Last night, we rented a small auger from Home Depot and picked up the replacement faucet parts. We also bought a big bottle of chemical drain cleaner and priced the pieces we would need for the renovation.
The replacement faucet parts took about 5 minutes to install so we have hot water service to the tub again. While I was in the plumbing parts aisle at Home Depot, I did also ask about the coverplate for the shutoff valve. (The fixtures were probably made in the mid-70s; our townhouse was built in 1977 and I am certain this is the original plumbing). They'd never heard of such a part, but did suggest I go directly to EMCO, the manufacturer, who have a "showroom" in Victoria (who knew?), near the Town and Country mall. I have emailed them to ask if the part is still available.
The auger? Totally worth the $9.00 rental price (that was a "4 hour rental" which was due back by 9 a.m. today). Hubby ran it in through the sink drain and, thanks to the auger's drilling ability, was able to clear a very disgusting clog with about 20 minutes of hard work. While he cleaned the auger, I replaced the trap under the sink and wiped-down the tub. Then we each had a shower. Ahhhhhhhhh.
The drain cleaner, unopened and unused, is now in the cupboard, for emergency use only, but I am happy we were able to clear the drain without the use of harsh chemicals.
We are still determined to replace the bathroom fixtures very soon... so expect more to come on this subject.
Showing posts with label plumbing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plumbing. Show all posts
28 November 2007
27 November 2007
Plumbing Crisitunity**....
Sigh. So, remember the debate about the bathroom reno? It might be a necessity now. Like, right now.
To catch up: our bathroom sink had been really clogged for a while, so on Saturday I finally emptied the cabinet under the sink, pulled it all apart, and voilà, we had functional indoor plumbing again!
... for about 24 hours
... when it started backing up into the tub.
Sigh.
Post-shower yesterday the tub took about 90 minutes to drain, so there was no question we had to find the rest of the blockage. The kitchen sink still drains fine and is getting no backup, so we figured it was just below the tub.
Then while we were trying to clear the clog, we found that the cleanout plug for the main drain line (which is, naturally, located in Kiddo's closet, behind a solid wood dresser) was rusted solid and could not be opened. Then the hot water faucet in the tub would no longer turn off. Faaaaaantastic. After shutting off the hot water supply to the tub, I removed the cartridge to find all the rubber portions degraded and/or completely missing. I tried to fix it using some spare parts I had in my plumbing toolbox, but none were quite right.
By the time we finally gave up and went to bed, there was still an inch or so of water (and detritus) standing in the tub. It was still there this morning. We'll be visiting Home Depot tonight.
**From Wikipedia:
To catch up: our bathroom sink had been really clogged for a while, so on Saturday I finally emptied the cabinet under the sink, pulled it all apart, and voilà, we had functional indoor plumbing again!
... for about 24 hours
... when it started backing up into the tub.
Sigh.
Post-shower yesterday the tub took about 90 minutes to drain, so there was no question we had to find the rest of the blockage. The kitchen sink still drains fine and is getting no backup, so we figured it was just below the tub.
Then while we were trying to clear the clog, we found that the cleanout plug for the main drain line (which is, naturally, located in Kiddo's closet, behind a solid wood dresser) was rusted solid and could not be opened. Then the hot water faucet in the tub would no longer turn off. Faaaaaantastic. After shutting off the hot water supply to the tub, I removed the cartridge to find all the rubber portions degraded and/or completely missing. I tried to fix it using some spare parts I had in my plumbing toolbox, but none were quite right.
By the time we finally gave up and went to bed, there was still an inch or so of water (and detritus) standing in the tub. It was still there this morning. We'll be visiting Home Depot tonight.
**From Wikipedia:
The neologism crisitunity was mentioned in the Fear of Flying episode of The Simpsons[5], see Culturally significant neologisms from The Simpsons. Lisa says, "Look on the bright side, Dad. Did you know that the Chinese use the same word for 'crisis' as they do for 'opportunity'?" Homer replies, "Yes! Cris-atunity." Although The Simpsons Archive spells this portmanteau "cris-atunity",[6] "crisitunity" is more commonly used.
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