A brief timeline to bring you up to speed:
October 2007 – my parents die while living and working in Tunis, Tunisia and my sister and I inherit their stateside home.
October 2008 – house is inspected and appraised, it is full of 16 years worth of life and memories.
December 2008 – roof work completed.
March 2009 – estate sale.
September 2009 – entire interior painted.
November 2009 – new cabinets installed in master bathroom.
April 2010 – realtor walks through and provides laundry list of things to “take care of” before we should consider selling.
November 2011 – new appliances purchased.
January 2011 – new plumbing fixtures installed.
February 2012 – new tile installed.
March 2012 – new carpet installed.
July 2012 – flood.
I had no idea what we were going to find we when arrived at the house last Wednesday morning.
All I knew was I had a $5312.97 water bill, the water had been shut off 12 days earlier because a serviceman had seen water rushing out the front door and a water removal company would be meeting us.
I knew it was going to be bad.
I was not prepared for how bad.
A $2 coil that connects the toilet to the wall in the guest bathroom had come undone and did this:
It was stiffing hot, hard to breath and the air felt wet.
Mold was growing on almost every wall.
I had never seen such damage. I walked around in shock for several minutes, not believing my eyes. Mushrooms were growing in the living room!
The water mitigation team went to work fast and have been amazing, explaining every step along the way and dealing with our insurance company too.
Within 24 hours, four feet of all walls in the guest bathroom, guest bedroom, hallway, two closets, foyer, master bathroom, master bedroom, living room and dining room were removed and dozens of fans were set up to begin the drying process.
Adding insult to injury, termites were found once the walls were taken apart, probably there for a long time but in some cases due to having new source of water. Nasty little suckers!
You may be wondering why the water was left on in an empty house and that is an excellent question. We figured with all of our comings and goings and all the different projects it was needed. We were stupid.
Many tears have been shed over the last week mainly due to the frustration, loss and all the time and energy that has been put into the house to get this far, but I’m trying to remain positive and look at the bright side…
Luckily, the house was virtually empty and the items that were still there, were located on the opposite end and saved from damage.
Luckily, the sunken living room saved the rest of the house from damage.
Luckily, there is no foundation problems or damage to the neighbors property.
Luckily, homeowner’s insurance will help pay for a lot of the reconstruction but none of the mold or termite removal.
Luckily, Arizona is the driest place in the country.
Luckily, I have zero emotional connection to this house and am more determined than ever to get rid of it.
It is very difficult to see this house in this state, but it is just that, a house and hasn’t been a home in years.
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Oh my god, what a wreck. I am so sorry you had to deal with this. It’s always one more thing isn’t it? hang in there.
Wow. What a disaster. Thank goodness for insurance and water mitigation people that are friendly. I hope you get it all fixed and sold soon.
It sounded really awful, but my gosh, the pictures are horrendous! I’m really, really, sorry this has happened.
At least the termites were detected, before even more damages occurred to the house…
Hopefully, everything will be fixed soon so that you can sell it, ASAP.
Sending you hugs XOXO
Oh my gosh, Tonya! It looks and sounds awful! It appears that everything is fixable though… I’m sorry you and Leah have had to deal with all this. Keep looking at the positive side of thing though – it’ll keep you sane.
Wow! What a mess—-so much to deal with, but it sounds like you had good help and advise on the ground. I feel so badly that you had done all that work, just to turn around and undo much of it and redo so much more. You have a good perspective on the whole situation and I admire your courage and attitude with this whole situation. Hugs to you and Leah.
So sorry that this has happened, it must have been stressful. Hope it gets all sorted out soon and out of your life!
Wow! Just WOW!! I hope the repair work grows swiftly and without complication.
I have been anxiously awaiting this post…I knew it was going to be bad, but YIKES! Oh friend! I pray this can be taken care of quickly and be off your plate permanently!
Oh no! What a mess. I hope that the clean-up goes as smoothly as possible.
Perfect synopsis Tonya. It’s no longer a home. It lost that feeling a long time ago. Those feelings that I was still harboring for the house have long gone. Sadly, those memories in that house are fading slightly too. I’m forever grateful that we are together in this. XOXO
How terrible! I praise you on your good attitude. I’m afraid I’d have had a complete melt down. So glad the insurance company is working with you.
Hope the rest goes well.
The ordeal sounds like a huge headache. But I’m glad that the insurance company is, at least somewhat, on your side, and that emotional attachment to the house is minimal.
I love the attitude you have with all of it.
And, in like two weeks, you’ll have puppy cuddles so you won’t even remember the headache that you’re dealing with for this.
Gah! What a pain in the arse. It reminds me of the flood we had a few years back. It’s such a nightmare to deal with…
Hugs my friend!
Just read this. So sorry you have had to deal with this now also. Hang in there . Hope to see you soon.
Oh I can’t imagine! I hope you get it taken care of quickly. That’s a lot to have on your plate.
Hey, I’m just reading this. I am so sorry. What a headache in so many different ways. I’ve heard a lot of this happening lately and it scares me!