Look here, universe. We need to have a conversation. Ya girl is tired. TIRED, okay??
I sew in my basement. A pipe above the water heater burst in the basement. You do the math.
😩😩😩
DEEEEEEP SIGH. So. Much. Water.
Ten days ago, I woke up to a strange hissing sound coming from what I thought was the bathroom. As I stood there listening, it hit me. I ran downstairs to find 70% of the basement floor covered in water. Bae thinks the pipe burst early in the night (around 11pm) and just poured for hours (until discovered at 7am). That water bill is about to be bananas.
Given that the pipe was overhead, it rained water onto inconveniently-placed stacks of boxes of out-of-print patterns and fabric.
My sewing machines were in an adjacent room to the water heater, so thankfully they didn't get wet. All of the pedals, though, were sitting in water (not fully submerged). I have a space heater that I usually leave plugged in; I am so grateful that I unplugged it months ago for some unknown reason (lookin' at you again, universe).
Though my basement has never flooded from heavy rains (knock on wood), I already had the necessary equipment to deal with floods (thanks childhood memories). I used a submersible pump to pump the water (omg...so much water) to the utility tub and Bae used the wet-dry vac to soak up water from the carpet. We tried to save the carpet, but nah, it had to go. I ran my dehumidifier nonstop and borrowed a floor blower from a dear friend.
It's taken nearly two weeks to dry all of the patterns. I tried several methods:
- drying outside (quick, but I think some birds or other wild animals made off with a few patterns because I *cannot* find the sheets)
- drying in the dryer (equal parts a great and horrible idea)
- hang-drying in the laundry room (this worked best, but took foreeeeever)
The pipe was repaired the day of the flood (good
lookin' out to the plumbers). If you have one of those circular knob
valves, have them replaced. They're known for failing and spontaneously
exploding...or something.
My sewing space is mostly back together now, but there are still some things that need tossing and/or reorganizing. I'm considering ripping out the old wood paneling and replacing it with drywall. I am also thinking of updating my sewing furniture.
The positives? I mopped the basement floor and did not stress-buy any fabric.
The negatives? I stress-ate two large bags of Better Made potato chips, lots of chocolate, and wine. 😬
Maybe I'll get some sewing done soon.
L
Oh no!! I had a house flood many years ago, from a burst washer hose that did it's exploding while we were out of town for a couple of days. Came back to a cat on the island of the dining room table surrounded by inches of water throughout the entire one-story house, and an ENTIRE houseful of furniture, flooring, and drywall to be replaced. It was the longest year ever replacing everything I owned. I guess this is sort of to say I've been there, and it SUCKS! Glad the Universe kept your machines safe!
ReplyDeleteOh my!! Now that is awful! What a way to come home from out of town. That definitely sucks! The universe needs to chill out. =)
DeleteOh, my you’ve really had a time of it. I’m glad you were able to save some of your patterns at least, and your machines are okay. I don’t know if this would work, but did you try pressing your patterns with a dry iron? I realize that would also take forever so it might be a really bad idea. I do know that I’ve pressed my patterns before when I got a little moisture on them. You definitely have to be careful with wet tissue, but it can be done. It must have felt so overwhelming. Hopefully there will be a few successful sewing projects in your future that will make cleaning up the mess feel so worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteThe good thing is I got another look at patterns that I forgot I had and now have a little inspiration for some of them. I tried ironing a few patterns; the wrinkles are really deep and will probably take a long time. You're right: this was truly overwhelming!
DeleteI feel for you. My sewing room was torn apart for remodeling and half went to the basement. I was down there for another thing and noticed the blanket was wet. Which was sitting on top of the cardboard box holding paper patterns. Screammmmm Pulled everything out and let it dry around the room and called the plumber. Of course - the patterns never returned to their original flatness.
ReplyDeleteOh geez! I know that was ordeal! What is it with plumbing issues and sewing? These should be non-overlapping circles. =) Yeah, my patterns are definitely swollen now. I didn't know pattern tissue paper was so absorbent. LOL
DeleteThat sucks so much to hear :(
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy your blog, and I'm glad the damage was minimal. Sounds like you've got as high spirits as possible, considering. - Hang in there!!!!
Thank you!! Yes, I'm glad damage was minimal too! It was work to clean it up, but my machines are okay and most everything was saved. I have to find a way to laugh about this or I'll go nuts and take a few folks with me. LOL
DeleteOh NO! What a mess to deal with. I hope the machine pedals didn't get damaged. Sorry about the patterns, glad you were able to save quite a few of them. I wonder if ironing them would work? But that would be a long process if there were very many. As you say, at least the floor got mopped. And I suspect you used up all those calories from chips, chocolate, and wine in working hard on the clean up.
ReplyDeleteAnd to answer a question from your last post, yes I do still read blogs. I have no FB, IG, or other accounts, so it's blogs and a few forums that I go to to see what people are up to in the sewing & needlework world. I don't often comment though for some reason.
Thank you! I tried all three pedals yesterday and they seem to be working as normal. I called a local dealer and asked what I should look for if the pedals are damaged; I also got estimates for replacements should I need them.
Delete"And I suspect you used up all those calories from chips, chocolate, and wine in working hard on the clean up." I legit laughed out loud at this! I like how you think! LOL
I still read blogs too, though I am on IG (not FB - I loathe FB with the heat of a million suns). I like reading peoples thoughts on sewing stuff; I don't comment as often either!
i dont know what happened to the comment I was writing. Sounds gruesome but you handled it well! Glad the machines were safe.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness!!! So glad the damage was minimal and your machines were not affected.... but what a nightmare to go through...I remember the time we had basement flooding in our old house when we had just bought it and it caused so much stress. Hope the pipes are all fixed and basement is dry now!!
ReplyDeleteOH. EM. GEE.
ReplyDeleteThis is too much! It's too much!!!! I'm so glad you were able to manage it...it sounds unbearable.
"If you have one of those circular knob valves, have them replaced. They're known for failing and spontaneously exploding...or something."
I had a few tradespeople come in to look at some stuff soon after closing so I could get some ideas around costs of repairs and upgrades. The plumber pointed out the gate valves and said I should look at replacing them with ball valves. I randomly decided to look for a plumber this week and now I'm going to 100% get it done. My sewing room is in the basement too.
Hey lady! I'm sorry for the late reply to this message. Blogspot doesn't email me when I get comments anymore (despite my begging and pleading and changing settings), so I never see comments unless I log on. And I can't comment as myself because...reasons? *facepalm*
DeleteYES get the gate valves (thanks for the proper name!) changed to the ones with the handles (ball valves) and save yourself the hassle! It may be pricey to do if they have to cut lines and solder stuff. But it'll be worth it in the long run!
Good to see you posting again (October 11, 2023). I clicked on "older posts" to read this story of flooding. Instead of ripping out paneling and installing drywall, please consider priming, then painting the paneling in a pale color. It is just gorgeous and more interesting than drywall.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Since it's been *really* hard to find a drywall contractor that will (1) keep an appointment or (2) return my calls, I will likely paint the paneling. I have a sander and bought some primer to get started. I want to put in a vinyl plank floor too. We'll see how it goes!
DeleteL (don't know why I can't comment with my name)