that he would not be able to obtain a new pump and install it today. He promised to return in the morning around 8 AM.
Having gone through this before, the routine of cleanup is well known to me. It is expensive . . . in terms of time and money. But, this is what you get when you buy a custom built house that was put together by craftsmen who weren't really construction workers and builders.
Tomorrow will be exhausting . . . .
As I suspected . . . the submersible sewage pump failed. So, the water was not localized to the floor drain in "water closet" -- where the well and water softener mechanisms reside.
 |
| Water from the house is stored from a large tank under the house and ejected to the septic field. |
This is the third pump I've had to replace in 5 or 6 years. This is a problem in and of itself.
Although coincident with rising water throughout Chicagoland -- including the Fox River Valley -- the plumber I hired to replace the pump assured me the pump's failure was not related to the 6" of rain we've had in the past couple days.
Skeptical though I may be, there really is no connection -- physical or logical to what's going on with the weather.
But, because of the weather, most of the day was spent monitoring the situation, pumping water out of the basement, and waiting for the plumber -- who was so busy addessing sump pump failures, he could not work with me until after lunch.
 |
| Submersible pump connected t garden hose |
 |
| A seeming endless stream of water flowed throughout the afternoon |
 |
| Cold, grey, with intermittent snow showers |
The bad news today got worse when the plumper noted that he would not be able to obtain a new pump and install it today. He promised to return in the morning around 8 AM.
 |
| Awaiting a new pump |
Having gone through this before, the routine of cleanup is well known to me. It is expensive . . . in terms of time and money. But, this is what you get when you buy a custom built house that was put together by craftsmen who weren't really construction workers and builders.
Tomorrow will be exhausting . . . .
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Cold, wet . . .
In contrast to last Spring, when the Fox River Valley experienced unseasonably warm and dry weather that, April 2013 is forecast to be the second wettest in decades. I am not complaining. Last year's drought was difficult to bear.
In spite of the rain, Arianna followed me around the yard while I retrieved the bird feeders for the night.
In spite of the rain, Arianna followed me around the yard while I retrieved the bird feeders for the night.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Academic Fair
Whereas in the past, the Academic Fair resulted in parents crowding the hallways at St. Catherine of Siena, who reluctantly vacated the building, this year the event was limited to one hour. And, it hardly seemed to compare with years past. Fewer parents. Fewer projects on display.
I wonder at SCSS's inability to inspire and excite.
Nevertheless we wouldn't miss it for the world. Given Arianna's science fair achievements, Bruno tagged along too -- regardless of his having to climb stairs!
The gang . . .
A couple of science fair winners . . . Bridget B. and Arianna are all smiles . . .
I wonder at SCSS's inability to inspire and excite.
Nevertheless we wouldn't miss it for the world. Given Arianna's science fair achievements, Bruno tagged along too -- regardless of his having to climb stairs!
The gang . . .
A couple of science fair winners . . . Bridget B. and Arianna are all smiles . . .
Monday, April 1, 2013
Easter Monday
I took a vacation day today to spend time with Arianna. We ventured to Woodfield Mall and spent a gift card at the LEGO Store.
More than likely the last time we do that.
Lunch at Portillo's . . . and at lunch time. The place was jam packed but Arianna managed to find a booth near the window. Bright sunshine illuminated Arianna as she enjoyed her cheeseburger.
Nice to be able to spend a Monday with my daughter.
More than likely the last time we do that.
Lunch at Portillo's . . . and at lunch time. The place was jam packed but Arianna managed to find a booth near the window. Bright sunshine illuminated Arianna as she enjoyed her cheeseburger.
Nice to be able to spend a Monday with my daughter.