This really is your usually serious Herald publisher, Art Hall, but the topic required a different tone, and here you have my “cautionary tale.”
They say that hosting guests is a joy, but when both first-floor toilets decide to stage a synchronized overflow during a lively gathering, the joy quickly spirals down the drain – pun intended.
After bidding farewell to our guests, I donned my DIY cape and wielded a drain snake with the determination of a weekend warrior. Alas, the clog proved as stubborn as a mule in a mudslide.
The next morning, with humility in my heart and urgency in my step, I scoured the Herald service directory for a plumber specializing in clogged drains. To my dismay, the listings were as barren as a desert well.
Desperation led me to call a nationwide plumbing company that specializes in drains. To their credit, a technician arrived promptly. After working over three hours, he diagnosed a root invasion in our sewer line and quoted a removal fee of $7,300 – on top of the $1,100 already charged for the visit. I half-expected him to throw in a complimentary gold-plated wrench.
Given the outlandish quote, we decided to forego the convenience of an immediate solution and went on the search for a local plumber.
Two and a half days later, a friendly neighborhood professional resolved the issue for a mere $500, restoring our plumbing and faith in humanity.
The moral? Patience and local expertise trump panic and corporate price tags.
Next time, I’ll remember that when it comes to plumbing, it’s better to wait for the right help than to flush money down the proverbial toilet.
Art Hall
