When it rains, it pours.
It also pours when the air conditioning drain backs up, the drain pan is cracked, and the seal saver does not work. I’m sure there are more technical HVAC descriptions, but that is how I understood the issues. In other words … it’s a huge mess.
The saga begins when I arrive in Tampa on Wednesday evening.
Emily wheels my carry-on inside the house while I follow her. I hear her gasp LOUDLY and an even LOUDER “Oh, no, Mom!”
There is standing water in our hallway. The buffet in the dining room is covered with water. As Emily looks up the stairs, I hear another loud gasp. Now mind you, she is always relatively controlled and not easily shaken, but …
It is bad.
Photo provided
There is a gaping hole in the ceiling, under our air-conditioning unit. I cannot exaggerate how horrendous it looks. About five feet by four feet of the ceiling has fallen onto the carpet. Insulation and drywall debris cover the upstairs loft. Water has leaked into the downstairs ceiling causing damage to the buffet and LVP flooring. It is like a scene of an episode of an unintentional fixer-upper.
I call Chuck’s son, who comes to my rescue. Jeff climbs into the attic, where the struggling AC unit is perched. I phone Chuck, and not wanting to be the bearer of bad news, I hand the phone to Jeff. His calm voice and demeanor are much better suited for explaining things to Chuck than my rattled, frazzled, panicked voice. Emily and I gather up the debris while Jeff uses the rinse and vac to get as much water as possible from the carpet.
Chuck is scheduled to arrive Saturday night. He is having a come apart in Indiana, worried about me dealing with the mess, clean-up, vendors, and insurance.
Here’s the thing. It will all be fixed, replaced, or whatever. Is it frustrating? Absolutely. Is it a quick fix? No.
Homeownership is a blessing … until it’s a nightmare. Can I get an “Amen?”
Over the years of owning a 100-year-old house, I’ve had more than my fair share of homeownership issues. That’s a whole column that may be written someday.
I tell Chuck I am experienced in dealing with home disasters. I will get’er done.
As I write this, I am on Day 4 of dealing with insurance, the restoration company, HVAC guys, and contractors. I’m looking at fans, dehumidifiers, electrical cords, and all kinds of things sucking up the water. The restoration company has a system that tells them, at the office, just how much percentage of dampness is in each area, without having to be physically here.
Photo provided
I’m writing this with a feeling of gratitude. I caught a glimpse of the silver lining as I began to write this column. At first, it was a tiny sliver of silver. I had to squint to see it and put on my perspective glasses.
The disaster could have been worse and the damage greater. We caught it before mold or mildew had occurred. We found the right people who acted quickly to clean up the mess and repair the damage. I have found that I sleep well with the sound of multiple fans and dehumidifiers running.
Chuck will arrive in a few hours unless the rain pours and the lightning strikes with an Indiana storm. I plan to spend time at the beach. Chuck says I deserve it. First, I must unpack the carry-on Emily wheeled inside the house Wednesday night. I haven’t had time to do it. I’ve been a little busy.
Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.