I often throw a load of clothes in the dryer or start the dishwasher before I charge out the door—it’s efficient.
I know, I know, it’s also not a good idea. Disaster finally struck last month, after 29 years.
Instead of clean dishes, I got a flood. I quickly mopped up the water, but a few days later the wood floor buckled.
Not suspecting the extent of the damage, we didn’t get a floor man in until a week later. By that time the subfloor was saturated and our kitchen had to be torn apart, disrupting our routine. Several square yards of floor, the cabinet, dishwasher and countertop had to be removed to get to the subfloor and mold.
After a week of drying, new floor had to be installed, necessitating refinishing all the wood floors – three more days of disruption.
Remember the flooding we experienced in Naperville in 1996 when 17 inches fell in 24 hours? Block after block of soaked basement contents were stacked at the curb. We even saw water gushing out the front door of a house built in the flow path from the retention pond to the river. The high-ceiling basement was completely submerged.
I know it must be devastating to see your home and possessions destroyed in storms, floods or fires, so the disruption we experienced was minor. At least we have decent insurance, unlike many who suffered in the wake of hurricanes Katrina or Sandy.
Yet, I remember a story I heard by inspirational speaker Wayne Dwyer. His house was burning but once he realized his family and even the pets were safe, he was walking around praising God. It’s a view of life that helps us through the deep valleys.
I am now convinced, however, that the dishwasher should be off when we’re out.
