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JaysonFour
Classy Monster KittehRegistered User regular
Classy Monster KittehRegistered User regular
Yesterday morning, about six a.m., a car belonging to the family that lives across the street from mine came to pay a visit. It went down the driveway, across the street, took out the tree next to our driveway and continued on, hitting the house and sliding down the side until it took out our gas meter. We started smelling gas in the house almost immediately, and ended up wrestling six cats into carriers, gathering up everything important and needed, and getting out.
First off, we're all okay, somehow. I was a little dizzy because of all the fumes, but three humans and six cats came out of the place, and that's everyone.
The house is fine, too- the fire department came and used a few industrial-strength fans to pull the gas out of the house. The gas company came (over an HOUR LATER... grrr:x ), and replaced the gas meter and some of the indoor gas lines going to the various things that need gas.
So, now we come to the problems.
After the sun rose yesterday, the family goes outside to see... an giant crack in the wall of the foundation. I don't think it's the slab, but it looks eerily like it broke directly between the main floor and the basement levels. Would it be a good idea to get a general contractor to come out and give a professional opinion? I highly doubt it'd be on our dime.
Second... how do I manage to relax in this house again? We're all still mostly on edge because of what happened, and the knowledge that it really could have been a hell of a lot worse keeps rattling around in my head. I'm too freaked out to turn on the stove, the dryer, or the heat, since they all use gas. I keep having thoughts of the house exploding with us in it. How long is it going to take for those images to get the hell out of my head?
First off, we're all okay, somehow. I was a little dizzy because of all the fumes, but three humans and six cats came out of the place, and that's everyone.
The house is fine, too- the fire department came and used a few industrial-strength fans to pull the gas out of the house. The gas company came (over an HOUR LATER... grrr:x ), and replaced the gas meter and some of the indoor gas lines going to the various things that need gas.
So, now we come to the problems.
After the sun rose yesterday, the family goes outside to see... an giant crack in the wall of the foundation. I don't think it's the slab, but it looks eerily like it broke directly between the main floor and the basement levels. Would it be a good idea to get a general contractor to come out and give a professional opinion? I highly doubt it'd be on our dime.
Second... how do I manage to relax in this house again? We're all still mostly on edge because of what happened, and the knowledge that it really could have been a hell of a lot worse keeps rattling around in my head. I'm too freaked out to turn on the stove, the dryer, or the heat, since they all use gas. I keep having thoughts of the house exploding with us in it. How long is it going to take for those images to get the hell out of my head?
I can has cheezburger, yes?
JaysonFour on
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Well, okay, as to your last point, I think only time spent in the house will help. You're not going to feel safe or comfortable immediately and I don't think there's anything external that can help on that front but time will let you regain your comfortability. You'll probably laugh aout it eventually.
Just don't smoke in the house for awhile.
Yes, you should definately have a professional in such matters come out and look at it. Even if for some reason it's not a big deal (though it very well could be), it will give you peace of mind.
It's going to take a while for you to relax again, I think feeling that way after only one day has passed would be totally normal. As Drez said, time spent in the house will help - and eventually after everything has been settled down for a while, you'll be able to laugh about it.
And if the weather's decent where you are...Spend some time outside in the sun too. Remind yourself that you're still alive, you're safe, and the world will continue on
Yeah, and on this: I could be wrong but it's even possible this is a potential hazard for other neighbors. Gas leaks are rarely good things. I would call a professional immediately...you don't want to be responsible or held liable for an accident caused by this. Again, I might be talking out of my ass but it's a good idea to cover all your bases anyway, and as soon as possible.
I had a really bad bicycle crash--guardrail at 30+--in 2006, and had to be put in an ambulance--bike buckled & shattered, and numerous injuries. I still relive it now and again ;-) For the first 3 months it was awful, i'd see it all happening when i went to bed, and just shiver & shake. Now, it's pretty rare--it helps that i crashed the same way in 07, in the same month no less near the same place, and rolled & was uninjured & my bike was fine.... but until that, I think I was still terrified.
What helped me was realizing it didn't have to happen that way, you know? Going through the same thing with a very different result--I kept my cool & managed to roll & not be injured. Obviously you shouldn't have another car crash into your house, but it may help to look at ways that the situation can be changed, and realize that you aren't in much danger! Maybe install more detectors/etc, do what it takes to make it so you don't have to worry about this.
Seeing as the gas company come out there replaced your meter and get everything the once over I think you're going to be fine in that regards. As to the comfort and relaxation thing, the human mind has developed ways to deal with traumatic events like this. This too shall pass.
You'll be okay.
Critical Failures - Havenhold Campaign • August St. Cloud (Human Ranger)
But the gas company (you know, the experts on this) came out and took care of everything. They know what they're doing, and wouldn't leave if everything wasn't in perfect shape, especially for liability reasons.
I know its tough, but you can always take comfort in the fact that a company wants to cover its ass :P
As for the experience, you can smell the agent (mercaptan) gas companies use long before there is risk of explosion- which is why they do it n the first place. Maybe also, a running car slammed into your house, blew the gas line and things still did not explode. So obviously, gas leak explosions are a little bit harder to trigger than dragging your feet across the living room carpet while making bacon on the stove.
Rough go, bud. Hope it works out alright.
anyway, get a civil/structural engineer to your house ASAP...then use their findings to milk the insurance company for zillions
I'd be very surprised if you found anything, but it may, at least, offer you some peace of mind.