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There’s nothing quite like the sinking feeling that comes with discovering a water leak in your home. Did one of the kids have a spill? Is the sun shining differently today? Alas, curiosity turned to concern, and we decided to move the credenza in the playroom to reveal what we feared–water staining on the wall behind and spreading to the hardwood floor underneath.
Panic sets in and we wondered how long ago did it start? How much damage was hidden? And most importantly…where on earth was it coming from?? We were able to get the plumber out that day, but they determined they would need to cut out the wall before they could even determine the source of the leak. Once they repaired the leak (which was the 20 year old hot water line feeding the whole home) the surrounding area would need drying, restoration, mold testing and to be rebuilt.
Needless to say, it was very distressing to watch our littles’ playroom rapidly turn into a construction zone. For those of you old enough to remember, it was something out of the hazmat scene from E.T. Thankfully, we had found the leak fairly quickly, and the team that we called in from 911 Restoration was responsive, professional and took our situation very seriously.
911 Restoration removed the damaged drywall and set up containment to minimize the impact to us and the rest of our home. Their technicians were prompt, respectful of our kids, animals and busy mornings. They all demonstrated a clear understanding of the critical nature of their work and never cut any corners to ensure our safety. Over the next several days, the noise of industrial fans and the constant hum of air cleaners filled the house, and we had to move out.
Once the area was deemed dry and mold free, we began planning the rebuild. We embraced the opportunity to replace all of the hardwood flooring as the playroom flooring flowed into the kitchen and great room, and the insurance company required this for coverage. Selecting new flooring was the silver lining, as it allowed us to update the space with something fresh.
We prepared for the flooring to be demolished, which we would soon learn would take 11 days. It seemed that we had a very special opportunity to exercise creative spirit and teach the girls that sometimes art is made to say goodbye to. We turned on the music, and got out the rainbow array of Sharpie pens to prepare for the change.
Watching the transformation unfold after such a disruptive experience was incredibly satisfying. What began as a troubling discovery finally ended with us coming home to a beautiful floor and a feeling of renewal.
I am grateful we discovered the leak when we did. Left unchecked, it could have caused far more damage. It was a good reminder to listen to our home’s subtle signals. A faint stain or foreign odor might seem harmless but it can be the first clue something serious needs prompt attention!
