We have a drain backup issue affecting the entire building requiring us to shut off the main water line. Water is essential for cleanup and safety response, so we must temporarily shut down the shop while we work on this issue.
We will work to resolve this as quickly as possible and keep everyone informed here along the way. Please follow this post for updates.
Thank you @smartin for the immediate triaging on site, @jamesfreeman for providing advice, and @Rolo for rapid onsite response.
The workshop is closed at this time while we troubleshoot the plumbing issue. More details to follow as soon as we’re able.
I am recommending Classes and Events for Saturday Aug 1st to be cancelled as there is no running water. This means the bathrooms are unavailable and water for safety is unavailable.
It appears no things or belongings were damaged. Backed up water is mostly isolated to ceramics rooms, the office, and the stewards closet. It has been cleaned up and we’ll be contacting plumbers first thing in the morning.
Wheel throwing class is still on this morning.
Lines are clear, the shop is reopen. MPR bathroom is closed for cleaning.
Thank you for your patience, more details to follow
Thank you all for your patience and I apologize for the inconvenience it has caused.
Last night, flooding in ceramics was reported as well has in some of the bathrooms. This was caused by a main sewage line being clogged in the building, likely from clay and toilet paper (things flushed 
). @smartin was around late last night cleaning up and putting things back into order as best he could. @sarahmartin didn’t want to miss out on the fun and helped clean out the office and prep for closure.
Black Diamond ATX plumbing came out to clear the line at the end of a very long night of helping clear grease clogs from restaurants. @jamesfreeman came in early to troubleshoot and lead them right to where he thought the clog was. They used a hydro jetter (water jetter) to blast and clean the line from one end of the building to the other. For preventative measures, we’ll ask them to come out at least once a year. If you need a reliable plumber, Black Diamond ATX is it.
This morning I called 6 plumbers and 6 equipment rental places. None were available or were too far away. @Duckie called our neighbors who run Ka Prow Thai restaurant. They gave us the contact for Black Diamond.
I know some schedules were rocked a bit this morning, however it’s important to recognize the wide reach of support afforded to us in this moment. This is not something we’ve had to do before and we don’t have a formal playbook for this. I’m thankful for everyone physically and virtually involved with this. Keeping calm is how we best push through something unknown that has wide affects, which everyone did very well with. The behavior and actions of people during this event will be the foundations for a plan of action in the event other facility shut down emergencies happen.
Going forward, be mindful of things flushed down the toilets. Specifically for all ceramicists, regularly check the clay traps. Change them early and often. These practices will help keep our pipes cleaner for longer.
A big shout out to @Rolo and @sarahmartin who were both on site within 30 minutes of my initial distress call! (on a Friday after 10pm no less)
Bigger shout out to @Duckie because she just cleaned up the nastiest area of them all. The mpr bathroom. Stuff was overflowing in there, and it was not clay…
On that note, we are definitely going to KaProw for lunch to share our appreciation with them.
Thanks to everyone involved for getting this dealt with so quickly!