House Reno – our quest for running water

During the house renovation, getting water hook-up has been a strange and long process. When we finally heard from the water company, we were told we had already been hooked up. Daryl went on a quest to find out if this was reality as he had previously found a pipe (lots of digging and input from the neighbours) but there was no water. Turned out, there never has been water hook-up to this house. We also didn’t have a water meter.

We had been borrowing water from our neighbour’s well since last year. After many requests, and a couple of months, ‘a guy’ came by in the dark, used a big flash light, and hooked us up to the town water supply. Still no meter, but at least we had town water to the property, but not in the house. We had sinks and toilets but no water.

Daryl was just a little annoyed with the contractor and it might have showed! On a Friday late afternoon, right before carnival, a plumber showed up with a water tank. Progress, but no go, as it was too small. We needed a tank that could hold several days supply of water as town supply can be sporadic. Eventually the correct sized tank arrived.

Shortly afterwards a truck showed up with the remaining supplies.

The guys went to work and it didn’t take long to get the form ready and the concrete pad built. By the time we left the house, it was already dark and the guys were still working. On Friday evening of carnival no less!

We came back to the house the next morning to find the town water connected and a full tank of water. Now only one final step needed, to actually get water into the house.

While the plumbers were checking the pipes inside the house, a couple of small leaks were found that were thought to be easy repairs, and they were. However once the water was connected and running through the house pipes, it was such a big surprise to find water pouring out of an electrical outlet. It ended up being smashed water pipes, both hot and cold, that were under the floor between the bedroom and bathroom. The water filled up the space and escaped through the electrical outlet. The fix was not an easy repair but a two day job!

I guess it is true, one never knows what one will find when doing a reno. Thankfully it is all done and just needs a coat of paint to be as good as new.

Sometimes I think we are so close to occupancy. It is safe to say we are both ready but not holding our breath!

Oh! And still no water meter!

Cheers

Ruth