My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on February 7, 2013

Well I probably shouldn’t say "a basement FULL of water," but when coming home from a week vacation and finding water covering the floor makes it feel like the basement was FULL of water!

We stumbled in last night after a day of travel pretty much ready for bed, only to find "water, water, everywhere" … and scrabbled to figure out what was going on. I knew the weather had been cold and immediately suspected that a pipe may have broken. A glance at the flashing microwave hinted that perhaps a power outage contributed to the problem? I waded down the stair into the "clear" pool of water in our basement and skeptically flipped my hand at the electrical switches so I could at least see what I was looking at. After grabbing a flashlight I headed to both sump pumps (we have two) and they were humming away, but didn’t seem to be making much ground on the water level so I headed outside and notice that both outlets were overflowing … there must have been too much water for the drain line?

I rigged up a couple 4 inch pipes and stretch them away from the foundation and flooded the yard instead of the foundation … but at least the water didn’t head right back for the sump pit. I was obvious that the pumps were just recirculating most of the water that they were pumping, but I still couldn’t figure out what caused the flooding to begin with? There didn’t look to be much snow and I didn’t think we had that much rain? I put my ear to the water main in the basement and heard what I thought was water running. I had Brenda stick her head under each of our vanities and toilets … the washing machine, dishwater and icemaker … they were fine. Then I turned off the valve where the BlueMax plastic pipe came in from the outside and was able to quiet the pipes a bit. Hmm, our water pressure was low too???

Eventually our sump pumps caught up with the water, but "wow" those black perforated tiles under the basement floor were really streaming water into the sumps … at least one of the sumps … the one nearest the BlueMax pipe where water enters the house. Hmm … maybe I’m onto something?

An emergency call to the county water department had a truck out at dawn and we were able to shut off the main valve at the meter after noticing that the water meter was spinning "even though the house valve was off."  Ah ha … there is a leak between the meter and the house valve … most likely where the BlueMax pipe enters the house?

So here we are … a wet basement, ruined furniture, carpet, drywall, cabinets, my workshop tools (those that were low) and our house without water. Suffice to say, I’m not really "off" to work today; it would be so much nicer to be just complaining about going to work.

I did immediately call my insurance company and they arranged for a water extraction clean up crew and assigned me a claims adjuster … BUT I also found out what many probably already know, basement flooding are touchy issues. In fact, it looks as if most of my coverage (after my $1000 deductible) is going to pay only for clean up and dry out and will not be enough to cover drywall or carpet … let along the labor to install. I’m trying to contest … but am not sure how far I’m going to get?

In the meantime, I’m listening to the big vacuum truck in our driveway and helping guys hauling out the saturated carpet, wet drywall and soaked cardboard boxes. Thankfully the excavator came out and we’re scheduled to put in a new copper water line on Friday — being without water is already challenging!

I’m having too much fun … I just love coming home from a week of boat problems and helping with my in-laws medical issues while on a short vacation? [sarcasm]

Category: Misc, Personal | 6 Comments »
Tags: basement, damage, flooding, home, plumbing, water

Posted By RichC on February 5, 2013

In the last few weeks gasoline prices have risen 20 – 30 cents per gallon and the extra few dollars were felt when we were in Florida this past week. The small, and cheap feeling, Nissan Versa rental car was at least a little thrifty at the pump – 32 mpg, but it should have been better.

As for our sailboat problem, we unfortunately were still unable to launch Encore after finding a faulty engine mount when replacing the cutlass bearing (although I’m glad it was spotted) as the replacement didn’t arrive in time. Of course one problem lead to another, as after replacing the broken rear engine mount on Tuesday, The forward “dogbone” engine mount had a stud that had broken loose. It needs to be removed and welded. It looks like we’re just not suppose to be back in the water?

Those issues aside, it was great to have more time to spend with Brenda’s mom and dad. They are dealing with medical issues and appreciated having us around to help with a few things. Brenda was able to get PT set up for her mom as well as simple home care issues (laundry, cleaning, shopping, etc). We were glad to be with them.

Rear Volvo marine diesel engine mount

Category: Diesel, Sailing, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: encore, sailboat, vacation

Posted By RichC on February 4, 2013

Category: History | No Comments »
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Posted By RichC on February 3, 2013

Sunday afternoon was another lazy day at the beach relaxing in the beautiful Florida sunshine before heading back to my in-laws for wings, pizza and the Superbowl. Since we are from the east coast and the Ravens are in our division (Bengals, Browns), we’re pulling for them. So far, we haven’t been disappointed as they are looking better than the 49ers at halftime. Although we had planned on watching the game from the boat, we’re happy to be enjoying it with Brenda’s mom and dad.

Category: Entertainment, Photos, Sports | 1 Comment »
Tags: delray beach, family, florida, superbowl

Posted By RichC on February 1, 2013

Well if it isn’t one thing, it is another. Unfortunately Encore is still on the hard after my failing to noticed that the broken motor mount causing excessive wear on the cutlass bearing. At least I have the mount ordered and have time to work on the stuck seacocks. The downside is that we aren’t back in the water and that more dollars are leaving my wallet. Other that that the boat is looking good.

Category: Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: encore, sailboat

Posted By RichC on January 30, 2013

Great YouTube videos by DudePerfect. Gotta love the fun loving  “The Bearded Guy”, Tyler Toney and the young and as athletically gifted as Johnny “Football” Manziel. How real and how much was tweaked?

