Why I Hate Plumbing
Well, I have not posted in the last number of days because of a "small" side project: our broken well pump. I was hoping to sit here and say "After 4 days of back breaking work, I got our well pump going and all is well with the world". Unfortunately, I am sitting here typing, "After 4 days of my life I will never get back, we are going to pay for a new submersible well pump because plumbing that does not work is thanks to the devil".
Long story short, we live in an 80 year old home (partly at least) and have a well and septic tank. Almost everything in this house has been replaced or updated...except the well pump. The other day, we found the thing running continuously and leaking. Bad sign. Having replaced the pressure switch before, I figured replacing the entire unit would be no problem. We jaunted down to Sears, found the same style jet pump on clearance(!) and picked it up. Now mind you, Bob & Wendy where still here. So for Bob's last two days...he hung out with me in the basement and was great help in getting me to where I am now. Seriously, he was great help. Unfortunately, the problem is out of both of our hands.
I love electrical work. It either works, or it doesn't. If it doesn't, it is because you drywalled over an outlet and didn't realize it until the inspector pointed out (Or so someone once told me...). Plumbing, which I never do, and now remember why, is not the same. Plumbing either works, doesn't work or leaks. I am not so thrilled about that middle gray "leaking" area.
So, after screwing around with a pump that was impossible to seat fittings into. After messing around with an air tank that has probably been around since the Lincoln assassination, re-sweating copper fittings and adjusting the pump fittings, I am done. I ended up and called a local pump guy to help me out last night. He did great, but I learned today that it was just not enough. I guess a submersible is the way to go and the drip of pressure we have now will be gone.
So, four days I will never get back. I just hate it when a project beats me and I am officially beat. Although a "professional" may be able to knock it out faster, I figure that the extra time I spend is time I am not only fixing something myself, but learning how to fix something. But after smelling like something that has been living in a bus station for four weeks without a shower, I have little to show for my effort. That my friends sucks...sucks very much indeed. By the way, that is the new pump up top. If you get enough beers in me one day, I will show you the dirty little secret I have called "pictures of the old pump". Embarrassing indeed! Well 9:40 and off to dinner...I can about guarantee there will be no grilling this week!
Long story short, we live in an 80 year old home (partly at least) and have a well and septic tank. Almost everything in this house has been replaced or updated...except the well pump. The other day, we found the thing running continuously and leaking. Bad sign. Having replaced the pressure switch before, I figured replacing the entire unit would be no problem. We jaunted down to Sears, found the same style jet pump on clearance(!) and picked it up. Now mind you, Bob & Wendy where still here. So for Bob's last two days...he hung out with me in the basement and was great help in getting me to where I am now. Seriously, he was great help. Unfortunately, the problem is out of both of our hands.
I love electrical work. It either works, or it doesn't. If it doesn't, it is because you drywalled over an outlet and didn't realize it until the inspector pointed out (Or so someone once told me...). Plumbing, which I never do, and now remember why, is not the same. Plumbing either works, doesn't work or leaks. I am not so thrilled about that middle gray "leaking" area.
So, after screwing around with a pump that was impossible to seat fittings into. After messing around with an air tank that has probably been around since the Lincoln assassination, re-sweating copper fittings and adjusting the pump fittings, I am done. I ended up and called a local pump guy to help me out last night. He did great, but I learned today that it was just not enough. I guess a submersible is the way to go and the drip of pressure we have now will be gone.
So, four days I will never get back. I just hate it when a project beats me and I am officially beat. Although a "professional" may be able to knock it out faster, I figure that the extra time I spend is time I am not only fixing something myself, but learning how to fix something. But after smelling like something that has been living in a bus station for four weeks without a shower, I have little to show for my effort. That my friends sucks...sucks very much indeed. By the way, that is the new pump up top. If you get enough beers in me one day, I will show you the dirty little secret I have called "pictures of the old pump". Embarrassing indeed! Well 9:40 and off to dinner...I can about guarantee there will be no grilling this week!
Mike Lang
