Help wanted: a trustworthy plumber in my area

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It all started when I noticed a strange smell coming from under the kitchen sink. At first the odor was so slight that I thought it was just my super-sensitive nose acting up. (Yes, I admit it: I am the type who spends several weeks every spring sniffling and snuffling as seasonal allergies afflict my schnoz. Im also the type who notices lingering cigarette smoke in a room at fifty paces. On the plus side, you dont need to ask twice I love to stop and smell the flowers.)

The Perfume

Over time, as the perfume grew in intensity, I took action and emptied the under-sink area. The process reminded me of going to the circus and watching all those clowns climb out of a Volkswagen. Whoda thunk I had so much stuff stashed in that small space! I scrubbed the cabinets interior top, bottom, and sides with a soapy bleach solution. Then I gave the trash can, also normally stored under the sink, a good scouring as well.

All was fine for a few days. Then the aroma returned. I wondered whether I should call a plumber in my area to come have a whiff, but as a new homeowner, I wasnt sure who to contact or how much they would charge. (Somehow I couldnt imagine that my firstborn would be willing to spend the next 20 years as a Miami plumbers apprentice, no matter how much he loves the beach.)

So I dithered and dallied until *the* night.

*The* Night

It started like so many of my evenings. I was typing away on the computer until far later than was good for me. Finally ready to toddle off to bed, I paused to wash the few dishes left in the kitchen sink. And then I heard it the unmistakable drip, drip of water coming from somewhere it was not supposed to be.

Bravely I opened the bottom cupboard door and gave the plumbing a fierce look. I could see liquid oozing from the hot water valve, so I tried turning the valve in an attempt to shut it off. The piece came off in my hand I still get the shudders thinking of it! and the flow became a torrent.

I raced for the water main ("conveniently" placed by my homes previous owner on the exterior wall). Once the water was turned off, the next steps were to clean the flood and phone my insurance company. NOTE: Trying to multitask by doing these at one and the same time was not an efficient course of action.

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Help wanted: a trustworthy plumber in my area