My father grew up on a farm and it was sort of the job description to be “handy,” able to do lots of different mechanical and handiman jobs. Everything from woodworking, plumbing, electrical, painting, engine repair and body work on the car – it had to be quite the significant or highly specialized task before he would just pay someone else to do it. Needless to say, I got tutored on all of these things, and while some of it stuck, the results varied. While we visited my grandfather’s farm for a couple of weeks here and there over the summer, I did *NOT* grow up on a farm.
One lesson I remember very distinctly, something I heard him say every time we were elbow deep in some array of pipes and drains and fixtures – “I hate plumbing!” That one I learned pretty well.
One guiding principle in my approach to plumbing repairs comes from astronaut Chris Hadfield. I don’t remember the exact quote, but the gist of it is, “First, don’t make it worse.” Meaning, I’m sure I could hire a plumber to fix this for $500 to $700 (hopefully not too much more) but if I had the correct $5 part I think I could probably fix it myself, but in the process of disassembling and attempting to repair and attempting to reassemble, don’t turn it into a $2,000 repair.
So far, I think I’m still good. But I haven’t been able to find that $5 part, and there are a zillion of these valves and they’re all different manufacturers and sizes and models and they’re all 1000% NON-interchangeable and the best way to get what I need is to shut off the water to the house, pull this sucker out, take it to the plumbing supply place, and let them ID it and sell me the $60 full replacement that includes the $5 part that I need, then go home and reverse the entire process.
It seems straightforward but there are so many places in there where I’m wandering further and further into “WTF am I doing?” and “I have no idea what to do next, but now the water’s off” and then I’m calling that plumber on a weekend and *POOF!*, $2,000 is gone!
I hate plumbing.
We Love The Stars Too Fondly 
… and I really must find the number of the plumber who came out during our lockdown to fix all sorts of things for me… I’ve had a leaking outside tap for months now.
Chris Hadfield is brilliant. I must read an Astronauts Guide to Earth again, so much to take to heart. “do the small things right’ is one of his that helps me.
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A gentleman and a scholar, a fine musician, and an incredibly interesting person to talk to or hear give a talk. If you ever get the chance, I urge you to take it!
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Your article is very informative for those who suddenly find themselves facing a plumbing issue!
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