I truly hate home ownership

[benenglish]

The toilet is leaking. OK, I'll fix it tomorrow. First I need to turn off the water but it's on old valve and stuck. Hit it with some penetrant and came back the next day.

Still stuck so I twist that knob hard. It breaks. Joy.

OK, not so bad. I intend to replace the valve anyway so who cares if I screw up the splines? Grab hold of it with pliers and twist. The water is off. The pipes seemed to flex a bit but I thought nothing of it.

Being lazy and busy (bad combination) I don't get to it right away. The next day, I'm walking up the stairs on the other side of the wall where the toilet is located and I hear water flowing.

Uh-oh.

The leak isn't bad but I obviously broke a pipe or a seal inside the wall behind the toilet. A couple of gallons of water have seeped out from under the wall into the water closet. The fix has now reached the point where I step back, recognize my own limitations, and write a check.

I fill a few containers for flushing and turn off the water outside. I'm hitting the sack now and I'll call a plumber tomorrow.

Home maintenance sucks.

/rant

 

[baboon]

The house I live in was bought as an investment due to the location. When I we moved I told the wife there where only 3 things I would maintain A/C, water & the roof. The house has been paid for 10 years. Put a new roof on 3 years ago & now feel I need to stay another 7 to get my money out of it. Kind of hoping it becomes worth 6X what I paid for it next year.

Maintaining a house does suck! Maintaining a shambles that's land value is worth a shit load makes it better!!

 

[orbitup]

Ahhh, the American dream.

 

[Chirpy]

Every time I hear a talking head on TV spout off about "jobs Americans won't do" all I can think of is that they lease a condo in New York. Homeowners do these nasty jobs all the time just trying to save money.

 

[Dawico]

The toilet is leaking. OK, I'll fix it tomorrow. First I need to turn off the water but it's on old valve and stuck. Hit it with some penetrant and came back the next day.

Still stuck so I twist that knob hard. It breaks. Joy.

OK, not so bad. I intend to replace the valve anyway so who cares if I screw up the splines? Grab hold of it with pliers and twist. The water is off. The pipes seemed to flex a bit but I thought nothing of it.

Being lazy and busy (bad combination) I don't get to it right away. The next day, I'm walking up the stairs on the other side of the wall where the toilet is located and I hear water flowing.

Uh-oh.

The leak isn't bad but I obviously broke a pipe or a seal inside the wall behind the toilet. A couple of gallons of water have seeped out from under the wall into the water closet. The fix has now reached the point where I step back, recognize my own limitations, and write a check.

I fill a few containers for flushing and turn off the water outside. I'm hitting the sack now and I'll call a plumber tomorrow.

Home maintenance sucks.

/rant

Maybe next time try a Vise Grip on the supply line to the toilet if the handle won't turn. Just pinch it off to stop the water.

Live and learn Ben.

 

[benenglish]

Live and learn Ben.

One day I hope to learn enough to not screw up the simple stuff. I doubt there're enough years left in my life to achieve that goal but I'll keep trying.

 

[coachrick]

Home maintenance...It's a journey, not a destination.

 

[Brains]

Older houses always present fun challenges. Heck, new ones do too! I don't mind doing home repairs and upgrades, but there's one I'm really thinking I'll hire in for. I need to install some recessed lighting in my living room (like 8-9 cans), but they're going in a vaulted and kinda high ceiling that's almost all exterior and insulated. Anyone have an electrician up for the job?

 

[SA_Steve]

Here's my advice: If it involves a ladder more than 6 ft, or roaming around on the roof , hire someone. The medical and dental bills and pain can be killer.

 

[BRD@66]

...so, it's not just me after all.

 

[benenglish]

Oh, joy.

Apparently water from a broken pipe in the wall has the uncanny ability to cross multiple rooms and pool in the one place in the house I really want to keep dry, my gun storage closet. After the plumbing is done, I'll be moving tons (literally, I think) of guns and ammo (none of it on the floor, thank God) out of that room so that I can rip out the carpet, dry the area, and then put everything back in.

This just keeps getting better and better.

On the other hand, this is perhaps the only time in my life when I've been thankful that I have light storage cabinets instead of a full-size gun safe.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Be sure & put some bleach down & around Ben.

 

[stdreb27]

Lol. Im almost getting good at plumbing at my house. It's been 100 bucks a month in supplies for something every month the last few months

I've decided to start paying myself. So I've gotten 3 eBay reels. And a new pole. Makes it ok.

I also have a new faucet in my truck for tonight.

 

[TexasBrandon]

This house I bought in Salado has been nothing but a disaster since we moved into it last year. My newer home in Harker Heights was much better but I can't stand living next to that many people and wanted my space. The homeowner seemed to be a "mr Fixit" as I call him and do everything himself in a half-assed and code violated way. Not sure how the inspector missed the code violations and told me most everything was good. I've spent over 1.5 grand in the last year getting things fixed, yesterday I had to get a plumber for a clog I have had for awhile, ended up busting a pipe. I'd sue but it would cost more in lawyer fees for undisclosed issues and/or inspection fraud than it would be worth. Next house I buy in Salado is being built, warranty and all.

 

[Anger]

in beginning phases of replacing the master bathroom, just so I can sell the house. LMFAO. Beats renting an apartment though.

 

[Sugar Land]

I was going to remodel my master bath until the first estimate came in at $25K I decided to buy a new shower curtain and call it good..

 

[ZX9RCAM]

I was going to remodel my master bath until the first estimate came in at $25K I decided to buy a new shower curtain and call it good..

Yep, you can get the master "serviced" quite a few times for $25k, lol...

 

[Anger]

I was going to remodel my master bath until the first estimate came in at $25K I decided to buy a new shower curtain and call it good..

yep same here (23K), and that was with us buying the tile ! We're on a DIY / minimal contractor budget of 10K now. Contractors wanna make more per hour than I make. Not gunna happen.

 

[Sugar Land]

Yep, you can get the master "serviced" quite a few times for $25k, lol...

Man you sure got that right.

 

[TX69]

A good friend and I were having this very conversation a few days ago. We were reminiscing about apartment life and the fun we had. Ben if it makes you feel any better I've been in that place you are in before so I can feel your pain.