I was once dining out at an Italian restaurant which I had been to many times before. I was just eating my garlic bread when I heard what sounded like water dripping. I ignored it and carried on eating when I saw water dripping from a crack in the ceiling. Okay no big deal, I’m sure every restaurant sprouts the occasional leak. But this little leak quickly turned into a waterfall. The dripping escalated into water pouring from the ceiling. The pressure continues to build until it rivals that of a bathroom shower. All the while I’m sitting there meters away with a rapidly growing pool of water filling the dining room.
I didn’t know what to do; I was the only customer as it was the quiet time of the day and the server was up in the kitchen so I was alone. Fearing what could happen if the leak hit an electrical cable or the roof came falling in, I quickly fled up the stairs with the pool of water spreading further into the restaurant. I poked my head into the kitchen where all the staff were working as if nothing was wrong. The server who took my order suddenly notices me and asked if something is wrong. “You do realise your restaurant is flooding don’t you?” I ask him. I explain the situation to the horrified staff who run downstairs.
The leak had thankfully stopped but the floor was soaked with a fair few inches of water. My heart went out to the waiting staff who began mopping up the great mess. Apparently the leak was due to the chefs doing some tinkering with the pipes. A lesson to all restaurant personnel – always leave plumbing work within the capable hands of trained and qualified professionals if you do not want your dining room turned into the set of Titanic!
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