Category: Sports, Video | No Comments »
Tags: basketball, dude perfect, football, youtube

Posted By RichC on January 29, 2013

While packing my travel bag in the closet this morning, I had the feeling I was being watched … and no, not quite like CBS’s "Person of Interest," one of our favorite TV shows btw, but …

Lo and behold, a couple of Brenda’s little "beady" eyed "beany" somethings were looking up at me from her side of the closet.

Category: Misc, Photos, Video-TV | 1 Comment »
Tags: person of interest, tv

Posted By RichC on January 29, 2013

One of my favorite automotive sites Autoblog mentioned that the long awaited (2011 post) Chevrolet Cruze diesel will be making an appearance at the Chicago Auto Show as a 2014 model. According to reports it should compete handily in the fuel efficiency area with the Volkswagen Jetta TDI … although I’ll be anxious to see if it resembles the normal Chevy econoboxes in interior finish and driving characteristics? Some time ago Scott Burgess declared it needed some tweets.

Comment from Autoblog:

Earlier reports have indicated that the diesel Cruze will be able to achieve fuel economy numbers in the range of 50 miles per gallon. For comparison, the similarly sized Volkswagen Jetta TDI is rated at 30/42 mpg city/highway, but as we found out in our long-term test of the 2011 model, hitting 50 mpg was a piece of cake.

Official specifications will be released at the time of the 2014 Cruze’s unveiling, though reports have stated that the sedan will be powered by a reworked version of the 2.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-four found in the Holden Cruze CDX overseas. In that application, the four-pot oil-burner produces 160 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque – increases of 20 hp and 29 lb-ft over the 2.0-liter engine used in VW’s Jetta TDI.

Autoblog and more photos

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Volkswagen | No Comments »
Tags: Chevrolet, Cruze, diesel

Posted By RichC on January 28, 2013

Butler County Ohio’s high profile local Sheriff Richard Jones is addressing the recent hot button topic school security with a “two for one” idea by putting trained retired police officers in school buildings as substitute teachers.

Many of our local schools once had resource officers in the schools, but budget constraints due to the slow economy has forced cuts in spending. This creative solution could be a win-win solution to improving a school’s ability to respond if the circumstances should ever arise. It may not answer all the concerns of parents and teachers, but using trained retired veteran officers as substitutes is the best idea I’ve heard so far. This will no doubt be considered by school boards and districts across the country needing to stretch dollars and improve school security. Kudos to Sheriff Jones and Butler County.

Sheriff: Place armed ex-cops in schools

Butler County school days may soon include armed substitute teachers watching over students under a proposal that is the first of its kind in Ohio.

Under the plan announced Thursday by Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, retired police officers could volunteer to be trained to work in schools as substitute teachers – teaching in any of the county’s 10 school districts or private schools.

The idea, which Jones said may be a first in the nation, would put armed, trained veteran police officers in school buildings throughout the county at no more cost than districts now pay – about $75 per day – for substitute teachers.

“I assume every school district in Ohio will be looking at this, if not the nation,” said Jones, who credited retired Mason Police Officer Scott Miller – who joined him at Thursday’s press conference – with the idea.

“It’s two for one, and it’s cost-effective,” Jones said.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said he expects many of Ohio’s 614 public school districts and hundreds of private schools to consider it.

“It’s a decision to be made by each local school district, but I think some will approach it,” DeWine said. “If I was on a school board I’d think of having someone in that school who was a trained person … who had access to a gun in the school.”

Lakota school parent Wendy Goldfinger likes the idea.

“I’ve heard enough stories in other states where a principal or somebody in a school with a gun stopped a shooting, so I would not be opposed to this,” she said.

Read full article at Cincinnati.com

Category: Education, Local, News, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: butler county, gun control, schools, security, sheriff

Posted By RichC on January 27, 2013

While we wait for the production version of the Mazda 6 Skyactiv diesel sedan to arrive at dealers in the U.S. later this year, Mazda is busy giving 3 of their diesels a workout at the #Rolex24 hours of Daytona race this weekend. Unfortunately they were not overly prepared to race and found all three cars unable to run at full power. A few hours into the running, they headed for the garage due to production quality failed parts. Still it was interesting to see them giving a 4 cylinder diesel a shot at running hard for 24 hours. "It’s actually a miracle we are even here with the three cars," says Doonan. "Of the three, one didn’t even exist a week ago. We’ve had about five test days. Double that would’ve been nice."  Article

For Mazda, It’s Diesels at Daytona

When three Mazda 6 sedans roll onto the starting grid for the Rolex 24 endurance race on Saturday, they’ll be packing a technology the company says has never before competed at the Daytona International Speedway: diesel engines.

Mazda is no stranger to the annual 24-hour event, the traditional kickoff for the sports-car racing season in the United States, having won its class there 23 times. But its debut with diesel-powered sedans will come as a surprise to many of the automaker’s fans, who are used to seeing RX-7 and RX-8 sports cars, with their earsplitting rotary engines, take the checkered flag.

The new racing program, supported by Mazda engineers in Japan and North America, aims to publicize a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine that is one element of the company’s Skyactiv strategy to improve efficiency. The plan lifts a page out of the playbook that Audi has used so successfully at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: using racing to demonstrate the engine’s mettle and to increase awareness of diesel’s benefits.

“We think diesel, with its great low-end torque, durability, performance and fuel economy, fits the Mazda brand’s enthusiast reputation — and we hope the racing program will demonstrate that,” said Jim O’Sullivan, chief executive of Mazda North America.

Read Entire NYTime article

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Mazda | 1 Comment »
Tags: daytona, diesel, mazda