My Kingdom for a Plumber
Question for all you do-it-yourselfers: Have you ever had a weekend where everything goes wrong? This weekend I had *nothing* on my schedule. Very different from previous weekends, where I was re-doing family room with bookcases, new fireplace surround, etc. So around 9:30 a.m. my middle daughter says there's a bad leak in the shower. No problem: I go to the plumbing supply 2 blocks away -- and voila! they have the part. Then disaster hits: I can't get the old shower cartridge out. So have to shut the water off all weekend.
When one project doesn't work out, I strike out in another direction. So lit the fireplace up for the first time and discovered: no blower and no remote. Burned hand in process.
Finally, went outside to replace an outdoor socket. The screws shattered the shingle. My father will finish it up on Wednesday.
I should have a reality show. Anyone else ever have that kind of weekend?
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Re: My Kingdom for a Plumber
This is called a "typical Istanbul day."
Jun '10
Re: My Kingdom for a Plumber
Yup, it happens. I try to compensate by having a backup system for each of my public utilities. In addition, I maintain a healthy supply of construction materials, fixtures, and a well-stocked toolbox for emergency repairs. Boy scout motto and all that . . .
Re: My Kingdom for a Plumber
Paules,
I *have* most of the tools. And I understood what needed to be done. Just couldn't do it.
On the shower I blame the federal government, which I think has been pushing these single lever models, which 1) have expensive cartridges that need to be replaced and 2) are more complicated to fix than the old, separate hot and cold handles (which the government fears we cannot operate without scalding ourselves).
Jun '10
Re: My Kingdom for a Plumber
Bill McGurn: Paules,
I *have* most of the tools. And I understood what needed to be done. Just couldn't do it.
On the shower I blame the federal government, which I think has been pushing these single lever models, which 1) have expensive cartridges that need to be replaced and 2) are more complicated to fix than the old, separate hot and cold handles (which the government fears we cannot operate without scalding ourselves). · Nov 8 at 7:01am
Whoa there, big guy! Let's not turn our conservatism into a daily two minute hate against all things government. If it's broke, it can be fixed. If not now, later.
Jul '10
Re: My Kingdom for a Plumber
Five words that strike fear into my wife's heart:
"I can do it myself."
So in answer, yes, often with tragic results.
May '10
Re: My Kingdom for a Plumber
It could be worse. When we were building a deck, my uncle recreated that classic cartoon moment where the character steps on one side of a board that has yet to be nailed down and gets whacked in the head by the other side. That same day, it was drizzling and he shocked himself by grabbing a wet drill. Then he hit his thumb with the hammer.
Sometimes, one of us has to suffer to keep others in good spirits.
May '10
Re: My Kingdom for a Plumber
Oh yes, that's quite typical for a weekend in my house.
I chose my Ricochet profile photo for that very reason. I'm trying to maintain calm even as water drips through my kitchen ceiling.
Houses, like civilizations, are either in a state of decline or a state of repair.
So, you've had no bath and suffer a burned hand, you're still in the fight, right?
Re: My Kingdom for a Plumber
Very frustrating. Now even more difficult to get the fireplace guy to return our calls.
Sep '10
Re: My Kingdom for a Plumber
My wife gets extremely irritated at me but I am loathe to commit to more than one project at a time around the house for exactly the reason that Bill mentions....if I run into a disastrous complication, then 2 things:
(1) How long till I can get a competent professional out?
(2) What's the downside if I can't get this fixed and we have to do without?
Murphy's law, I spread out the home repairs widely enough to avoid the Mother of All Weekends that Bill has run into.
Jul '10
Re: My Kingdom for a Plumber
Not a weekend, but...
In the past 4 weeks:
Dog smacks his head into my jaw breaking my tooth, resulting in - Root canal, resulting in- Parenthsia: left side of my tongue is numb, but feels like it is on fire.
1 car gets new tires.
HVAC goes out at the house - damage:$10 Large.
One car needs new electronic motor mounts (apparently the mounts for the Jetsons): $1500.
Rock goes through the windshield of my truck: deductible.
Transmission goes out in a car we will be getting rid of in February: $4K.
Brakes needed to be replaced in our "back up" car: Minor financial outlay.
Roof Leak: A paltry $1000.
And the kicker: have you seen the election results in California?
Oh, and I get a crown for the broken tooth on Friday!
May '10
Re: My Kingdom for a Plumber
Be glad you don't live in England, where so many faucets lack any kind of mix head. After 4 years there, my older daughter still considers any kind of US shower to be incalculably luxurious.
My best story was when a copper pipe in the basement developed a crack and started to leak water all over. It was Saturday, of course, so no outside help was available. Anyone who has ever sweat-soldered copper plumbing can confirm that one drop of water anywhere in the line will turn to steam and prevent a leak-proof joint. After using up about 3 propane torches and a pound of solder to achieve a still-dribbling pipe joint, I found an open "discount store" at 11:30 PM Saturday night that had the right diameter auto heater hose. Added two clamps; it was still fine when we sold the house two years later.
Sep '10
Re: My Kingdom for a Plumber
Yes--while changing the oil on my car, I neglected to confirm the gasket from the old filter was no longer on the engine before installing the new filter, resulting in a less than tight seal and oil spewed all over the interior of the engine compartment and the garage...
Aug '10
Re: My Kingdom for a Plumber
I have a fireplace. What's a blower? What's a remote?