Well, you know the joy of getting a little do-it-yourself project done! Well, three days my wife said, the kitchen faucet is leaking! (you know plumbing and auto problems cure any issues in communication) Well, I pride myself in my abilities to fix minor problems. I have clear plastic containers in the garage labeled, Plumbing, electrical, measuring, etc. I looked at the faucet and said, that has to be the valve inside the faucet. So I turned off the cut off valves and noticed that these looked like the original valves from 1960 when the house was built. So I pulled out the valve and went to the local Home Improvement center, they didnt have a valve for a Price Pfister faucet so I went to another center and found the part. Came home and replaced the part. Well, it still leaked, only this time it was worse. I will have to confess now that my eyesight has been declining the last few years, I keep two magnifying glasses handy for reading the fine print in the paper. I examined the faucet more closely and saw that the leak was coming from the stem so the entire faucet needed to be replaced. So, back to the home improvement center but this time I took my wife so she couldnt say why did you pick out that style of fixture? Ok, So I began to remove the old faucet, the retainer clip on the old one has sorta rusted and frozen and I had to beat the devil out of it. During this process, I hit one of the drain pipes and it broke. I also hit my nose and head during the process and now am slightly bleeding in two spots. It took a while but I finally got it out! Now, I put in the new faucet and discovered that the old copper water connections were not long enough to attach to the new faucet. Well, the old copper tubing would have to be replaced and as I saw the old cut offs, I decided to replace them too! So back to the home center and I bought new compression fittings and of course I was smart enough to measure from the new faucet connection to where the new fittings would be so I would know how long the new water lines would have to be. Ok , got back to the house and went out and turned off the water to the house. Realized that my pipe cutter was too big because the copper inlet pipes were too close to the wall, I know I have one of those small ones but I think my wife hid it on purpose! So back to the center to buy a small pipe cutter! I also bought a new drain pipe that connect one side of the sink to the disposal. Ok, now back home. Cut off old connections, install new cut off valves, attach new water lines from the new faucet to the new connections! Slowly turn on water and no leaks. So I begin to replace the broken drain pipe. Connect one end and when I try to connect the other end that connection breaks! I swear, these drain pipes are so flimsy they must make these parts out of gnats and eyelashes! Ok, back to the home center. By this time customers are starting to ask me questions thinking I work there! But this time I was smart, also bought a few extra washers and stuff. Well, got back to the house, replace the parts turned on the water and it all appeared to be working, for a minute, then I noticed a small drip coming from the J trap. I touched it and it disintegrated. I was working real hard to keep my composure and thought, I bet I have one of these in my plumbing tub in the garage. I sure enough I found an old one and it fit! Put it on and then found a lead in the last little extension that goes into the wall. It all works but for that little drip. I put a baking dish to catch the little drip until I can make it back to the home center. Well, here I am on the fourth day, waiting to gather myself to go to the home center again. Wife has left for the day. All I have to say that if you have taken the time to read this, you have saved me the cost of paying for a therapist. Catharsis is good for the soul! But, I am thinking of how much I have saved for not paying a plumber. However, I wonder if I should get my tires rotated from all the travel!
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 15:11:02 +0000
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