The Old Folks Home

[ronott1]

I'm good with everything up to and after "cut the pipe."

First plumber called me back (had his wife call me back) that he's booking to January and to find someone else, they did give me a number. That guy is about a mile down the road, informed me that the road I lived on used to be "the main road" back in the 1950's and once I said I knew the people that lived at the end of my road "a few weeks" turned into "probably next week."

Now the only way I know the guy at the end of the road is I met him at the town sand dump one day maybe last winter or the winter before and he introduced himself and said that BF never waves at him when he drives by.

I figure I know him, right?

Do you need to take a plate of cookies to them?

 

[pennyJo1960]

For the love of all things holy, I know I've harped on this many times in the past but it is soooo difficult to get work done around here.
My outdoor water spigot is fubar. The turn knob is starting to strip, and to turn it off I have to also push it in. I'm very concerned it won't make it through winter, so I need it replaced. This is my best source of water in winter, as I have to carry buckets. Other spigots mean I have to also carry the buckets up a (very icy, steep) hill.
Seems simple enough.
I contact a local handyman on Craigslist. He tells me he can do it no problem. I send him a detailed description of the problem, and a photo of said spigot. I also inform him that I need one that drains after use because I have a farm and use it for the water all winter and can't have it freezing up.
No problem.
I try not to judge because not only does his hump day not have a d in it, but spigot is spelled with a k... but he may know plumbing.
Then he asks me what tools he needs to bring.
If I knew the details of what tools were required I could probably do the job. I respond as such.
Pretty sure at this point I don't want him touching any of my plumbing, but he's willing to come out so we know we're on the same page before he does the work on "Wensday."
I figure if he seems like a moron in person I'll just tell him I got a better quote. Sometimes texts aren't as perfect as you'd like them to be.
Well today he starts in with "you said the end is stripped and you can't get the hose on it right" followed by "do you see any numbers on it maybe I can just get a rebuild kit."

Now I have 2 calls out to regular plumbers and I told this guy to bugger off via a text. I hate doing that but... I'd trust myself more.

I am so sorry this has become such an issue yes happy you have a basement

 

[perchie.girl]

Then he asks me what tools he needs to bring.

There's your sign.....

deb

 

[perchie.girl]

I will apologize, according to Miriam Webster, "spicket" is an appropriate alternative to "spigot."
They did not clarify whether "spikit" was also approved but I think not.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Your cream cheese cookies look good

 

[perchie.girl]

Sorry SCG... having been a Maine-eeeack for a dozen or so years, I can vouch for the situations you often describe. If you look at the main spigot body below the turn handle you may see what looks like a "nut" that can be turned by a wrench. Many have it but it's just for show and can't be turned.

If it's the type that can be turned, you can rebuild the valve assembly, which will replace the turn shaft which is stripping out. Know what, never mind that... here...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Homewer...h-Push-Fit-Connections-P140-8-12x14/203518405

You'll need to turn the water off at source and then take out the mounting screws outside holding the spigot to the wall. Inside, as close to the outside wall as possible, cut the existing supply pipe and remove the existing spigot by pulling it through the wall outside. Then insert the replacement (above).
When you go back to the basement, pull it in tight and mark the supply pipe where it will need to be cut. push the new spigot out enough to cut the pipe, clean the burrs off the end and then connect the spigot to the pipe. Then go back outside and re-screw the new spigot to the wall.

this is 14" anti freeze siphon fitting. I think they make up to 18" but didn't see one listed at HD. As cold as you folks get, the longer the better.

It has a shark bite like fitting, so just push to connect, no soldering or anything. Should work with copper or PEX type plumbing. If your house is standard sized, it should be 1/2" pipe.

 

[perchie.girl]

I'm good with everything up to and after "cut the pipe."

First plumber called me back (had his wife call me back) that he's booking to January and to find someone else, they did give me a number. That guy is about a mile down the road, informed me that the road I lived on used to be "the main road" back in the 1950's and once I said I knew the people that lived at the end of my road "a few weeks" turned into "probably next week."

Now the only way I know the guy at the end of the road is I met him at the town sand dump one day maybe last winter or the winter before and he introduced himself and said that BF never waves at him when he drives by.

I figure I know him, right?

If you are like me.... you know they are a neigbor and to smile and waive..... ::snort:: I have similar issues with finding someone to work at my place as well.

Thank goodness I can fix just about anything that doesnt require a Ladder or a tractor...

deb

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I should send you and late starter a plane ticket to come visit me

 

[bruceha2000]

I'm closer

I figure I know him, right?

Yeah, close enough! But make sure you and BF wave a LOT between now and when the plumber comes.

For the future, wander the plumbing aisle of the hardware store and just get an idea of what is there. The "sharkbite"™ fittings (there are other brands as well) @Latestarter mentioned come in many configurations. What he was suggesting was to use one that would connect whatever you have inside the house to the faucet he linked. No soldering with this type of fitting, takes the "professional plumber" requirement out of many plumbing jobs.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...efix=sharkbite+conn,aps,170&crid=ZONILE44WLQU

 

[perchie.girl]

shark bite is my friend....

Though I do a mean Glue job....