I got a wild hair up my butt today and called a plumber.

Floridians tend to have this unique way of setting up their washer and dryer – in the garage… which is really weird for anyone up north.

Anyway, for some time now when the washer drains, the water backs up into the utility sink and the clothes at the bottom of the washer are wet.  It’s been doing this more or less since we started making payments on the house.    Several years ago, I had work done, but it started doing it again.   With the way everything is, the problem was placed on the backburner since it’s not critical.

I did a load of sheets.  The draining washer water filled the utility sink, created a little stream through the garage, and went under the garage door.

Something snapped and the drain suddenly became critical.
A quick Angie’s List entry later, two companies called.
–  The first plumber, Felix, wanted $275 to snake the line stating he had to climb on the roof.  Which I seriously didn’t understand.   Why go on the roof for a plumbing issue?   Doesn’t that defy gravity?

When asking him why the roof, he stated another issue that would cost at least $1200 and involve a jackhammer.

Was not picking up a good feeling from him and took a call from another plumber.  $225 this time.  That’s a cool $50 less than the other guy and he seemed pretty friendly.   He explained why he had to go on the roof for a clogged pipe.

I appreciate that.
As a woman who continually gets snowballed by various technicians, I like not being treated like a total newbie.

Off this guy went…  Darin, I think, and took some pictures of tree roots that are/were blocking the pipes.   No surprise there.    Then, he called his boss to come out with a camera to show me just how moldy my pipes are.   I’m sure they are.   I guess it’s kind of a scare tactic while showing ‘concern.’

It’s an up sale.   I get it, but going from $225 to over a thousand is definitely not in the budget although I’m sure whatever they’re going to propose is needed.

So, I don’t want the manager to come out and do a colonoscopy on my water pipes.    But, just like gum on my shoe, I can’t get it to stop sticking.    The Darin plumber actually sat here with me for nearly an hour while we waited for the manager.
–  Sneaky shit.   I couldn’t leave even if I wanted too.  Since I don’t have a car, I couldn’t even pretend that I had to go somewhere.

We sat and talked.   I know that Darin is 23, lives with his brother and brother’s girlfriend.   He plays League of Legends and doesn’t like the 60’s music I’ve got going on Youtube.  Okay… how weird is it that a tech – any type of tech – just sit around for chitchat when they’re paid by the job.   It just doesn’t make sense unless it’s just a ploy to make sure I couldn’t skip out of here while waiting on the manager.

Funny..  When even feeling slightly trapped, I’m trying to devise ways to leave.   Instead of just saying ‘no,’ I struggle with the trap.

Anyway, after the manager said he’d be another half an hour, Darin leaves.  Now, it’s kind of too late to attempt to leave cause Jason will be home in about half an hour.   I really wanted to get this wrapped up before he comes home.    It was just going to be one of those house fixes that are done by magic.

But… nope.   Now he’s going to be wrapped into it and I don’t want that.    I’m afraid the $$$$ bill will make him feel bad or make him feel pressured — which is certainly not what I want.

All I wanted was for the washer to drain without practically flooding the garage.   I wanted to do something to help improve the house.

HA… Since Plumber Darin is gone, I called Manager Colonoscopy with the intent to tell him that he doesn’t have to come by.   But, course, he’s like three minutes away.  After he drove here from Clearwater, I’d feel bad about standing him up.

I just can’t win.

….   I bet Plumber Felix who would have charged $50 more wouldn’t have strung me along like this.   Then again, he probably wouldn’t have tried to unclog it multiple times like Plumber Darin did either.

Damn it.

It’s 5:30.
I’m just going to make spaghetti now.  Manager Colonoscopy can have dinner with us if he wants.

Just hoping that Jason doesn’t get upset.  =/