Why do they always show pictures like of plumbing projects in things like the Time/Life book series of nice, clean work spaces? You know when it comes to it you’re in a muddy crawl space with cobwebs and spiders everywhere, insulation falling on you and cat shit everywhere.
Yeah, so i have been working on plumbing recently. At first i was using a hacksaw to cut the 3/4 inch rigid copper tubing that i was installing instead of the 1/2 inch tubing that runs to the hot water heater. I used sandpaper and steel wool to smooth the surfaces. Then i finally got tired of that and bought a proper pipe cutter and the brush thingy for the pipe.
I’m going through all this to be able to stop using the cistern and rainwater collection system and switch over to the municipal water. Resale value of the home combined with my frozen pipe frustrations from this past winter have me cornered.
I then had to re-learn how to flux and solder copper. I didn’t do half bad. I decided that instead of just putting in the T to the hot water heater, the washing machine, and the kitchen sink that i would add a hose bib and a stub just in case a hot tub ever gets put on the deck. I measured and re-measured and assembled the series of pipes and fittings for the 20 feet of replaced pipe. I went under the house and started cutting the pipe out that needed to be switched and then, when cutting the last of the three i noticed that the pipe was warm. But i needed to replace the cold water line coming in to the house! So much cursing ensued and a trip to the hardware store to repair the cuts i had just made.
A few modifications to the pipe that i had created and it was able to fit on the other line. I just about had the entire setup reassembled and was showing it off to Amy when i realized that the “mistake” from earlier was actually not one. I had changed the hot water line after all. Since Amy was there i managed not to destroy anything. I didn’t throw anything either. I made another trip to the hardware store (at least the 5th for this particular project) buying another complete set of T’s, valves, pipe, and pieces, got home at 7 and managed to complete the entire assembly and installation in 3 hours.
I have a good slice in the palm of my hand and dropped some molten solder onto my hand, if i had my wits about me i would have left the cooled metal on my hand and taken a picture for here - but the pain was unbearable and i wasn’t done with the joint so i tore it off (along with the next few dozen layers of skin).
Helen on 
Cena on 
Tiffany on 
June 11th, 2004 at 6:55 pm
All my various home projects are accompanied with thoughtful combinations of vulgar words sown together to form, what some describe as a new language. My wife, acting as an interpreter, makes sure that children and small animals are kept at a safe distance.
I also bleed in proportion to the complexity and duration of the job. Then I complete
each project with the willful destruction of some unrelated inanimate object that just happens to catch my attention. (I convinced myself this is just a small sacrifice to the pluming gods - and that usually calms me down).
Usually about 24 hours later, people begin to resume their normal lives.
June 11th, 2004 at 11:37 pm
Black-and-Decker Finger Wrecker.
June 12th, 2004 at 4:15 am
The hubby has worked on the sewer system the last three weekends. I got the blame first that I didn’t know the “proper useage of the disposal”. Then “the kids must’ve put a toy” in the toilet. The final weekend the kids and I were out and about and the shit hit the fan. Literally. We finally figured out that the driveway next door hat settled and pinched the sewer pipe. But I probably was to blame for that, too. Home projects suck.
June 12th, 2004 at 9:30 am
Wont need the Neosporin with PVC.
June 24th, 2004 at 3:03 am
i think i just wet myself….
please, leave the molten metals and body parts to the ‘professionals’. it usually takes me a few min to realize when i’ve melted something to my hands. i could put my hands on a hot stove and have 1/2 a beer before i realized.
i own the best burn jel.