[I Was Naked]
When I Wrote ThisThe Money Pit 2007
2007-06-25
The never ending challenges of owning an older home can get quite tiresome. Seriously, if you aren't into home repair, maintenance, and stress stay away from old construction.
When I bought my house, I threw alot of money into it. A ridiculous amount but though I joke about being a princess, I know what it takes to maintain a home. I learned well from others before me, and yes on certain days you can find me cleaning the outside of my home, wiping down shutters, windowsills, door frames..kind of necessary when your house is covered in white stucco.
But one thing I didn't skimp on was the mechanics of this house. I upgraded the electrical panel, installed a $9000.00 top of the line oil burner and water tank, wireless networks, had Comcast rewire the whole house, installed a new well pump, and a reverse osmosis system. I get my water tested every year and even pay the water company to mix the chemicals for my filtration tank. Like I've said before..its a steampunk house in reverse.
So how pissed am I now that my well is contaminated? At first I smelled something musty, dusty when I turned the water on in the shower. It smelled like my basement. Hmm. Well it had rained, but I still found that a little odd. But I continued to shower, shampoo and shine. As the days went on, and I used the water I felt it was slimy. But you second guess yourself because you're standing in water and soap and if you don't want to think about it and pull a Scarlett O'hara you continue to use the water. But one thing you can't ignore is an animals instinct. The little pieman, was refusing to drink from his favorite place the toilet. Uh oh.
So long story short, I researched my water symptons on line, and found it to be an iron bacteria contamination. Not suppose to be harmful, but hah, I ended up at the doctors this week with...a bacteria infection...great..just great.
I called the water company but they can't come out until Tuesday and told me to use bottled water.
Maybe I'm taking this too far, but I have accumulated 5 cases in my garage. So I've been giving it to Simon..and my garden. Once you spend the time effort and energy to have your garden grow, contaminated water will kill your flowers off. So there I am in the morning in my bathrobe, pouring water in my garden 20 ounce by 20 ounces. The neighbors must think I'm insane, except for the mere fact that their wells are contaminated as well.
I know the source or at least I have it figured out. Less than a quarter mile up the road a new housing development is being built. They are getting public water and the land disturbance going on is screwing with our water tables. Normally, one would contact the township and lodge a complaint, but since this builders subdivision, backs up and ties into my employer (a builder) subdivision, and they are tying into our pump station, I find myself in quite the little predicament.
I'll have to see how much its going to take to clean the well. Ah, but first one must know where the well is. Little problem. I only have a vague idea but a friend gave me an idea today to resolve that. He told me when the water company comes out to test the water, slip the guy a $20 and ask him to use an M scope to trace the well. This can be done in about 5 minutes. Last year the same company wanted to bring out heavy equipment and tear up my lawn, but I declined.
Knowledge is power. I warned them on the phone and told them what my problem was, they wanted to make up more problems than I diagnosed ..I wasn't buying it. As a back up plan I spent 2.95 to download a book on how to shock my well, but I do need to know where it is first. Another homeowner tip if you suspect a water problem, is to check the tank on your toilet. I lifted the lid and sure enough the tell tale reddish stain and slime was in the tank. I swirled it with the toilet brush to see if the water cleared or if I would have to scrape the sides of the tank to clean it.
I don't mind spending the money on this old house, but I'm not going to bend over and take it up the plumbing if I don't have to. I just like to have cost effective solutions to out manuever these companies that hold homeowners hostage with unnecessary costs. If it really is worse than I think, my friend told me to go to the DEP and let them investigate, that way kind of takes the stress off of me, suing my employer. Though some days....it would be worth it.
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