Why hello there Murphy...
I was all set to do a Bat Tat Tuesday post when events conspired against me and I had to share my tale of woe with you all.
We have been saving up for some much needed concrete work on the old homestead here, the driveway and sidewalks are all cracked and in need of replacement. So after my due diligence in selecting somebody that came with a good recommendation, I opted for the higher priced guy because I felt comfortable that he does good work. He is here this morning jack-hammering and tearing out all the old concrete, and the new driveway will be replaced soon. It was more than I thought I would have to pay, but that's OK when I get good work.
No problem there, cue Mr Murphy and his law now...
The colder days are coming here in Colorado, and I wanted to get in front of furnace maintenance this year and get it all cleaned out, filters replaced, blah blah. I do most of that myself, but this year after I did that work, I noticed that there was more of an ash type substance in the bottom of the furnace and a rivet that I don't know where it came from. No problem, I call the folks at a plumbing and heating place that I trust because they have worked here before.
He arrives and goes down into the basement and I show him what I found.
(cue wide eyes and a hmmmmm sound)
He pulls off the side panel to expose the inner workings of the beast and even I, with my untrained eye can see the crack running through the heat exchanger. I say that doesn't look right as he reaches up to shut everything off. Then comes the news that the unit is a complete loss, this model you can't replace the heat exchanger, and let's look at some brochures for new furnaces.
What the what? new? Yep, he had to "condemn" the furnace and tag it out of commision because if we turn it on in that condition it will likely leak CO2 all through the house.
Hello another monster bill, and away we go with another credit card purchase...
Sometimes life just sucks.
We have been saving up for some much needed concrete work on the old homestead here, the driveway and sidewalks are all cracked and in need of replacement. So after my due diligence in selecting somebody that came with a good recommendation, I opted for the higher priced guy because I felt comfortable that he does good work. He is here this morning jack-hammering and tearing out all the old concrete, and the new driveway will be replaced soon. It was more than I thought I would have to pay, but that's OK when I get good work.
No problem there, cue Mr Murphy and his law now...
The colder days are coming here in Colorado, and I wanted to get in front of furnace maintenance this year and get it all cleaned out, filters replaced, blah blah. I do most of that myself, but this year after I did that work, I noticed that there was more of an ash type substance in the bottom of the furnace and a rivet that I don't know where it came from. No problem, I call the folks at a plumbing and heating place that I trust because they have worked here before.
He arrives and goes down into the basement and I show him what I found.
(cue wide eyes and a hmmmmm sound)
He pulls off the side panel to expose the inner workings of the beast and even I, with my untrained eye can see the crack running through the heat exchanger. I say that doesn't look right as he reaches up to shut everything off. Then comes the news that the unit is a complete loss, this model you can't replace the heat exchanger, and let's look at some brochures for new furnaces.
What the what? new? Yep, he had to "condemn" the furnace and tag it out of commision because if we turn it on in that condition it will likely leak CO2 all through the house.
Hello another monster bill, and away we go with another credit card purchase...
Sometimes life just sucks.
Ugh that does suck. But hey, even at its suckiest it's less sucky than c02 leaking through your house, no?
ReplyDeleteI am in a similar boat myself recently - everything's been one giant expense after another. Let's all run away to the tropics and not bother with it all anymore.
The best laid plans of mice and men turn out about the same.
ReplyDeleteYup, always at the worst times.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be looking for a new dishwasher and clothes washer/dryer soon. But we're waiting til the grinding noises get so loud that we can't stand it.
Ah, the joys of home ownership. Yet another argument in favour of my condo in the sky.
ReplyDeleteI feel you man. I had that same sinking feeling when the HVAC guy said, "Well, here's your leak. And, unfortunately, it's not something that can be fixed. We're looking at a total system replacement."
ReplyDeleteOh, what's $6500 between friends, right?
At least the house finally cooled down...
Ouch, sorry to hear about that. When it rains it pours. The only good thing I can say is at least it didn't go in the middle of winter.
ReplyDeleteUgh. It never rains but it pours. Maybe we should just all go outside and scream "Uncle" at the top of our lungs.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Veggie, let's all just run away to some tropical island. There are no big, ugly heating bills there. Wheeeeeee!
ReplyDeletethat blows.
ReplyDeleteThe worst part about being a grown up, besides hair growing in new and weird places, is that your money has to go for boring things like furnaces and fuel pumps and insurance.
ReplyDeleteI want the old days back when I blew it on 45's and movies.
Ker . . . rappy.
ReplyDeleteIf it's any consolation, I've tagged you in a meme over at mine, so now you can say at least things weren't as bad as this before!
You're welcome!
That's tough, but CO2 is a killer and it needed sorting.
ReplyDeleteWord verification - 'pants', which I guess sums it up! x