Well this is how my day began. Kind of looks like I passed out, but that was not the case this time. I was actually fixing the only leak we had in the water lines. There was one other one but we decided to replace the old line coming into the building, so that doesn't really count.
Come to think about it this leak wasn't my fault either.
This was the line that runs out to the outside faucet, which people know they commonly break in the winter months.
To repair the break you have to cut out the broken section and put in a repair coupling or you have to replace the cracked faucet, which luckily was not the case this time.
Here is the cracked 1/2" copper line.
When I fixed this line I tried to make sure there was an upward angle on the pipe so it will drain when the inside valve is shutoff for the winter months.
Really amazing that these types of leaks are cause for some of the worst basement and house flooding.
Always check your outside faucets each season!
Just some of the water that leaked out.
Good thing it really doesn't matter in our building!
Another stupid mistake on my part with the torch.
It is a great feeling when flesh bubbles up from these types of burns.
Picture of Jen's latest work.
I think she is going to be a while longer!
After making sure there were no more leaks in the copper downstairs, it was time to start moving things upstairs which means I have to get on the ladder again 16 feet in the air.
The water lines had to be run across the ceiling in and against the beams.
Luckily there was only four joints to solder in the air.
The first of the connections.
Oh BTW there is no floor beneath me so I had to setup a plywood platform across the floor beams.
So this made it even more stressful!
I decided to invent a drain for this line going upstairs as I really do not want anything to freeze up in the winter.
If we decide that we won't be staying in the apartment I can just turn off this line and then open the red valve to drain all the lines.
This is a picture of the water line coming up from the first floor.
This is where I put in another shutoff for those just in case something goes wrong moments.
From here you can see that I just hooked into the old copper water lines which saved me a lot of time in re-running them to the toilet and the shower.
I just hoped there was no breaks in the line again!
Here is a small victory! You really learn to take everyone you can get.
The shower has water and worked and so I decided to clean it out and think about how I got to this point by the end of the day.
We will leave you with another picture of myself lying on the floor.
I had to check and make sure the shower drain wasn't leaking, which it wasn't, so that is how we ended the day on a positive note.
Until next week!
Chris & Jen
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