My sister is going to kill me

So I've been house/dog-sitting for my sister's family while they're on vacation. They're coming back this evening, so I figured I'd clean the house so it was nice for them. Ran the garbage disposal, ran the dishwasher...came back from getting the mail and there has been a plumbing armageddon in the kitchen! Water is EVERYWHERE, the sinks are both backed up, and the only way to stop the dishwasher is to drain it, causing even more water to spew everywhere. :cry :*** :crap

I've handled the huge mess of water and placed fans to dry the floor, but...ack. Now I have to explain that they're going to need to hire a professional. I probably should give back the money they left me.

I KNEW I should've just hand-washed the dishes like I do at home! Stupid technology! :mad

 

Before you beat yourself up here, find out if the drain was already clogged and perhaps they forgot to mention that little fact thinking that sis never cleans up. Seriously, clogs just don't happen overnight!

 

I'm beginning to wonder if her garbage disposal is more for looks. I know they're still on a well...perhaps they're on a septic system also. In which case, it's their fault for not telling me in the two-page note they left about all the other stuff!

Gah. I won't be here when they get home. This is NOT something I want to leave in a note! :eek

 

The gooseneck trap under the sink is fairly easy to remove and clean. They are only held together by light compression fittings and are simple to remove with a channel lock pliers. And the dishwasher pumps its drain water into this ahead of the trap.

This is one of the pitfalls of garbage disposers, too many solids go into it, causing a plug it the trap.

Put a pail of deep pot under the trap, unscrew the two fittings, remove and clean.

Just don't clean it in the same sink from which you removed the trap! Been there, done that.

 

Is that it? You nearly had me giving birth to kittens.
I was dreading reading you'd left the kids at the shops or something.

If they are anything like me, they'll realise that accidents happen and you didn't do it on purpose. Probably.

 

roflmao

So...here's the thing. They came home a couple of hours ago, and went to check the septic tank. Turns out the drain field is soaking wet, and they need a new one. LOL Tomorrow morning someone is coming to pump theirs out, and then next week they're getting estimates on having a whole new septic system installed. NOT my fault!

They actually thought it was funny how worried I was. :-D

 

Sorry, darlin'! :-o

 

All that fashing for nothing. Must be a terrible mess. I could think of better career choices than a septic tank drainer.
Hope it all goes well.

Don't be daft. I was joking! I know you wouldn't leave the kids at the shops.
On the bus, maybe but not at the shops

 

So basically, the whole situation is full of crap?


I'll get me coat....

 

:cry Groan.....

 

oi! I gave it a go.

 

You're not even trying anymore, are you? LOL

That was so bad I'd slap you for it if I wasn't convinced you'd like it.

(Or I am thinking of TimW now...?)

 

I actually bet myself a beer when I read your first post it was a septic tank issue . . . exact same scenario happened to a friend of mine. Sudden and drastic!

Oh, I dunno joey. Those septic tank guys make some good coin (just ask my friends, :-D). It is a dirty, nasty job, though.

 

Well, I could think of things I'd rather do other than hauling crap, regardless of pay. I've driven plenty of crap, (cars), usually get given a dose daily - that's bad enough, thanks.LOL

@ Sgt.:- Yeah, always thought those garbage disposal thingys are usually more trouble than they're worth. 'Prolly why you hardly ever see them in this part of the world, (not the in-sink ones, anyway). Hope you're not within smellin' distance when they get their septic tanks pumped.uke

~ So is the humour, by the look of it. I couldn't resist, eh.