Wouldn't you agree that nothing sucks worse than water in one's basement? As my daughter would say, "OMG! What a mess!" My computer is in the basement, along with the dog kennel, my laundry equipment, various priceless items still packed away in boxes, and of course, my George Strait CD collection.
I came home the other day to the unmistakable aroma of cat urine. Yes, we have a cat, Potter, but he has NEVER-EVER-EVER peed anywhere but his litter box, and it has NEVER-EVER-EVER smelled in our house! That said, this smell was unmistakable and the first thing I thought was that he got into something, lost control of his functions and died somewhere in the house. I ran frantically looking for my kitty cat, only to find him curled up asleep on my pillow, smelling like he always does, of fabric softener and cat nip. OK, so where is this stench coming from? Cautiously, I stepped to the basement and surveyed the area; dog sleeping in kennel (dry and warm), dryer running (husband must have been home and then running errands), and then I saw it; the telltale trickle of water from one corner of my utility room to the drain. It is only about 20 feet from one to the other, but the route in which the water was taking was making the offensive odor. The water was running from the corner of the room, through the small carpet remnant that Potter's box resides, through the sleeping bags that were precariously left on the laundry room floor, and then to the drain. "Oh shit!" Or rather, "Oh PISS!" The thing is, that my husband is worthless when it comes to animal waste. He just can't handle it. He wretches, gags, cusses, runs up the steps and leaves me to battle the monster.
No big deal really - I'll just get the Shop-Vac, a box of heavy duty garbage bags, and move the clothes. Easily handled.
---2 hours later, I am smelling of ammonia, sneezing, coughing, and more determined than ever to finish this task before bed time. I have emptied the Shop-Vac twice. I have bagged up the most disgustingly wet, slime caked piece of carpet ever (without gagging, thank you very much), and the floor is looking like it is starting to dry. I get out the citrus scented Febreeze Air Effects (I LOVE that stuff!) and spray it generously through the room. There, that's better. Mission accomplished. Tomorrow, I can get out the mop, the bleach, and finish the job before mold sets in.
Unfortunately, the Lord had other plans. The next morning, I went to the laundry room in part to grab a clean towel for my shower, and in part to check the status of the floor. DAMN IT TO KINGDOM COME - It is wet again!! But where is it really coming from? It's dry where the cat box was. The downstairs bathroom is a small room that is surrounded by unfinished drywall. It looks like it was a project that ended up being too much for the previous owners of the home, so they just left it. It has carpeting that is just a large remnant, and it is deep maroon...definitely not a color I would have chosen, but that is a project for another time. I stepped onto the carpet and "SQUISH!!" The carpet was saturated. SHIT! (not sure now if it is pee or just water seeping in from the floor from all the snow and rain we have had this season). I wrench the Shop-Vac from its hiding place, and begin to work on the carpet. FIVE empties later, it is still damp but not sopping. My back is in need of some serious painkillers, my hamstrings are stretched to within an inch of ripping, and my head is reeling from the still present fumes of my feline companion.
What to do now?
The decision is to shower, continue washing clothes until all the laundry is complete, clean off the utility room floor of all debris, and then wait. Yes, wait. The sun will come out eventually, drying the ground outside the foundation of my home. Then, I can seal the cracks, disinfect the area, and we will be good as new until next winter. Yes...this sounds like a very good plan indeed.
Incidentally, tomorrow is my husband, Larry's birthday. Happy birthday, my dear. Welcome to paradise.
11 years ago
