the faucets

[low_delta]

I checked another hardware store, and they had fewer choices in valves than the previous, but this one had a kid who was eager to help. He found an o-ring ($0.99) for me. After a but of a struggle, I stuffed everything back in, and it works with no leaks.

So now I'm unhappy that I destroyed the other one, trying to figure out how to get it apart.

I have two choices. Leave it apart until I feel like fixing it. Or put it back together with a new o-ring, and use pliers to turn it on and off until I feel like fixing it. I think I'll feel like fixing it in the Spring.

Comments

[serendipity.livejournal.com]

Do you ever consider hiring someone when tasks become too annoying or unpleasant?

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Not really. By then it's too late. I usually know ahead of time whether it's something I can do myself. And if I can do it, I prefer to do it. Unless it's too big. In this case, it seemed simple. I've fixed faucets before, and I thought this was similar. I thought it was a matter of the packing, rather than the o-ring. So now I've learned something.

For replacing the faucet, I'm not sure if I'll hire someone for that. Depends on whether I get the basement cleaned out enough that they can get in there. But since I'm getting to the point in my life where I have more money than time, I'm hiring people more than I used to.

[likethebeer.livejournal.com]

Glad that fix worked. I can imagine putting if off until the Spring, if I did as well as you fixing it.

[lonewolf2.livejournal.com]

I agree that renewing the O-ring is the smart thing to do before the winter freeze-up to avoid risking having the body of the faucet split. Packing pipe insulation around the part of the faucet outside the house wall would further reduce the risk of ice spreading back into the pipe length embedded in the wall.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

They do tend to get leaky after a bad freeze/thaw cycle, if you don't take care of them. Fortunately, I have shutoff valves, and can drain them during the winter. Unfortunately, I don't always do this.

When I replace the one, I'll probably use a frost-proof one.

[mellary4.livejournal.com]

Spring will come soon enough and you worked hard enough on this. Relax and enjoy life for now right? Besides you'll need the extra time for shoveling and snowblowing ;)

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

While I have been more motivated than usual, these last couple of months, I have still taken my share of relaxation. :-)

Replacing it remains on my list of things to do this fall, but it's not the top of the list. The problem with leaving it until spring, is that it won't be done by the time I need to use it. By the time it's warm enough for me to want to do that work, it will be warm enough to need to water.

I picture some vise-grips on the faucet all spring. ;-)