This plumber has accumulated dozens of unusual anecdotes over the decades of his company’s existence, but this one is undoubtedly one of the most original.
For several decades, the Attelann plumbing company, well known in the Paris region, has had its share of surprising situations and memorable anecdotes. Each intervention has its share of unforeseen events, and the teams, experienced in all kinds of situations, know that their job can sometimes take unexpected turns. Between a stuffed lion discovered in a laundry room and an electric water heater installed in the middle of a child’s bedroom, there is no shortage of unusual stories. But if there’s one anecdote that really stands out, it’s this one.
A few years ago, two plumbers from the company were dispatched for an urgent intervention in a 15-story building in the Paris region. When they arrived, the situation was confusing: the building’s collective pipes were completely out of service. Despite their experience, they were far from imagining what awaited them. The usual diagnoses, such as classic obstructions or technical failures, seemed unlikely in this specific case. And for good reason: no one could have guessed the origin of the breakdown.
After locating the source of the problem, the two technicians headed towards the common areas located in the basement. Armed with their tools, they began working on the faulty pipe. But as soon as the access was opened, they were stunned: stuck inside the pipes was… a broom! Yes, an entire broom, with its handle intact, measuring over a meter long. Impossible to understand how this domestic object could have ended up there, in a system designed solely for the evacuation of wastewater.
The scene is surprising. Plumbers had to work harder to extract the object without further damaging the pipes. Once the accessory was removed, they were able to repair the system, thus restoring normal water flow. But even afterward, the question remained.
How did a broom get there? Was it a bad joke, negligence or an accidental act? Unfortunately, history does not provide us with these answers. What we do know, however, is that this anecdote perfectly illustrates the incredible unforeseen events that plumbers can be faced with. Even today, the mystery remains, adding a little more flavor to this already funny story.
