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The original was posted on /r/tifu by /u/neighborhoodmuse on 2024-11-05 03:32:52+00:00.
Today, a couple of plumbers came by to fix a few issues at the place I’m renting, including a small leak coming from my bath tub knob in the master bathroom. I let them in, showed them what needed work, then said I was going to lie down and to holler if they needed me. I was sick all last week and still recovering, so I just wanted a painless transaction. The two plumbers were yelling back and forth at each other about what they were doing. I could hear them from my room, but just tuning it out and watching my show. They had shut off the main water valve while working on the leak. All of a sudden, I hear one of them shout something to the other, then they both left, got in their trucks, and drove away. I thought it was weird that they left without saying anything to me, but maybe they are “get in, get out” kind of folks. I am renting, so maybe they don’t have an obligation to make sure I am satisfied with the work/get payment.
I go to use the toilet in the secondary bathroom, and realize my water is still shut off. I was annoyed that they left without turning it back on, but I went to the basement to turn it back on, no problem.
I go back upstairs and hear water rushing. Did I leave a faucet on? Did he leave the bath tub knob turned?
No. They were not done working. There is a geyser shooting out of my bath tub where he was working on the leak. I start freaking out immediately and go turn the water back off. Did I know working on a leak involves a situation where a water geyser could shoot out of my tub? No. But you live and you learn.
One plumber returns right after I have stopped the geyser. His response, as my bathroom is covered in a layer of water: “I hope my drill still works” Luckily, it did. My vacuum that was also soaked? I’m not sure yet because I’m waiting for it to fully dry before plugging it in…
Moments before I was questioning if I should go to urgent care because I still feel like shit, but now I have a new issue of my bathroom being covered in water. I just bought a whole set of towels, otherwise I would’ve been screwed. I even have a dehumidifier on hand, so it really isn’t a huge deal. But…
HIS DRILL WAS STILL IN THE BATHROOM. If I had checked the worksite before turning the water back on, I could have avoided this. If I had questioned why they would have left without saying anything to me, this wouldn’t have happened. He says that he yelled to me (in a different room) what he was doing before leaving. Obviously, I didn’t hear that. I really wish he had hollered to get my attention and then explained what was going on face-to-face. Still, I definitely should have checked for any potential geysers before turning the valve back on.
Unfortunately, being sick and dehydrated gave me brain fog, and I didn’t even consider the possibility that the plumber would leave and come back. Anyways, a reminder: if something leaves you going “huh, that’s weird” LOOK INTO IT. Don’t just accept it. I have done so many dumb things by not double-checking some random odd occurrence or interaction. There’s a reason it seems weird, and it’s because there IS a reason you’re not aware of!
There I was. Hot and sweaty from panic-cleaning, and no clean towels to shower with. A horrible position to be in, truly.
TL;DR: Plumber left in the middle of fixing a leak with the main valve shut off. I didn’t know he was coming back, so turned valve back on and mildly flooded my bathroom.