Wednesday, March 10, 2021

A BUSTED PIPE

Well, we mentioned that this past weekend wasn't ALL good stuff.  While I was working on the raised beds, "R" from 2nd Family said "let's turn on the water and check things out".  I said SURE, sounds like a plan...he went down to the well end and turned on the valve.  I turned on the valve at our end...



...and this was the result.

For those who might not be able to get the video to play, here is a still photo:


Water was spraying out under the bathroom.  There was one pipe that was split and water was coming out.  The good news is that it appears to be the only one broken in the freeze.  As he said "you guys got lucky".   We thought we got all the water out but this pipe must have been a low spot that still had some water in it.  Lesson learned.

The good thing is that it's just one section of pipe that is about 4 feet long from elbow to elbow.  "R" said it would be an easy fix and he's going to work on it for us.  

The valve on our end shuts off the water to the house but still lets the outside faucet run.  So until it's fixed, we can still get water for watering the fruit trees and the porch plants.  Heck, I can wash my hands under the outside faucet.  He's going to find some PVC pipe to replace the section though in the Houston area right now, it's pretty scarce.  We're in no hurry.

The awesome thing is he is going to let me help so I can learn these things.

Win/Win!


Thankfully, Spring is coming...according to the the apple tree which is COVERED in beautiful blooms.  At least no freeze worries now until NEXT Winter.

Compared to what we've seen in the state after the freeze, were were indeed lucky to escape with just this one small section of broken pipe.



14 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear about your broken water pipe considering the freeing temperatures we had. Looks like a very easy fix which is a good thing and that you have a wonderful neighbor who is willing to help you fix it. Sure saves from having to call a plumber out and then again, plumbers are really busy around here since that winter storm.

    Nice to see your apple tree in bloom. A good sign of Spring........Finally arriving.
    Our stock tanks where froze but are thawing out so hubby finally took off our faucet covers yesterday & stored away. He also mowed the back yard which was in need of a slipping anyway. The front yard, not so much so didn't mow it but then with the rain moving in come Friday and into the weekend I'm sure that the whole yard will need mowing come next weekend.
    Oh, yes, can't forget to Spring forward come Sat. evening or early Sunday morning and will be time to change batteries in our fire alarms / detectors as well.(Something some people forget about doing.)

    Enjoy your day and have a awesome evening.

    Our young trees are beginning to leaf out as well. :}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Spring is coming for sure. Yes, he is a wonderful neighbor. Couldn't ask for better. In fact, that's why we call them our 2nd Family, because they are like each of us has a second family, ha. Mowing is coming soon too, and I can't wait for that, ha.

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  2. When water squirts out of a spot where it shouldn't be, I tend to scream! It's so nice you have someone to repair it AND teach you how to do it.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah it's never a fun sound to hear or thing to see. Looking forward to learning something too, ha. Thanks!

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  3. Replies
    1. Yeah, with all the tragedies around us we are indeed lucky.

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  4. Switch the plumbing to PEX and never have problems with frozen pipes again. Do the work now and spend the money. Forget PVC.

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    Replies
    1. We've heard of that, and yeah, depending on what we do at the the farm (either a remodel or new) that's on the top of our list.

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  5. One broken section of pipe – not fun, but considering the terrible and long freeze we had, you were fortunate it was only the one section.
    You have such a wonderful neighbor in helping you winterize each year, fixing a broken pipe, and rescuing you when your Zen Machine gets a bit too adventurous. And with him as your mentor, you are learning all these great skills.

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    Replies
    1. Yep, it's not fun but it's very fortunate. He has been a great mentor and he'd do anything we asked him to, that kind of a person is a treasure to have.

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  6. Gosh that was lucky and you were there to see it.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, that's one reason we told 2nd Family, don't turn on the water until we're there, just in case, ha.

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