…can be fun!
Scored a spare-spare propane bottle. Now I have two at the front of the cabin for the bedroom heater, two at the rear for the cookstove, and a good one in reserve. That way I don’t feel like OMG I gotta rush out and fill up on propane every time there’s one empty bottle.
And sometimes spending money at the hardware store is really no fun at all…
Speaking of spares, any time I have to run out and buy a plumbing part because something froze and broke, I try to keep that trip from being necessary next time by bringing home enough to fix the problem at least twice. That gives me plenty of time to forget whatever clever thing I did with the part by the time I need it next time.
In this case, of course, we’re not dealing with Lowes. So there were a few minutes when I thought I wasn’t even going to be able to score what I needed, much less spares. Empty bins or bins filled with the wrong damned parts – all of which look alike, of course – are not my favorite thing. But I finally came home with three fittings, when I hoped for four. That’s enough to fix the thing twice as long as nothing really outrageous happens. And really – what are the chances of that?
And now the break is fixed, and the pump is up there humming happily along.
Hopefully it’s pumping water. I dipped the tank for some idea of the current level, and at dusk I’ll go up and check it again just to make sure water’s moving in the right direction.
Never did completely lose cabin water, just had some warning gurgles and shots of rusty goo. And it even happened just after dish washing yesterday instead of the usual thing. So all I really missed was my evening sponge bath, and I don’t mind if LB doesn’t.
Duct-tape those nipple baggies to the water line near the valve so you don’t have to go hunting for them ‘next time’.
Good to see the pressure’s off.
BTW I tend to stay as far away from the big box hardware stores (Lowe’s/Home Depot etc.) as I can. I have access to Home Depot, Lowe’s, and a few others and I’ve found in their case the grass ain’t always greener.
The big hardware box stores like to brag that they have professionals in each department. Plumbers in plumbing, carpenters in the lumber area, electricians in electrical etc. One thing to think about before dealing with these “pros”, if these guys were pros why are they working at a big box store and not in their respective fields? The selection in the bins may be a little less and some of the items might be in the wrong bins but this happens in the big box hardware stores too.
Those bugs or mouse droppings on the frame of the well head? Whatever they are, plenty of em.
I take it that is a flap valve so the water does not go back into the well head which is what failed?.
Now all ya need is a couple of those (relatively inexpensive) automatic diverter valves and you will be UPTOWN for sure.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Packrat turds. And yeah, that’s a one-way valve. One of the adapter fittings froze and broke. The one on the tank side of the valve, unfortunately.
Next time, use brass or stainless instead of plastic.
Insulate with pipe insulation (or pool noodles). either way, much less likely for that to happen again unless you get REALLY cold.