I finally finished the plumbing project I started at the end of May. I had to solder the bit of practical copper sculpture I created into the actual plumbing. After some wrangling to shield the plastic shower stall from the heat of the torch, finally settling on a short shovel as my heat shield, I soldered the valve into place and assembled the flange that holds the valve in place on the stall.
Then I crossed my fingers and turned the water on. And nothing happened. Which didn't make sense to me, because that was what was supposed to happen. Nothing continued to happen until I turned the shaft of the valve and water sprayed out of the shower head. Curiouser and curiouser. And to this day my very first soldered plumbing project has failed to leak. Who would have thought?
The next big project is laying a new floor in the sitting room and putting the wainscoting back on the wall in preparation for the sale of this house. I've becoming way too good at this. It's scary.
The sounds of construction are emanating from the property next door, some exploratory excavation and the moving of stumps and logs so they can be hauled away. The plan is nearly locked, and then we can start getting estimates for site prep, and the construction of the basic shell. We're planning to do a lot of the finish and all the electrical ourselves. It will make for a busy year!
Meanwhile, I am not without creative outlet. I'm still directing "Refund" and I got up and sang at the annual Village Players talent show.
That, at least, is something I actually know how to do.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Projects
During the past weekend I played at being a plumber. The mixing valve on the downstairs shower started leaking into the wall. Karen opened up the wall (kind of frightening how good she is at destruction) and I figured out how to fix it. Unfortunately, it involves me soldering pipes, which I had never done. Oh, goody, another skill.
Karen bought a new valve. Not an exact replacement (very hard to find) but something that would work and cover the old holes in the shower enclosure. I assembled all of the pieces out on the back deck so that I wouldn't have to do much soldering near the plastic shower wall.
How did it turn out? I don't know yet! I used the old riser, and when I went to remove the pipe that holds the shower head, it sheared off. So I had to remove that and buy a new one; I haven't had a chance to get back to the project since, though I will tomorrow or Saturday.
Meanwhile, another project is going on at the property next door: a septic is being installed. Not only is it the first big step in the construction of our new house, but the digging and clearing they've had to do makes the property look so much more house-friendly. And the boys are very excited to see a backhoe right out their window!
My other two projects are much more within my comfort zone. I'm directing a short play at the Village Players, which is now in rehearsal and slated to open August 24th (and close August 25th). And I'll be getting on the stage to sing and play my guitar at the theater company's annual talent show/meeting/potluck.
But with a new house to build, the theater is probably the only place I'll be in my comfort zone for the rest of the summer.
Karen bought a new valve. Not an exact replacement (very hard to find) but something that would work and cover the old holes in the shower enclosure. I assembled all of the pieces out on the back deck so that I wouldn't have to do much soldering near the plastic shower wall.
How did it turn out? I don't know yet! I used the old riser, and when I went to remove the pipe that holds the shower head, it sheared off. So I had to remove that and buy a new one; I haven't had a chance to get back to the project since, though I will tomorrow or Saturday.
Meanwhile, another project is going on at the property next door: a septic is being installed. Not only is it the first big step in the construction of our new house, but the digging and clearing they've had to do makes the property look so much more house-friendly. And the boys are very excited to see a backhoe right out their window!
My other two projects are much more within my comfort zone. I'm directing a short play at the Village Players, which is now in rehearsal and slated to open August 24th (and close August 25th). And I'll be getting on the stage to sing and play my guitar at the theater company's annual talent show/meeting/potluck.
But with a new house to build, the theater is probably the only place I'll be in my comfort zone for the rest of the summer.
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