Arent Mario and Luigi plumbers?

When you answer a cell phone call from your wife, there are a few phrases you really dont want to hear.  Injuries or worse are their own category, but theres another category of stomach droppers out there that I got today.  "Theres water dripping from the kitchen ceiling" was the call I got today.  ****! <censored because I was at work>  Since it hasnt rained in 5 days, I can pretty well rule out a leak in the roof.

Sooooooo, I take the afternoon off to see if my Junior Plumber kit will do the trick.  No dice.  It appears my main drain pipe, or "stack," as its known, is clogged.   I try draining the water form the relief valve, slowly, ever so slowly, so I dont have a gusher into the basement.  That works just fine, but alas, I cannot snake it.  My snake isnt long enough (yeah yeah, I know, its genetics).

Anyway, I call the plumber and give him the symptoms and my probable diagnosis.  He agrees that it is most likely either just clogged or <shudder> it could be that the elbow below the floor is broken and now clogged up with junk.  Hes not able to come out until tomorrow morning, and I dont want to use anyone else, so here I sit.  Since the difference between the two problems is right around $1000.00, you know I am hoping for simply a clog.  So, anytime we use water, I get to go downstairs and open the relief valve long enough to drain out whatever we used.  It sure is a fun way to spend the evening!

Sigh...........