Additional Costs of Home Ownership.

It's pretty timely that Konstantin has been doing some writing on the issues surrounding buying a house, albeit in London. (and in German).

Of all the 'systems' in the house that are most important, the wastewater system is probably critical, and its no fun when it breaks. Last weekend ours came to a complete standstill. 2 toilets and a shower backed up. On a Saturday morning. Any idea what it costs to have a plumber come use the rooter (Spirale auf Deutsch) on your house on a Saturday? Fortunately, me either.

Charles and I opted for the 'do-it-yourself' solution: a rental-rooter from a store near the house. We went to work on the sewer pipe from the backyard toward the house. It's one of the nastiest jobs related to home ownership there can be, but thankfully its not one we have to do too often. We ground through the blockage, mostly tree roots and paper, and the drains flow freely once more. Rental on the unit: around $20. Water expended on showering off after pulling back the nasty rooter: around $15.

There's not a more satisfying sound related to home ownership than hearing the toilet flush after the mess of cleaning out the other end.