- Jul 17, 2005
- 20
- 10
BUTCHâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]S PLUMBING ADVENTURE
( The Bathroom Remodel Part II )
This new adventure into the realm of my ongoing bathroom remodel actually began last Saturday evening, Feb 17.
While being snow bound from the storm that closed the Interstate for 3 days Rose and I were relaxing watching movies.
My lovely wifeâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s Keen sense of hearing detected the subtle sound of dripping water over the volume of the movie. Her chilling words of “We Have a Leak!†started me on an anxiety attack.
I asked her “Where do we have a leak?â€
She pointed to the living room ceiling, 4†from the molding and said “Right There!†I confidently told her that the roof couldnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t be leaking there because there was a bedroom or bathroom above us. As soon as the word ‘bathroomâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji] exited my lips, my anxiety attack went into a full blown panic attack.
I quickly motivated myself to our 2nd floor bathroom. I found the water trickling in the bathroom sink (to keep the water from freezing) and the cold water faucet stem slightly leaking. Upon further investigation I determined that the leaky stem wasnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t leaking onto the floor but the floor was wet in the area where the drain pipe entered the floor.
A little background regarding my bathroom…
Our bathroom was last remodeled in very 1970â€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s modern… I painted over the Avocado Green marlite and put a parquet floor over the Avocado Green and Yellow tile with a black tile molding. The sink was hanging on the wall and supported with 2 chrome legs with towel racks on the sides. The drain pipe assembly went from the trap to the floor where it was attached to the drain pipe into the floor with a 4†piece of hose kept in place with hose clamps…AKA
“Jury Riggedâ€.
I found where my leak problem was. It seems that the 2†piece of drain pipe sticking up from the floor was rotted under the hose. Upon further investigation I determined that the pipe was rotted Flush with the floor. I realized that a quick and easy solution to my bathroom problem was nothing but a fond wish.
Since the leak was close to the wall separating the middle room and my kitchen I attempted to access the plumbing thru the kitchen drop ceiling.
I found another pleasant surprise was in store for me.
While attempting to get to the bathroom plumbing I found that there were not 1 but 2 separate block ceilings in place above the drop ceiling. Both block ceilings were framed with 1â€x3â€s.
Needless to say access to the rotted drain pipe was not going to be quick OR easy OR thru the kitchen ceiling. Since by this time it was almost midnight I figured that the situation was not getting addressed till Sunday when Home Depot opened. I declared the Bathroom sink was closed till further notice and my loving wife and I finished watching the movie.
You must understand that I was NOT able to leisurely watch the rest of the movie in peace. I had to field numerous questions from my Loving Life Partner regarding HOW was I going to fix the bathroom situation.
After listening to her many ideas and suggestions into how I should fix the problem; I explained that with my vast experience in plumbing matters (Butchâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s Plumbing Knowledge= ZERO) and Home Depotâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s Vast Array of plumbing parts, pipes, Teflon tape, gizmos, Duct Tape and Epoxy glue; I would have the matter well in hand and everything would be fine.
The only plumbing tools I possessed at this time consisted of one (1) pair of Channel Lock Pliers and one (1) used roll of Teflon Tape (Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m not sure Where the Teflon tape is BUT I know I got some somewhere).
Rose believed me and let me watch the rest of the movie in peace. I contemplated reminding my wife of that part of the marriage vows that stated something about “Sticking Together during Good Times and Badâ€. I decided not to bring it up.
Sunday, Feb. 18 was a bright, sunny, crisp, cold day. After a quick cup of java I headed off to Home Depot; full of confidence, energy, and a naïve belief that I could fix this problem quickly and easily. I was also armed with my never used Home Depot card with a 3k limit. My Loving Life Partner Rose accompanied me to my newest, favorite place.
I explained to her that I felt it was time to replace the bathroom sink with a vanity setup we previously looked at and I felt that we would buy the stuff for the new vanity today and install it next weekend. I also told her Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d get the stuff to fix the drain pipe and fix that problem.
