NOVEMBER 12, 2022 – No one likes to sit down with coffee on a Saturday morning to read The Times . . . and hear one’s spouse call from the basement, “WE HAVE A PROBLEM DOWN HERE!” You can’t hide. You have to forget The Time and face the music. Taking hard steps to signal you’re on your way, you take the long way to the basement stairway. With trepidation, you descend, round the corner and discover your spouse moving stuff out of water backed up from the floor drain.
Since most of the “stuff” was packing materials for her book business, she continued and told me to “figure out whom to call.” She added, “I don’t think it’s going to be Bonfe. I doubt they deal with main sewer lines.” I was certain they did, but figuring that I’d been given the easier task, I scrambled upstairs before Beth could change her mind regarding assignments.
(By way of background, Bonfe is a well-know, family-owned heating, plumbing and electrical business in our area. We’re unintentional owners of a significant interest in the company: Since April we’ve shelled out beaucoup bucks for (a) a new furnace; (b) a new air-conditioner; (c) a new garbage disposal; (d) a high-tech air-filtration system; and (e) an overhaul of our electrical system. There’d be an “(f) replace basement ceiling fixture” if I hadn’t done the job myself yesterday—in the dark—proud that I’d saved at least $200.)
Sure enough, I quickly established that Bonfe does clear out main sewer lines—$99 to show up and a $50 discount (off services of $300 or more). I took initiative and landing an early afternoon appointment. I informed Beth and said, “We can apply our savings on yesterday’s DIY fixture-project to the sewer line bill.”
“It’s likely to cost more than what you saved,” Beth said. Famous last words.
A Bonfe plumber appeared at 11:00, armed with a drain auger and fiber-camera. From my work station at the kitchen counter, I heard lots of grinding, pounding, and knocking. Fully masked, I ventured down to the basement. “Adam” quickly put his mask back on and wiped his brow, having worked up quite a sweat. “The snake is stuck,” he said, “and I’m gonna need to call for help.”
I left on my daily walk but didn’t get far. Ten minutes out, Beth called. “Where are you?” she asked.
The question struck me as odd. She knew I’d left on my walk. “I’m on my walk,” I said.
“I know, but where are you right now?”
I gave her my coordinates. “You need to come back. Bonfe is here working on an estimate. It’s going to be a lot.”
“What’s a lot?”
“More than $10,000.”
“I’m on my way back,” I said, cranking up my pace. The estimate came close to $14,000. Having handled a few cases involving exactly the problem we faced—ancient, root-packed, seriously compromised sewer line running from house to street—I was confident we were “getting off easy.” Plus, my savvy spouse had purchased insurance a year ago and was already on the phone with a helpful claims adjuster.
And didn’t I say we’re already part owners of Bonfe?
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© 2022 by Eric Nilsson
