In the computer world, there is a phenomenon known as “a cascade of errors.” \u00a0 This occurs when \u00a0 a single problem triggers secondary problems, which in turn trigger tertiary problems, until the user of the computer \u00a0 system is overwhelmed with a mountain of error messages. \u00a0 Only one error is really at fault, but the resulting cascade makes the problem see much worse.<\/p>\n
A similar thing happens with houses. \u00a0 Case in point: the bathroom in Emma’s room. \u00a0 The shower \u00a0 was usable but cosmetically unattractive, and the enclosure door leaked. \u00a0 (Remember that, because it was the initiation of the cascade.)<\/p>\n
I removed the enclosure and discovered secondary problems. \u00a0 The enclosure was hiding cracked tiles and failed grout. Upon preparing to replace the grout, I found a tiny trickle of water beneath the tub filler that told me the faucets were leaking — the tertiary problem. \u00a0 I probably wouldn’t have noticed that trickle if I hadn’t been squinting underneath the filler looking for bad grout.<\/p>\n
Now, to fix the leaking faucet we’ll need to remove some tiles. \u00a0 Behind the wall, we will certainly find valves that need replacement, and rotted wood. \u00a0 But here’s the nefarious part of a house renovation: the logic that, since we are here, perhaps we should replace the rest of the bath tile. \u00a0 It’s cracked in places, the grout is a mess, and wouldn’t it look nice in a different color anyway?<\/p>\n
OK, let’s tabulate what this means. \u00a0 First, 58 square feet of tile. \u00a0 New faucet and associated plumbing hardware. \u00a0 Fiberglass backing board, mastic, and grout. \u00a0 Two or three days of labor. \u00a0 Result: \u00a0 another $1000+ out the window, completely unbudgeted.<\/p>\n
And when the new shower is done, what’s the last thing we’ll buy? \u00a0 A new shower door. \u00a0 Maybe this time we’ll just hang a curtain.<\/p>\n
That’s our step backward for the day. \u00a0 On the plus side, the adobe repairs in our bedroom are coming along nicely. \u00a0 Once the repaired blocks are filled and colored, you can hardly tell they aren’t original. \u00a0 The photos above show the same area of blocks. \u00a0 On the left, as found. \u00a0 On the right, as repaired.<\/p>\n![\"tucson-broken-adobes.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/tour.airstreamlife.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/02\/tucson-broken-adobes.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"tucson-repaired-adobes.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/tour.airstreamlife.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/02\/tucson-repaired-adobes.jpg\")
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