Confidence Was High.
I went to the plumbing section of HD and inquired of the HD plumbing person as to how could I fix my rotted drain pipe problem Without Ripping up the bathroom floor. After some discussion and some trying of different plumbing parts A 12†long 1 ¼†plastic pipe which reduced to the inside diameter of the 1 ¼†pipe still in the floor was purchased along with a new hose connector complete with hose clamps. Rose and I then went for the vanity setup. I got the vanity setup onto the cart and asked my loving wife Rose to pick out which faucet fixtures sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d like for the new sink.
Rose perused the many different styles of faucet fixtures at Home Depot and pointed out a very stunning bathroom faucet fixture that she felt she wanted.
It was beautiful; it was a MOEN brand and the price of it was almost equal to the gross national product output of Canada.
I vetoed her choice while pointing out to her that I paid less for my work car and Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d like her to choose something priced less than I paid for the vanity set up.
Her second choice was very functional, stylish and priced well within my budget.
We went thru the check out, I swiped my card, signed the slip and headed home still imbibed with the confidence of the up coming Simple drain pipe fix.
Ignorance Is Bliss!
We arrived home and I unloaded everything into the front room. Up to the bathroom I went armed with the stuff to fix my drain pipe.
I stick the 12†plastic pipe into the drain pipe, it is a Snug fit…I stop and run down to the basement for my rubber mallet to tap it down…I walk back up the 2 flights of steps with the mallet and Carefully tap the pipe into the drainpipe. I attempt to fit the gooseneck pipe to the new piece I inserted into the rotten drain pipe and I realize that the 12†plastic pipe I bought is about 5†too long. I attempt to Un snug the plastic pipe and I find that snugging the pipe in is Much easier than UN SNUGGING it. After a few choice words, a quickly offered prayer to the Plumbing Gods and some maneuvering with the channel locks I got the pipe free. I Eyeball the amount needed to be cut off (I used my Good eye) and ran down the 2 flights of steps to the basement where I cut off the excess with my scroll saw and walked back up the steps to the bathroom and again snugged the pipe into place.
As I again attempted to fit the gooseneck pipe into place I realized that I cut off a little too much and the trap wasnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t going to fit.
At this point I must admit that I did take the Son of Godâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s name in vain and I roundly cursed the Plumbing gods as I heard them laughing their *** off.
I then headed back to Home Depot for a replacement pipe.
I purchased the pipe and went thru the same check out as I did before. The girl recognized me and inquired why I was back again. I cheerfully relayed to her the story of my stupidity.
Back home I go with a shorter piece of the pipe I needed. Up to the bathroom and again I snug the pipe in place. I attach the gooseneck pipe with the hose connector, tighten the hose clamps and start attaching the trap to complete the project. I got the trap screwed on and let the water fly!
The trap was leaking where it screwed onto the gooseneck pipe. I grabbed my channel locks and tightened the fitting.
As I was tightening the fitting I heard a discernable cracking sound and water flowed onto the floor.
At this point the words exiting my mouth were assuring my place in Hell if I were to die shortly. My loving Life Partner asked what happened. I answered that I broke the trap and had to return to Home Depot.
Rose sweetly asked me if I tightened something too much. I glared at her, shook my head yes and contemplated what the penalty was for assaulting your wife with a broken plumbing trap was.
Hastily back to HD I go since it was close to 6pm and I figured they were closing soon. I made it, ran in, got the new trap and went to the same check out as before…the girl looked at me and before she could open her mouth I said “Donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t Ask!â€
I arrived home, ignored my smiling wife and CAREFULLY realigned the gooseneck pipe and attached the trap after using the Teflon tape I found…I offered up a prayer of forgiveness and turned on the water. It didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t leak!!!
I was SO looking forward to the upcoming new sink installment that I was getting sick in the stomach.
