Soooo.... - Page 660

Ghoulish Delight · 02-20-2007, 10:40 AM

DreadPirateRoberts cost me $250.

At a house warming party, if memory serves, he pointed at the main water cutoff valve and asked if I'd tested it. Seemed like a good idea, figured I'd get around to doing that eventually.

Well, flash forward to yesterday. Attached to the same pipe as the cutoff valve is a spigot for a hose. It leaks, so I planned to replace it, should be simple enough. I pick up a replacement at Home Depot, and begin my test of the water cutoff valve.

No problem, it does exactly what it's supposed to do and cuts off the water. Unfortunately, the old spigot wouldn't budge. I gave that thing all I had, went at it with a mallet and a pipe wrench. Didn't wiggle a centimeter. So I eventually gave up, resolving to eventually have a pro come out and deal with it.

And that's when I learned a valuable lesson in homeownership...don't go messing with utility lines after 6PM on a holiday.

Sure, the cutoff valve shut the water off no problem. Once I'd given up on replacing the spigot, I go to turn it back on. I turned the handle on the valve. And turned it. And turned it. And turned it...oh crap. Clearly DPR cursed me.

Seems the valve froze in the closed position and the handle snapped off and was spinning freely. Damn, hell, crap, hell damn. I mean, as failures go, that was certainly better than the alternate scenario of, "Something is gushing water and the valve busted in the open position," but still. Had to call a plumber out (who took 2.5 hours to show up). And of course it was no simple job, this being the 30 year old valve for the main supply, and right next to a wall forcing him to have to cut the pipe and solder in a new valve rather than just do a simple replacement.

And the real kicker...I asked if, while he was working on it anyway, the plumber might try to replace the spigot. He took one look at the old one and said, "You couldn't get it off because it's not threaded, it's soldered on."

Alex · 02-20-2007, 10:49 AM

I think the cardinal rule of home ownership is "If the house hasn't fallen down it is good enough and we'll probably move before it does."

DreadPirateRoberts · 02-20-2007, 10:49 AM

Uh oh. I still maintain it was better to find out now, as opposed to when the upstairs toilet hose explodes and starts flooding your house, and you discover the shutoff handle comes off in your hand with the valve still in the open position.

I will strive to repay my debt. The next time you find me at DL, the churros are on me...

blueerica · 02-20-2007, 10:53 AM

I feel a bit sick today.

This is not good. I have a lot I need to try and accomplish.

DreadPirateRoberts · 02-20-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

I think the cardinal rule of home ownership is "If the house hasn't fallen down it is good enough and we'll probably move before it does."

I think that's also called the Pressler approach.

katiesue · 02-20-2007, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Me got 'em job.
Me heap glad.

Hurrah for you!

Not Afraid · 02-20-2007, 02:20 PM

My days are so strangely timed. I sseem to do thing in an order that I just can't get used to. i wake up, drink coffee - all normal - then I go to work - THEN i take a shower and get presentable. After that, I work some more. I suppose i could get up really early and take a shower first, but the dogs aren't going to care of I'm clean and my hair isn't a mess. It just makes me feel a bit off. But, then, I AM a bit off, so what's the big deal.

BarTopDancer · 02-20-2007, 02:23 PM

We just found out our jobs may be outsourced. Boss is making a case to keep us all here but in the end he has no say. /sigh

Snowflake · 02-20-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

We just found out our jobs may be outsourced. Boss is making a case to keep us all here but in the end he has no say. /sigh

Oh that is major suckage.

I hope your boss is persuasive BTD.

blueerica · 02-20-2007, 03:01 PM

What is it with me finding funny stuff to distract me all day.

http://internetzillionaire.com/

Looks like I'll be procrastinating for a while

02-20-2007, 10:40 AM	#6591
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	DreadPirateRoberts cost me $250. At a house warming party, if memory serves, he pointed at the main water cutoff valve and asked if I'd tested it. Seemed like a good idea, figured I'd get around to doing that eventually. Well, flash forward to yesterday. Attached to the same pipe as the cutoff valve is a spigot for a hose. It leaks, so I planned to replace it, should be simple enough. I pick up a replacement at Home Depot, and begin my test of the water cutoff valve. No problem, it does exactly what it's supposed to do and cuts off the water. Unfortunately, the old spigot wouldn't budge. I gave that thing all I had, went at it with a mallet and a pipe wrench. Didn't wiggle a centimeter. So I eventually gave up, resolving to eventually have a pro come out and deal with it. And that's when I learned a valuable lesson in homeownership...don't go messing with utility lines after 6PM on a holiday. Sure, the cutoff valve shut the water off no problem. Once I'd given up on replacing the spigot, I go to turn it back on. I turned the handle on the valve. And turned it. And turned it. And turned it...oh crap. Clearly DPR cursed me. Seems the valve froze in the closed position and the handle snapped off and was spinning freely. Damn, hell, crap, hell damn. I mean, as failures go, that was certainly better than the alternate scenario of, "Something is gushing water and the valve busted in the open position," but still. Had to call a plumber out (who took 2.5 hours to show up). And of course it was no simple job, this being the 30 year old valve for the main supply, and right next to a wall forcing him to have to cut the pipe and solder in a new valve rather than just do a simple replacement. And the real kicker...I asked if, while he was working on it anyway, the plumber might try to replace the spigot. He took one look at the old one and said, "You couldn't get it off because it's not threaded, it's soldered on." __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

02-20-2007, 10:49 AM	#6592
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I think the cardinal rule of home ownership is "If the house hasn't fallen down it is good enough and we'll probably move before it does."
	Submit to Quotes

02-20-2007, 10:49 AM	#6593
DreadPirateRoberts Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,483	Uh oh. I still maintain it was better to find out now, as opposed to when the upstairs toilet hose explodes and starts flooding your house, and you discover the shutoff handle comes off in your hand with the valve still in the open position. I will strive to repay my debt. The next time you find me at DL, the churros are on me...
	Submit to Quotes

02-20-2007, 10:53 AM	#6594
blueerica Nueve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,497	I feel a bit sick today. This is not good. I have a lot I need to try and accomplish. __________________ Tomorrow is the day for you and me
	Submit to Quotes

02-20-2007, 02:20 PM	#6597
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	My days are so strangely timed. I sseem to do thing in an order that I just can't get used to. i wake up, drink coffee - all normal - then I go to work - THEN i take a shower and get presentable. After that, I work some more. I suppose i could get up really early and take a shower first, but the dogs aren't going to care of I'm clean and my hair isn't a mess. It just makes me feel a bit off. But, then, I AM a bit off, so what's the big deal.
	Submit to Quotes

02-20-2007, 02:23 PM	#6598
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	We just found out our jobs may be outsourced. Boss is making a case to keep us all here but in the end he has no say. /sigh __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
	Submit to Quotes

02-20-2007, 03:01 PM	#6600
blueerica Nueve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,497	What is it with me finding funny stuff to distract me all day. http://internetzillionaire.com/ Looks like I'll be procrastinating for a while __________________ Tomorrow is the day for you and me
	Submit to Quotes