Sometimes The Path Of Good Intentions Is Paved With Leaks

Recently I went to a friends house to help out with a "simple" plumbing job. Did you take notice of those quotation marks; well I didn't see them till much later.

Anyway I went to my friends house to re-install a toilet as she had the floor of the bathroom re-done. Simple job; estimated time 30 min. Well I got there and one of the valves for the sink was leaking. So I shut off the water and took the valve apart. I noticed that it was not in good shape. I took the other 2 valves apart and noticed the same thing. So I told her I would run to a store real quick and get what I needed. The store in this story shall remain nameless but let me say that the primary color you see at this store is orange and the name rhymes with Gnome Repo. Anyway I found what I needed and went back to the house. I put the valves in after a little struggle and got someone to go in the basement to turn on the water. Then I heard a spraying sound, "TURN IT OFF!" I said casually. I cut away a little drywall so I could see and then had them turn the water on again. "AHHHH TURN IT OFF, TURN IT OFF!!" I remarked. I then told my friend there was a small leak in the wall and I would have to cut open her freshly painted drywall to fix it. Remember those quotation marks. I cut the wall open and found the problem. I went back to the store with a list of materials. I then did what you never want to do in those stores, I asked someone for help. I would have had a better chance asking a group of kindergartners to do my taxes. I got no help. So I looked for what I wanted and not finding it I went with my second choice; fleeing the country. No seriously I found what I thought would work and headed back to the house. While I was gone an order for dinner was placed and I received a cheese steak. It was very good, THANK YOU! Because it was getting late and I did want to see the NHL All Star game on TV that night I decided to eat while I worked OR work while I ate. I cut out the leaky pipe and replaced it with new pipe and fittings. I soldered all but one joint when I couldn't go any further. I had one of those small blue propane tanks and they work well. The thing is they don't work so well if they are tilted down and since that last joint was close to the floor I just couldn't get it. So after a bit of frustration I got out my white flag and surrendered. I left for the evening promising to try again later. The next day I went to Hajoca. I like Hajoca because they had what I wanted in the first place. I called my friend and went back to the house. I went upstairs and against my better judgement started to work. It actually went smoothly and I was able to make the repairs. I then tried to set the toilet. After taking some time to remove the old caulk and some ornery floor tile I set the toilet hooked up the supply line and turned on the water. As far as I know everything is OK to this day. There is another project there but we'll have to see about that.

PS My Dad taped the All Star game for me the East beat the West 12-11 in a shootout, and Malkin from the Penguins had a sweet goal. Thanks Dad.