My kids were absolutely thrilled by “Stevie”. Stevie was an approximately 14″ long garter snake who poked his head out of a first floor bathroom sink while they were washing their hands. He evidently found a way into our septic system (brick cesspool with retrofitted PVC leaching field, cast iron into basement and then PVC from there). Question: has this ever happened to anyone else? Did it happen again? What did you do? My better half was not amused by my “he’s just a baby, wait to you see mommy”; won’t use the sink and is now wary of the shower…
(Stevie spent a few hours in a dry fish tank, and was then released into the woods. I first opened the trap and played an hour of “catch me if you can” when he stuck his head/first four inches out. Finally got him all the way out by repeatedly touching him behind his head, which got him to progressively slither forward/out until I could block his retreat. With a four and a three year-old shouting “Don’t hurt him”, other options were not viable. Nixed my wife’s idea of “flushing” him away as thought he would just return at a later date…)
Regards,
Rework
Replies
Just don't tell the city, they might want to come out and inspect your septic.
Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
Forget the primal scream, just Roar!
There is some construction going on somewhere near you, right?. Forcing the wildlife to move to new homes.
Peace Pot Microdot
Im sorry, but I really enjoyed the story . The title was catchy as hell too. I was thinking that I could relate to the title. You know where this is going ! hahaha
Oh well, maybe you dont . Reccomended Posts !
Tim Mooney
Tim:
I'm in a world of hurt on this one. My comments which seemed funny at the time (e.g.: "Geez kids he must have a dozen brothers and sisters") have come back to haunt. How do I prove to my better half that there are no more residents in our piping? Next time, when the kids yell out "Daddy there's a worm in the sink", I'll go in, make sure he retreats, throw in one of those candy Gummy worms, and explain to DW that they were just joking around. Must admit, when I take a shower now, I seem to be looking at the drain a bit more frequently....
Regards,
Rework
Cut a piece of bronze screen to fit the drain. Epoxy it in, or cut a smaller piece of pipe to slide in there, and hold it in place.
Better yet, make a "basket" out of the bronze screen. That way, it can be taken out for cleaning
Cut me some slack here
Quittin' Time
Our company proving grounds is way out in Wylie E. Coyote country, in the middle of nowhere, AZ and they have collected quite a zoo full of critters (rattlers, scorpions, science fiction-like spiders) who've wandered into the building.
But my favorite one was the rattle snake who came up the drain pipe in one of the bathrooms (!).
They tried to coax it out but I guess they did not think of your technique of tapping it on the back of the head so they finally had to kill it to get it all out (a pretty big rattler).
I understand that you can buy land real cheap out there...
=8-0
"My better half won't use the sink and is now wary of the shower"
What about using the toilet!? Wouldn't that be the big worry.
In case anyone is wondering about a possible lack of water in the traps: I'm not surprised at the snake getting there. Garter snakes are great swimmers and frequently hunt and escape in the water.
David:
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Though having spent 5 years on a local conservation commission, I was ignorant of the fact that garter snakes are great swimmers. You have really put my mind at rest as far as using the toilet--I guess after it snows I'll blame the yellow snow on our two dogs...
Regards,
Rework
Flush twice. Once before, and once after.Cut me some slack here
Quittin' Time
I had the same thought as Steven thomas......just dont mention to your wife that you may find more critters come up through the toilt....eeeee...even I have the heebie geebies now,,,,,echhhhh.
Be well
Namaste
andy
It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Edited 10/3/2002 8:41:59 PM ET by Andy Clifford(Andybuildz)
My heebies are having geebies, both of them!.
Excellence is its own reward!
Darn I was getting ready to go sit in the garden tub for an hour and read. Think I might not read as well. Those heebee geebee's though are really going to get me because the wife is already mad.
At the risk of being corrected by any of the resident plumbers I will make a small observation. I would think it more likely that the snake made it into the plumbing by way of the vent stack, typically coming down near the sink drain, rather than through the drain field or septic tank.
Poor critter probably got onto the roof by way of a overhanging tree, pure speculation but I get extra points if you have such a tree, started into the vent to get cover from birds and slid down the slick PVC. Once down, not being able to climb back up the vent stack, there were few other places to go but the sink.
I would think a bit of 1/4" mesh screen would eliminate the possibility of a recurrence but I think this is most likely a once in a lifetime event. So no correction needed. Something to remember with your kids around the fireplace in your dotage.
4LORN1:
Yes we do have an overhanging tree, and yes snakes are seen all around it. Thank you. Your route seems more plausible than the snake intercepting a perforation hole in the PVC pipe. Screen is going on today, and then my wife might finally forgive my original humor....
Regards,
Rework