See what I have been messing with

June 14, 2007 (5:32am)
55º F, Clear and nice, NNW wind, 3 mph.

Good morning,

Today we will be heading back to Kewaunee again. Had not really planned on going yet, but a good friend has died and her son asked me to be part of the service for her. We are very honored to be asked and certainly will do it. Pastor is on vacation, so I guess the family will be having an open house rather than a formal funeral. Not sure if there will be one later, after pastor is back next week.

If we can get out of here early enough, we plan to go by way of the Amish store and pick up supplies. One thing for sure, we will bring back as much eatables as we can from almost anywhere than here. Ice chest will be full I think. Plan to stop at Aldi’s and Woodman’s, probably coming and going, for sure. The next problem will be finding a place to store what we bring. Glad that isn’t my job, but Margriet’s.

I did finish all of the plumbing, other than connecting some of the pipes. I want to pick up some "sweep" Ells to use in a couple of places. They have a more gentle curve, rather than a sharp right-angled corner to them. They make for easier placement of the pipe in some of the corners where there are trim pieces. The hardest task was to make up an "overpass" for the cold water line to the shower to cross the hot water line to the kitchen sink. Lots of Ells used and time doing putzy work. Don’t want to change the kitchen faucet and toilet until I can spend some uninterrupted time on them. I did get the drain in the shower sealed up I think and need to find a grate to go over the opening. Might need to make one.

Thought you might like to see what I have been working on for the past few days in the plumbing department. The first picture is of the cold water manifold and supply just sticking out behind the right side of the toilet. It was a real challenge to fit the PEX behind the water heater. Had to move it, but could only move it about 4" away from the wall. Everything done there required much effort and all hand tools. As it is, the hot water supply line shut off is stuck behind the water heater, accessible, but just. Yes the electrical supply is on my agenda to replace soon too, as is the toilet. Have a new load center, main lug, and toilet sitting here and waiting to be installed.

The second picture is of the hot water manifold above the hot water heater. This was much easier to work on, other than there were a few sweat joints to make. Had to dust of the soldering skills again that I haven’t used for a time. The real difficult part started where the hot and cold water lines merged into the shower and the kitchen faucet beyond.

I can’t believe how many Ells I have used, especially ½"! The rolls of PEX I bought are also partially depleted, especially the ½". Don’t think there is more than 25' of that left. That is about twice the amount I planned on. Those short little pieces sure add up. So does the cost. Lots of Ells to connect them too. Of course, we really didn’t plan to even do this project either, but was necessary.

Time to get a-going.

In Christ My Saviour,

Chris ><>