Today was to be the day we got our water back. We hired the company R Mech to replace the water line between the water main and the house. They had the lowest bid, along with the best detail in their bid about the work they would be doing. And they arrived promptly on Monday morning, as they said they would.
I had wondered how they were going to get the equipment up to the front lawn: we have a 45% slope in front, and steps up the side. When they arrived and unloaded the backhoe they showed me how: drove it all the way up the driveway, and around the back and side of the house to get to the front. All he had to do was very adroitly move a couple three edging stones I had placed at the back of the driveway over the years.
I had wondered, and been concerned, about where the pipe entered the basement. We could see the pipe coming into the basement from the inside, but I did wonder where outside that might be. It had the possibility of going right underneath the front step. But after careful measurements by the R Mech crew — Tim and Paul — they confirmed that it went in just to the side of the step. So they started digging the trench.
It was a rather impressive show to see how swiftly, and with what precision, Tim operated the backhoe. His 40 years of experience was obvious in the clean way he cut the trench, and the delicate way he worked along the wall of the house and cut down to the old water line without abrading it.
The trench was dug by 11:30, and the new pipe and meter pit laid and installed by noon. Then it was sitting around and waiting for the city inspector to arrive and install the water meter. I watched Paul and Tim waiting around, Tim on the phone again and again to the inspector, until it was finally confirmed that the inspector would not be coming today, but tomorrow morning.
During the morning and early afternoon I took a couple of minutes every hour to check on the progress, and see how it was going. I learned a lot in those rare minutes, talking to Paul, and then Tim, about our project and the principles of their work. As usual, I was both impressed and amazed by the knowledge and skills of these craftsmen.
Tomorrow: Water Finally! (we hope)
At The Rainbow 
I sincerely hope by this time tomorrow, Jonathan, your water troubles will be a thing of the past.
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Thank you, Barb. We do too 😉
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You’re most welcome. I understand all about being without water, and it’s not any fun at all. You and your family have done very well dealing with this challenge.
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