Thursday Blocks -and - The Toilet Chronicles

I have a tale to tell.  I am calling it "The Toilet Chronicles"  as it was a multi-day bizarre sequence of events.
But first, how about another couple of pretty Bento Blocks for some eye candy/quilting joy.

The aqua toned blue goes well with both the lavender and the rich pink. I am happy with both of these blocks.

Now, a tale of horror!  A tale of home ownership.  A tale of two brothers and how they overcame adversity.  (we hope!)



Let's go back a few days.  Last Friday, I was awakened early by a strange sound. I walked into the bathroom to discover water spraying from the cut-off valve at the back of my toilet. There was quite a bit of water in the floor.  I turned off the valve and it stopped spraying. I called my brother who is handy with almost everything.  He takes that from our Dad. His second career is with a maintenance company using his substantial skills. (He is retired from a career as a military mechanic.)

My brother came to my rescue and saw that the supply line had ruptured.  We got a replacement and he fixed it.

Dateline: Sunday morning:  I awake to find that the toilet is running constantly.  I turn the cutoff valve, thinking "at least I know how to fix this myself."  Oops!  the valve will slow the flow but not cut it completely off.  ARRRRGH.  Thinking that my brother is unavailable due to something Mom said, I live with the very slow water loss over the weekend as it is basically filling the tank over a period of about 8 hours and almost enough to flush when used.

Dateline Tuesday:  we replace the cutoff valve
Dateline Wednesday: got a kit to fix the toilet.  We fix the toilet.  It seems fine.
Dateline Thursday:  I start my normal routine the morning is going well.  I feel great.  I am so happy the toilet is fixed.  I flush the toilet. Water gushes from the back under the tank.  YIKES.  (or maybe I said something else that I won't say here.)  I look under and around and see that the water is coming from where the tank joins the bowl.  I consider crying, decide that is not helpful and call my brother. He is baffled but asks "I did put the seal on it, didn't I?"  I remember him doing it (the seal was red) I say "That red seal?"  He confirms.  I tell him that I have put a container to catch the water so no huge hurry....and I have to be at Mom's in a few minutes.  So we put it on hold.

Later Thursday: I am back at home. I pull out the instructions (that we didn't read because he has done this so many times and he is a professional. )   I read along and see that if your toilet is a Gerber or a Kohling you will a different gasket (the seal.)  The toilet was here when I moved in.  I have never seen a brand name on it.  I google "how to determine the brand of your toilet."  The answer is (generally) "It is on the inside of your tank or the tank lid." It is often imprinted in the ceramic. I look inside the tank very carefully and find that it is a Gerber. I text my brother what I have found.  He researches and asks "what model, Gerber, is it?"  I look inside again. There is a date but no model number.
Google, please help!  Google leads me to the information that it is under the rim of the toilet. I go "Wha......." then I see the photo...it is under the rim on the outside.  I find the model number. My brother says "They have changed the numbering system since then."  ARRRGH.  Clever man that he is, he asks "Do you still have the old one?"
Yes, I do, it is in the trash bag.  He comes by and gets it.  Off to the plumbing distributor (he knows people) and back with the gasket. (FYI, I had checked all the big box and local hardware stores and no-one had it in stock.)

The gasket is installed and he leaves.  I to go in to clean up the mess and put everything back in place (as you do) WATER IN THE FLOOR ----AGAIN.

I call him.  He comes right back.  We take it apart and put it back together. (seemingly the same way.)  We flush a couple of times and it doesn't leak.  (I silently pray.) He leaves a couple of tools "just in case." 
If you are wondering - the bathroom is still in disarray as I write this on Thursday night - scheduled for early Friday publication. I will have to move the cabinet before I can shower in the morning. But I wanted to be sure it would not need to be moved out again.

Meanwhile,  I have cooked a sugar free lemon loaf since tomorrow is Mom's birthday.  I am still praying the the last fix holds.  I am exhausted.  Typos may appear in this post.  My apologies. 

Right now, I have supper cooking and it should be done soon.  I am so grateful for my baby brother. He is the best gift Mom and Dad ever gave me.

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.