The Right Stuff (copy) (copy) (copy)
We noticed the water pressure was low even before we got the first notice from the water company. They left a yellow note in the mailbox telling us we probably had a leak. Of course, they left it on Friday afternoon – no chance to get a plumber until Monday. Joneen and I surveyed the entire house, including crawl space and toilets but couldn’t find a leak. Our home is a quarter mile from the road and we have a 40-year-old line coming from the meter. We feared the worst, that the sub-zero temps had finally done in the line and we’d have to replace the entire length.
We contract with a home repair company. On Monday, they dutifully send a plumber. At first he refuses to come up the drive because of snow and I have to demonstrate the drive isn’t slick. The guy talks a good game. He has me turn off the water at the house and checks the meter – no movement – the leak is in the house, not the line. He checks the house carefully and finds no leak but seems more interested in documenting his work with a tablet computer than finding the leak. Early on I point out a faucet that’s about 20 yards from the house. The line runs under a sidewalk and given we have no leak in the house, I suspect that’s the source. He produces a fancy electronic listening device and follows the line. “Nope, can’t hear a thing. I suspect you have a pin-hole leak and the warning is computer generated. I wouldn’t worry.” He fails to address the low water pressure, blaming that on the utility.
Not satisfied, Joneen calls the utility and asks about the leak. “Last month you used 11,000 gallons, this week you’ve used 67,000.” We call the plumber back and point out that ain’t a pin hole. He suggests we watch it for now. He has no interest in returning.
Luckily (I guess) were renovating our house and the contractor uses a different plumber. We ask (plead?) if he can have his guy give us a second opinion. For sure, he’ll be there about noon tomorrow. Unfortunately, at around 10, our water goes off completely. At the meter, we find another yellow note from the utility. They’ve turned off our water because of the leak. No apology, no heads-up, just turn it off and let us figure it out. I call the utility. “I have a plumber on the way. How am I supposed to find the leak if the water is off?” Silence. “Can you come and turn it back on?”
“I’ll see if I can find the technician, but I can’t promise.” Click. Talk about a helpless feeling!
Enter Plumber #2. This fellow has his own company and doesn’t seem to possess a tablet. I go through the same explanation and tell him about the water being off. No problem, he carries a tool to get the meter back on and confirms no leak in the line. Before he even comes in the house he goes to the outside faucet and puts his ear against it. “Go in and turn the valve on.”
I go inside, open the valve and walk back outside. “I can hear the leak right here.” No electronic amplifier needed, it seems.
“Do you need this faucet?”
“I do not.”
I show the guy where the line runs. He goes to his truck, gets some tools and has the line closed in about 10 minutes. He walks back to the meter and confirms its no longer running. The water pressure is back to normal. Problem solved. I want to kiss him.
We live in a complex society. None of us has all the knowledge or skills needed to navigate modern life. The jack of all trades is a myth, a dinosaur. Take your pick, whether its electrical, plumbing, finance, IT, Internal Medicine or a hundred other things, we’re dependent on specialists. For those interactions to go well, the specialist must have the required skills and, also, care. When you find one with the right stuff, it’s a joy. Maybe its luck of the draw but this winter, I’ve run afoul of several folks who lack one or both of those traits. Or maybe its just getting harder to find someone who both knows what they’re doing and gives a crap. I hope it’s the former, but I have my suspicions…
The right stuff! When you come across someone who has it, cherish them and don’t forget to say, “thank you” - frequently. And, if you get a chance, maybe send me their contact info…
