Have I ever mentioned that I hate plumbing? I mean, really, really HATE plumbing? I do. I detest it. I'd rather be sodomized by a syphlytic goat than do plumbing, generally.
So why am I writing about plumbing? Because I replaced it. All of it. In two days. I'm exhausted, I ache all over, and the basement has water everywhere and smells like an old dog wearing a soggy Depends®. So, this will be all of the writing for me. Pictures are below, and I'm gonna take a shower and go to bed.
There's 25% of my plumbing. The evil pipe from hell is on the right.
That looks like new plumbing mixed in with the assorted crap, doesn't it? It is. I've discovered that not only do I hate CPVC, but I suck at installing it. I'm fine with PVC, but CPVC kicked my ass.
Here's some more of that crap from the basement...
Some of the new PVC cold water line. Yes, I'm sloppy with the purple primer.
Here's the new hot water stuff. I really, really, really love Pex.]
More Pex, and that's the end of the plumbing.
A few days ago I moved all of the lumber scattered about on the lawn and put it against the garage wall. There are also two old cast iron sinks there. You can have them if'n ya want them.
And just for fun, here's a pic of the house across the street (yes, it's night time at the moment). This one has been visited by the Plastic Faerie, but at least they kept the old window trim, covering it with white aluminum. Too many people install new plastic windows and plastic siding, making no concession for window or door trim. The results are always horrific. Lloyd kept the trim, and it makes his (apartment) house look much better than most Plastified houses.
Comments to date: 5. This is page 1 of 1.
Jamie B Tuscaloosa, AL
Posted at 8:16pm on Monday, May 7th, 2007
I also hate plumbing. At least I have a supply house not far from my house for when I get into a jam. I had a cast iron kitchen sink in my back yard forever. Finally took it to the scrap yard. I nearly broke my back loading it onto the truck. For all that I got forty one cents for the scrap value! I should have just stuck it to the curb....things always disappear quickly that way...
Melitta Somerville
Posted at 1:37pm on Monday, May 7th, 2007
I recycled my cast iron sinks. There's a metal recycling place nearby that paid me for them! It's great. Try the yellow pages to find some place near you. Some of them pick up stuff for a small price or you can drop off.
Rebecca Fitzgerald Charlottesville, VA
Posted at 10:33am on Monday, May 7th, 2007
Larry, you've done fantastic work since I last checked in. Please don't be offended, however, if I say that Sian's work is a lot more interesting to look at than yours! This is from a woman's perspective mind you. She's really added a lot to the make the house a home and I love her choice of colors. Yes, I'm saying HER choice. We all know, don't we Sian? You both are an inspiration. I need to get my butt in gear and finish up the tiny crap hanging over my head at our new house. Take care y'all!
Larry Old House Gazette
Posted at 6:13am on Monday, May 7th, 2007
For the 2 days that I worked on it, I think I averaged 5 trips to Headley's. There was also a panicked trip to Wal-Mart after everything else had closed. The valves I installed in the kitchen have the extra port on the back for a dishwasher. I capped them off for now. Unfortunately, the caps didn't have any kind of seal, so there was a nice drip coming from each.
The guy who did the "aluminum wrapping" on Lloyd's house had to be around 80. He also did the same to Dave's house down the street a bit. I'll have to take another picture of Dave's house for y'all. It's amazing what a difference some *real* trim on a house makes.
Patricia W. Jackson,Michigan
Posted at 5:19am on Monday, May 7th, 2007
I hate plumbing too. It seems no matter what I do I end up making fifteen different trips to Home Depot, Lowe's and Cut-Rate Plumbing Supply. You know it's a racket when there could be plumbing parts/pieces that would make so many jobs easier but they don't exist because it creates job security for the Master Plumbers.
Jackson has many old homes covered with aluminum siding and most of it looks fantastic. Aluminum got a bad rap by many who said it dents, etc. The aluminum on these houses has been on them for 50+ years and it still looks neat. PVC, after just a few seasons chips, cracks and becomes very brittle. You're right, your neighbor leaving the trim around the windows keeps it looking pretty good.
