“The Water Went Down Where??!!”
“The water went down where??!” I asked in disbelief as my friend described the horror story: a tiny leak from his upstairs bathroom shut-off valve that ran overnight, through the floor, down the hallway, into the basement — taking out the second bathroom along the way. This wouldn’t have been too bad except they just had a newborn and in laws living with them for six months.
I’d been a homeowner for decades, but I’d only heard of these plumbing nightmares happening to “other people.” You know, the unlucky ones. Surely it couldn’t happen to me!
My Early Days in Plumbing DIY
Up until that story, my plumbing adventures were fairly tame — swapping out garbage disposals, replacing Moen faucet cartridges, or the occasional shower fix that required me to turn off the main water supply (do you know where yours is?).
Most of my repairs were reactive — fix it when it breaks. A tiny voice in my head sometimes wondered: What if it’s something I can’t fix myself?
The logical answer: “Call the plumber.”
The emotional one: “But… that’ll cost money. And besides, how hard can it be?”
My internal dialogue was basically a tag team between my Ego (“I can figure this out”) and my Inner Scrooge (“Let’s save $200”) — the dynamic duo.
The $14 Fix That Changed Everything
Years ago, the wine fridge in my kitchen island died. I called a local repair guy who fixed it for $150. Reasonable enough, I thought.
Two years later — same problem. This time, annoyance replaced reasonableness. I pulled the fridge apart myself, looked up a few diagrams online, and ordered what seemed to be the culprit: a temperature sensor. $14 and one YouTube video later, the fridge was humming again.
Looking back, that was my DIY awakening. I realized that what I had previously considered “reasonable” ($150) was really the price of my own fear of trying. And yes, I fixed it again a few years later — for another $14.
The Garbage Disposal Debacle
Of course, not all my DIY stories end heroically.
During a hotpot dinner where my friends and I consumed five pounds of clams (and maybe too much beer), I decided to “efficiently” grind the shells in my garbage disposal.
All of them.
Predictably, it jammed solid. I took apart every pipe I could reach and even tried my 6-foot snake to clear the clog. It was lodged deep — way beyond my pay grade.
$500 and one very amused professional plumber later(on Christmas Night), the drain was clear. Lesson learned: clams are for eating, not saving garbage space.
From Reaction to Prevention
Those experiences made me realize something: I was great at fixing problems but terrible at preventing them.
So, I decided to treat my home like my body — regular checkups, maintenance, and a little paranoia. Here’s what I do differently now:
- Know your parts (before they fail).
I’ve replaced every single faucet cartridge in my house at least once. Now I keep spares for the kitchen, bathrooms, and showers — no more late-night online searches while water drips ominously and uncontrollably . - Seal everything.
Exposed bolts, nuts, and fittings love to rust right when you need them most. A generous dose of silicone around sinks and counters saves hours (and knuckle skin) later. - Get Wi-Fi water sensors.
They’re cheap, smart, and essential. I’ve got them under every sink, near the washer, under the espresso machine, and yes, behind the wine fridge. Because water leaks only happen when you’re on vacation — it’s a law of the universe.
The New Mindset
I used to see home maintenance as a burden to outsource. Now, I see it as part of stewardship — like taking care of your health.
If the house keeps you dry, warm, and caffeinated, it deserves a little preventive love in return.
And if you ever find yourself elbow-deep in a garbage disposal after a hotpot dinner… just remember: at least it makes a great story.
For #ELF#
Stories to Remember 
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