Hot Water?

here is the culprit: the rusted hot water pipe leading out of the hot water heater

Here is the first hole cut into the wall to try to find the problem.

Well, the "Water Abatement" team came out today to test the walls and floor for dampness. They are damp. Apparently, one needs a long handled tool with a probe and sensor on it to poke at the wall to determine this. (A hand is not adequate!) Several large holes have been drilled through the flooring and baseboard under my stove and there is a large (noisy) machine that has several tubes protruding from it that is blowing air under the house. There are two large (noisy) machines (one in the laundry room and one in my bathroom) that are "de-humidifing" the air. Our hair is VERY static-y and our lips are cracking... but there will be no mold growing under OUR house! De-humidifier with tube running into my bathroom sink.

Big-loud fan thing blowing air underneath the house and blocking up the kitchen.Crazy tubes going through holes in the baseboard to blow hot air under the house.

A team will come out on Monday to test for Asbestos before the abatement team can start tearing out wall, floor, cabinet, etc. By then, we will (hopefully) have an estimate from 2 companies on the cost of re-piping the entire house. We decided that this would be the most "responsible" thing to do because we do not want to have any more pipes rust away and burst causing damage. We have been told that we can move into a hotel, but THAT sounds like a big 'ol pain in the neck. Besides, there are really no hotels near us. (Do you think that the insurance would cover a hotel in say.. Santa Barbara, or Palm Springs?) I don't know when we will have hot water, but it won't be this week. (my prediction) We have the motorhome and Andy's parents are taking good care of us. Tonight they fed us dinner and we got showers before heading home!

Dampness and damage insid of the cabinet that the water heater stands on. It will be removed.

Andy got the paint for Gavin's room but was too exhausted to start on that today. He is getting up early and hopes to have it done before dinner. The bed has been ordered and the carpet guys are coming on Monday to move the carpet from one bedroom to another. This meant that today, I had to pack up everything that was on shelves and on the floor of the kids room so that we can get the furniture out of there on Monday.

I am really sad and frustrated because we have been planning a date for Monday... we got Andy's parents to watch the kids and we were going to hike Eaton Canyon in Pasadena. Afterwards we were going to do some (window) shopping and have lunch. However, with all of the workers that are going to be coming in and out, it looks like our date might get postponed. (Rats! Foiled again!)

I am trying to "let go" and relax and know that there is not much that I can do about all of this, but it is REALLY hard! I was ready for the front part of the house to be in a state of chaos with the bedroom thing, but now.. the ENTIRE house is upside down! (and, did I mention NOISY)

I have to trust the people who are helping us and know that they are doing everything that they can to make this go smoothly for us. It will be interesting, to say the least.