I thought I'd get a lot of cleaning done today.  It was snowing outside.  I was hunkering down with my cat.  Finally I went down into my basement to throw some things in the washer.  My basment is unfinished except fo the bathroom down there.  I heard this drip drip drip.  A valve on a copper pipe was leaking.  A cold water line going upstairs.  Great, I thought.  So I got my tools out thinking I could tighten the valve and end the leak.  It became clear that the valve was broken, and water started to spray out instead of drip.  So I turned off the hot water tank and then the water coming into the house. Then the toilet wouldn't flush.  So I head out to Home Depot.
My plan was to remove the valve and then splice a new section of copper in.  I don't do this all the time but I have fixed copper pipes before.  On my way to the store I planned my repair.  I'll forget about installing a new valve.  Too complicated.  The less valves you have the better in my view.  So I bought a small section of copper pipe that was the right diameter I bought a propane torch with flux and solder.  And also some joints.  I did have a hack saw.  I stopped at Carl's Junior and got a couple of straws, as I had to remove water from the lower section of the vertical run.
So I got home and cut out the old section and cut a piece to fit and then sweated it into place.  It really wasn't that bad.  But you do have to know what to do.   It did cost me $25 for all the stuff I bought.  But I needed a torch anyway, and that was most of the cost.  If it happens again I'll be ready.
I've added a couple of links to blogs I like on my side bar.  I didn't ask either one of them if I could link to them so I hope they don't mind.
Grew Up Rural has been a faithful reader and has been with me for a long time.  There is good adivse about the holiday season on her blog.
Grew Up Rural
Veronica Khokhlova writes the first blog that I ever read. She is the reason I started a blog.  It's been a good thing for me.  Veronica is also one of the most talented photographers I've ever seen.  Her photos truly rise above.   Plus she is a true journalist out of Ukraine and Russia. Check her out at Neeka's Backlog and Global Voices.
Neeka's Backlog
Global Voices
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4 comments:
He bikes, writes, AND does home improvement!
I'm impressed.
Carl's Junior was my favorite place to get cheeseburgers (when I could eat them, I can't even finish one now).
Not sure you can call what I do writing.
Not too many fast food choices here. Thankfully there is Taco Bell and a regional Taco Time. There is nothing on the McDonalds menu I will eat.
I don't mind at all.
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