Some good progress today
With the carpet layers out of the way, I was able to finish up some stuff inside. I admit its nice to be able to walk through the garage, but hauling off trash doesn't seem like progress.
With another bag of parts from Home Depot, I was able to get the kitchen sink back to working, got both lavatories up and running, and got one toilet back in operation. The other one continues to be a pain. Its in the basement, and should bolt right into the concrete. But, of course, the closet flange was broken and loose. I attempted to use various anchors and Tapcon screws to get a good grip, but it appears this isn't the first time this beast has been loose. Tomorrow I'll drag out the big hammer drill and see if I can get it locked down.
On a better note, I did get a hose bib replaced. I'd been dreading this. Its one of those frostless ones. It did its job, but at some point, it looks like they had left a hose hooked up and full of water, and it had split outside the valve seat. It was fine when off, but turn it on and water comes pouring through the wall into the utility room. Simple enough to replace, if you can get to it. Not only was it behind the wall, but over another wall. So, it wasn't just a matter of cutting a hole in the sheetrock, replacing the faucet, then patching the hole. A bit of luck was the it was accessible by removing the bath fan. But then what? Well, shark bites to the rescue. This is the second time I've used these in a tight spot. Worked like a charm. I was able to get the old faucet cut loose, then put the new one in with a shark bite. I never cease to be amazed that these slip in so easily, but then actually hold water.
Also got most of the new mini-blinds up. And several troublesome window locks fixed.
The downside to the carpet layers being done is that the end of the help. Just little stuff to do, but still, if I don't do it, it doesn't get done. Oh well. Only a three items of any significance left. That's getting the cabinets refinished, installing the backsplash, and putting in trim where it was removed for the tile.
I've had several calls on the place, and a few people have stopped in. So far nobody has signed up, but the funnel is filling.
With another bag of parts from Home Depot, I was able to get the kitchen sink back to working, got both lavatories up and running, and got one toilet back in operation. The other one continues to be a pain. Its in the basement, and should bolt right into the concrete. But, of course, the closet flange was broken and loose. I attempted to use various anchors and Tapcon screws to get a good grip, but it appears this isn't the first time this beast has been loose. Tomorrow I'll drag out the big hammer drill and see if I can get it locked down.
On a better note, I did get a hose bib replaced. I'd been dreading this. Its one of those frostless ones. It did its job, but at some point, it looks like they had left a hose hooked up and full of water, and it had split outside the valve seat. It was fine when off, but turn it on and water comes pouring through the wall into the utility room. Simple enough to replace, if you can get to it. Not only was it behind the wall, but over another wall. So, it wasn't just a matter of cutting a hole in the sheetrock, replacing the faucet, then patching the hole. A bit of luck was the it was accessible by removing the bath fan. But then what? Well, shark bites to the rescue. This is the second time I've used these in a tight spot. Worked like a charm. I was able to get the old faucet cut loose, then put the new one in with a shark bite. I never cease to be amazed that these slip in so easily, but then actually hold water.
Also got most of the new mini-blinds up. And several troublesome window locks fixed.
The downside to the carpet layers being done is that the end of the help. Just little stuff to do, but still, if I don't do it, it doesn't get done. Oh well. Only a three items of any significance left. That's getting the cabinets refinished, installing the backsplash, and putting in trim where it was removed for the tile.
I've had several calls on the place, and a few people have stopped in. So far nobody has signed up, but the funnel is filling.
Comments (2)
Shark bite plumbing connectors. http://www.sharkbite.com/ They work on pex, copper and CPVC. They just slip right on and some how form a seal. They're expensive, about $6-8 apiece for 1/2 inch connectors. But in a tight spot, they're astounding.
Jon Holdman, almost 15 years ago
Hey Jon - What's a shark bite?
Joshua Dorkin, almost 15 years ago