10/25/01
Periodic stressful events for many of us typically include being caught in traffic congestions, disagreement with loved ones, and failing to meet work schedules, among others. The owners of a cottage or cabin in northern temperate zones have another - preparing the getaway residence for below freezing weather.
This last "weekend" at the cottage (10/21-10/23) was really quite pleasant - good Scrabble game, Science News catch-up now into mid-July, successful grouse hunt (even if too tough to enjoy eating), needlepoint nearing completion - until Tuesday afternoon. The time for turning off the water and draining pipes had arrived. I didn't understand how distressing this imminent chore was to Tom until he explained some history of past years.
From the very first years of the cottage, which he built with the assistance of his former wife, there were difficulties. Arrival in the spring brought a cracked pipe or 2 and the resulting leaks when the water was turned on. The system was modified more than twice, with the goal finally achieved only a couple of years before Tom arranged stewardship by his daughter and her handyman boyfriend, eventually to become husband. Many years later however, provincial regulations required all "gray water" drain pipes to be routed to larger septic tanks rather then to dry wells. Later still, a new water pump arrangement was installed when the old one wore out. As a result, pipe arrangements were altered and when Tom - who had rarely used the cottage during this time (nearly 20 years) - was asked to shut off the water one winter, he followed the procedure as well as he could remember it modified with respect to the new changes, not having been given any new instructions. Well, spring came and his daughter's return to the cottage brought unpleasant words to Tom and the bill for a broken pipe and toilet.
So, it was not difficult for me to understand why Tom approached this task with trepidation. As a result, all was done very systematically - after the last swallow of coffee. The hot water heater and separate water pump were turned off and valves opened to drain from pipes from inside; sink and shower faucets were opened. Protectively covered in bright orange coveralls, Tom maneuvered under the cottage in this far from plesant task - pouring rain resulted in wet ground on which Tom had to crawl on his back to get under the house, low pipes (from the gray water changes) which he had to wiggle underneath, and water pouring out all over when he opened the taps and traps to drain the water and drainage pipes. Opening the outside valve for the water pump to the lake was trivial in comparison. Meanwhile, inside the house, I assured that the toilet bowl and tank were sponged dry.
Tom didn't relax till he'd checked and double checked and then admitted that he'll still be concerned on our first visit after the thaw next spring. Of course we'll be at the cottage a few more times before the heavy snows expected near the end of the year, using drinking water brought from home and hauled lake water for washing and toilet use. (We'll need to drain the toilet bowl at the end of each visit. Fun!) So each visit will bring the nagging question "Are the pipes OK?", not to be answered till next spring. I'm confident that Tom covered all bases, but we'll still be holding our collective breaths slightly next May when we turn on the pump after closing all the taps and traps. Re-evaluation of the entire plumbing system for permanent winterizing is on the agenda for spring also.
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