I contemplated paying a plumber to do it.
Part II in next thread...
( The Bathroom Remodel Part II )
This new adventure into the realm of my ongoing bathroom remodel actually began last Saturday evening, Feb 17.
While being snow bound from the storm that closed the Interstate for 3 days Rose and I were relaxing watching movies.
My lovely wifeâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s Keen sense of hearing detected the subtle sound of dripping water over the volume of the movie. Her chilling words of “We Have a Leak!†started me on an anxiety attack.
I asked her “Where do we have a leak?â€
She pointed to the living room ceiling, 4†from the molding and said “Right There!†I confidently told her that the roof couldnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t be leaking there because there was a bedroom or bathroom above us. As soon as the word ‘bathroomâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji] exited my lips, my anxiety attack went into a full blown panic attack.
I quickly motivated myself to our 2nd floor bathroom. I found the water trickling in the bathroom sink (to keep the water from freezing) and the cold water faucet stem slightly leaking. Upon further investigation I determined that the leaky stem wasnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t leaking onto the floor but the floor was wet in the area where the drain pipe entered the floor.
A little background regarding my bathroom…
Our bathroom was last remodeled in very 1970â€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s modern… I painted over the Avocado Green marlite and put a parquet floor over the Avocado Green and Yellow tile with a black tile molding. The sink was hanging on the wall and supported with 2 chrome legs with towel racks on the sides. The drain pipe assembly went from the trap to the floor where it was attached to the drain pipe into the floor with a 4†piece of hose kept in place with hose clamps…AKA
“Jury Riggedâ€.
I found where my leak problem was. It seems that the 2†piece of drain pipe sticking up from the floor was rotted under the hose. Upon further investigation I determined that the pipe was rotted Flush with the floor. I realized that a quick and easy solution to my bathroom problem was nothing but a fond wish.
Since the leak was close to the wall separating the middle room and my kitchen I attempted to access the plumbing thru the kitchen drop ceiling.
I found another pleasant surprise was in store for me.
While attempting to get to the bathroom plumbing I found that there were not 1 but 2 separate block ceilings in place above the drop ceiling. Both block ceilings were framed with 1â€x3â€s.
Needless to say access to the rotted drain pipe was not going to be quick OR easy OR thru the kitchen ceiling. Since by this time it was almost midnight I figured that the situation was not getting addressed till Sunday when Home Depot opened. I declared the Bathroom sink was closed till further notice and my loving wife and I finished watching the movie.
You must understand that I was NOT able to leisurely watch the rest of the movie in peace. I had to field numerous questions from my Loving Life Partner regarding HOW was I going to fix the bathroom situation.
After listening to her many ideas and suggestions into how I should fix the problem; I explained that with my vast experience in plumbing matters (Butchâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s Plumbing Knowledge= ZERO) and Home Depotâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s Vast Array of plumbing parts, pipes, Teflon tape, gizmos, Duct Tape and Epoxy glue; I would have the matter well in hand and everything would be fine.
The only plumbing tools I possessed at this time consisted of one (1) pair of Channel Lock Pliers and one (1) used roll of Teflon Tape (Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m not sure Where the Teflon tape is BUT I know I got some somewhere).
Rose believed me and let me watch the rest of the movie in peace. I contemplated reminding my wife of that part of the marriage vows that stated something about “Sticking Together during Good Times and Badâ€. I decided not to bring it up.
Sunday, Feb. 18 was a bright, sunny, crisp, cold day. After a quick cup of java I headed off to Home Depot; full of confidence, energy, and a naïve belief that I could fix this problem quickly and easily. I was also armed with my never used Home Depot card with a 3k limit. My Loving Life Partner Rose accompanied me to my newest, favorite place.
I explained to her that I felt it was time to replace the bathroom sink with a vanity setup we previously looked at and I felt that we would buy the stuff for the new vanity today and install it next weekend. I also told her Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d get the stuff to fix the drain pipe and fix that problem.
