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We have a sump pump in the crawl space at both ends of the house. At one end the drain hose just sticks out an access hole and the water runs down through the yard into the street. At the other end the DIY builders couldn't find a good downslope. So they connected the drain hose into the grey water line from the laundry room. (We have septic systems up here so you don't run any more drains than you have to into the black water tank.)

The first year we lived here, we didn't quite keep up with the forest detritus filling up the drainage ditch running around the lower part of the lot, so during the first big rain the ditch overflowed and water ran right down into the crawl space. Soon the water level rose and tripped the sump pump.

Obviously the owner-builder had never actually tested this scenario. Turns out that the sump pump can deliver water faster than the grey water line can void it.

So we heard a funny noise at that end of the house, tracked it down to the bathroom, looked in... and water was shooting up out of the shower drain with about a four-foot head.

Some things you can see with your own eyes, yet they are so unbelievable, so out of the realm of the possible, that you just stand there transfixed, having absolutely no idea what's wrong or what to do to make it stop. Is it time to call Ghostbusters? The floor was already half an inch deep in water.

Eventually I figured it out. I'm convinced that it was probably the most intelligent thing I've ever done in my entire life. I actually reasoned it out and hit upon the fact that the only thing we had that could pump water that fast was the sump pump and that somehow it must be hooked into the grey water line. From that point it only took a couple of minutes with the infuriatingly mis-labeled circuit breaker box to find the one that powered the sump pump and flip it. Then half an hour with the shop vac and a mop. Then several days of cursing the people we bought the house from and wondering what the next surprise would be.

BTW, that would be a 3,000 sqft house that used to hold a family of six, set 200 feet back from the street on a grade about ten feet higher than the water company line -- with a half inch water main.

I would have made an attempt to get the stuff off. If that didn't work topping it with new drywall would be another possibility - but that's not always feasible either.

Scott - you are funny.

Aren't there more fun ways to be a sociopath?

The main teleconference room where my spouse works shares its longest wall with the men's bathroom, 4 stalls and 3 urinals in all. So when there is a large conference going on in a room full of very expensive furniture, the latest in video and teleconference equipment and large videoscreens full of C level people, their discussions and powerpoint presentations are accompanied by flushing toilets. Very impressive!
Perhaps it would be a better room for Poker?

The problem is in the process of being, uh, flushed out, as insulation will be going in the wall over the next week or two.

Dc_Guy

The sump was probably a home job - no building/plumbing inspector would have let that go when it was first put together.

A house inspector on the sale of the home might have tested the sump set-up for a few minutes - not enough time to see what a mess it was.

You tell a great tale.

Maureen

Been there done that, on more than one house mind you. As a teenager, a took to painting one summer and ended up staring a small crew of student painter to subcontract out the next summer. We ran into several cases just like that, in one case it was quicker, easier and FAR cheaper to just 'make the room a wee bit smaller' (about 3/8" all around)

Lick of paint, let dry ten minutes, Bob's your uncle!

I suppose there never was, is or will be an actual person who's uncle is called Bob though. Bob is never MY uncle, always YOUR uncle, so WHO is Bob's neice or nephew?

They must have one slick-assed uncle Bob, everything easy seems to relate to him!

(sorry, I haven't hade a drink yet today)