Have I mentioned how much I hate plumbing?! Oh, but I so do.
I've been passive-aggressively dealing with the intermittently dripping kitchen faucet for longer than I care to admit. I even tried to trick myself into letting it drip into my watering can so that I wasn't *really* wasting water.
Earlier this week I decided to tackle the tool closet project, so I had a little sense of accomplishment thing going on. That plus deciding to participate in an exercise program with a few friends helped give me a boost to finally decide to deal with that damn drip once and for all.
Silly me, I thought the solution to all things faucet-drippy involved o-rings. I futilely bought two appropriately sized rings and replaced them... only to learn I needed to replace the springs and seats.
On a Saturday.
On a Saturday that is a gorgeous Spring day.
I somehow managed to brave the trip with a bizillionty other people who were getting their DIY on in the ATL.
I somehow scored princess parking.
I then somehow then managed to walk to the appropriate aisle, armed with the old part contained in a ziploc bag bearing replacement part info in black Sharpie, where a plumbing associate awaited me and showed me the exact item I needed.
I somehow remembered I'm due to replace the filter in my HVAC unit, and noticed the air filters along the back wall at the end of that particular plumbing aisle. I knew the dimensions I needed because it lives in my BlackBerry's DIY memo.
I somehow managed to get in a short checkout line and spent less than $15. That NEVER happens!
I somehow managed to avoid gorgeous Saturday in midtown ATL traffic while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine through my open sunroof and windows. Upon returning home, I immediately installed the new seats and springs, made sure everything functioned properly, and declared myself victorious.
I'm now pondering my housekeeping plan of attack, new adjustments I need to make to the bathroom vanity and tub faucets, rewiring a couple of lamps and reupholstering some chairs.
I'm sure I'll get around to those things eventually...
Showing posts with label dreaded plumbing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dreaded plumbing. Show all posts
18 October 2009
In which our heroine battles a leaky faucet
I sorta had to. The cold water at the faucet in the bathroom has been doing some bizarro stuff - not just dripping but spontaneously slowly running at random times and could only be stopped at the shut-off valve under the vanity. The work-around was a pain, but effectively motivational.
And the shower head had a slow drip. Last time Dad visited, he stopped the drip at the faucet in the tub. I've since noticed this leak while standing on the side of the tub to remove some tape gunk left behind from recent painting. I didn't even realize my head was under the shower head... until...
So, I educated myself. I have little to no interest in plumbing, so it wasn't by any means a fun adventure. And after helping hook up the gas stove and being near by during the frustrating bathroom sink plumbing experience, I actually dreaded it.
I HAD NO IDEA that to repair a leaky faucet, usually all you have to do is replace a washer (or o-ring, depending on the faucet style). Of course, getting to it and putting everything back together again isn't quite so simple (even for DIY inclined, tool lovin' chicks like me).
I also learned a handy trick for protecting finishes from your tools- wrap tape around your wrenches. Brilliant! Much easier to see what's going on than my old "throw a washcloth around the shiny stuff" method.
And today, well, I love the shiny teapot style faucet and my vanity with drawers a little less than I did before. BUT *today* the faucet isn't leaking.
I need to run out for the washer needed for the shower head that's been soaking in vinegar all night. It's totally worth it to clean all this stuff while it's dismantled- it's MUCH easier!
And productivity begets more productivity- I also braved the attic (sorta- I went halfway up and poked the boxes down with the mop) and am a few steps further along in getting the guest room whipped into shape. AND I came up with an idea for window treatments that will be FANTASTIC and relatively inexpensive since I have almost everything on hand. YAY!
It's nice in the midst of all this butchy sense of accomplishment to have silly little reminders that I am, indeed, a girl. :)
And the shower head had a slow drip. Last time Dad visited, he stopped the drip at the faucet in the tub. I've since noticed this leak while standing on the side of the tub to remove some tape gunk left behind from recent painting. I didn't even realize my head was under the shower head... until...
So, I educated myself. I have little to no interest in plumbing, so it wasn't by any means a fun adventure. And after helping hook up the gas stove and being near by during the frustrating bathroom sink plumbing experience, I actually dreaded it.
I HAD NO IDEA that to repair a leaky faucet, usually all you have to do is replace a washer (or o-ring, depending on the faucet style). Of course, getting to it and putting everything back together again isn't quite so simple (even for DIY inclined, tool lovin' chicks like me).
I also learned a handy trick for protecting finishes from your tools- wrap tape around your wrenches. Brilliant! Much easier to see what's going on than my old "throw a washcloth around the shiny stuff" method.
And today, well, I love the shiny teapot style faucet and my vanity with drawers a little less than I did before. BUT *today* the faucet isn't leaking.
I need to run out for the washer needed for the shower head that's been soaking in vinegar all night. It's totally worth it to clean all this stuff while it's dismantled- it's MUCH easier!
And productivity begets more productivity- I also braved the attic (sorta- I went halfway up and poked the boxes down with the mop) and am a few steps further along in getting the guest room whipped into shape. AND I came up with an idea for window treatments that will be FANTASTIC and relatively inexpensive since I have almost everything on hand. YAY!
It's nice in the midst of all this butchy sense of accomplishment to have silly little reminders that I am, indeed, a girl. :)
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