Confidence Was High.
I went to the plumbing section of HD and inquired of the HD plumbing person as to how could I fix my rotted drain pipe problem Without Ripping up the bathroom floor. After some discussion and some trying of different plumbing parts A 12†long 1 ¼†plastic pipe which reduced to the inside diameter of the 1 ¼†pipe still in the floor was purchased along with a new hose connector complete with hose clamps. Rose and I then went for the vanity setup. I got the vanity setup onto the cart and asked my loving wife Rose to pick out which faucet fixtures sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d like for the new sink.
Rose perused the many different styles of faucet fixtures at Home Depot and pointed out a very stunning bathroom faucet fixture that she felt she wanted.
It was beautiful; it was a MOEN brand and the price of it was almost equal to the gross national product output of Canada.
I vetoed her choice while pointing out to her that I paid less for my work car and Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d like her to choose something priced less than I paid for the vanity set up.
Her second choice was very functional, stylish and priced well within my budget.
We went thru the check out, I swiped my card, signed the slip and headed home still imbibed with the confidence of the up coming Simple drain pipe fix.
Ignorance Is Bliss!
We arrived home and I unloaded everything into the front room. Up to the bathroom I went armed with the stuff to fix my drain pipe.
I stick the 12†plastic pipe into the drain pipe, it is a Snug fit…I stop and run down to the basement for my rubber mallet to tap it down…I walk back up the 2 flights of steps with the mallet and Carefully tap the pipe into the drainpipe. I attempt to fit the gooseneck pipe to the new piece I inserted into the rotten drain pipe and I realize that the 12†plastic pipe I bought is about 5†too long. I attempt to Un snug the plastic pipe and I find that snugging the pipe in is Much easier than UN SNUGGING it. After a few choice words, a quickly offered prayer to the Plumbing Gods and some maneuvering with the channel locks I got the pipe free. I Eyeball the amount needed to be cut off (I used my Good eye) and ran down the 2 flights of steps to the basement where I cut off the excess with my scroll saw and walked back up the steps to the bathroom and again snugged the pipe into place.
As I again attempted to fit the gooseneck pipe into place I realized that I cut off a little too much and the trap wasnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t going to fit.
At this point I must admit that I did take the Son of Godâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s name in vain and I roundly cursed the Plumbing gods as I heard them laughing their *** off.
I then headed back to Home Depot for a replacement pipe.
I purchased the pipe and went thru the same check out as I did before. The girl recognized me and inquired why I was back again. I cheerfully relayed to her the story of my stupidity.
Back home I go with a shorter piece of the pipe I needed. Up to the bathroom and again I snug the pipe in place. I attach the gooseneck pipe with the hose connector, tighten the hose clamps and start attaching the trap to complete the project. I got the trap screwed on and let the water fly!
The trap was leaking where it screwed onto the gooseneck pipe. I grabbed my channel locks and tightened the fitting.
As I was tightening the fitting I heard a discernable cracking sound and water flowed onto the floor.
At this point the words exiting my mouth were assuring my place in Hell if I were to die shortly. My loving Life Partner asked what happened. I answered that I broke the trap and had to return to Home Depot.
Rose sweetly asked me if I tightened something too much. I glared at her, shook my head yes and contemplated what the penalty was for assaulting your wife with a broken plumbing trap was.
Hastily back to HD I go since it was close to 6pm and I figured they were closing soon. I made it, ran in, got the new trap and went to the same check out as before…the girl looked at me and before she could open her mouth I said “Donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t Ask!â€
I arrived home, ignored my smiling wife and CAREFULLY realigned the gooseneck pipe and attached the trap after using the Teflon tape I found…I offered up a prayer of forgiveness and turned on the water. It didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t leak!!!
I was SO looking forward to the upcoming new sink installment that I was getting sick in the stomach.
I contemplated paying a plumber to do it.
Part II in next thread...
