Didn’t get everything on my list done on my off days, but I got enough that I’m satisfied.
I didn’t end doing a lot of fence work. I pulled out the one post that I needed to replace, but I could not get the hole dug any deeper with the auger (tractor driven). I thought it was because the ground was too dry so I stuck the hose in the hole and let it soak while I did something else. I told BIL I was having trouble and he said “oh it’s because it’s dry, but I guess I could replace the blades real quick”. Got new blades on and it powered through the dirt like it was butter. I have an other hole to dig for the post for the H-brace, but I had to get the gate post set first. I didn’t get it set until this afternoon. I think I even managed to get it in the right spot (needs to be 12’).
2nd project that was planned, but moved up the list was the water heater. It’s a tankless unit and it’s been unreliable since I moved in 6 years ago. It keeps throwing a “air intake” code and shutting off. It’s been a problem on and off since 2020, but it’s been atrocious for the last month. It would also take FOREVER for the hot water to get to my bathroom. I’m talking, nakey walk all the way across the house 4 or 5 times to get through a shower. I started getting my hair wet and putting the shampoo in while the water was hot and then as soon as it got cold, I go turn the heater back on and then stick just my head back under the (cold) water and rinse while the water heated back up. I usually put the conditioner in my hair while I was still waiting for hot water so as soon as it was warm enough, I’d jump back in and attempt to scrub my body before it got cold again. I’d then hop out and stick my head back in to rinse my hair again. Not a satisfying shower at all.
We attempted to fix the problem a year ago and had some success. We pulled the fan out and sucked all the stink bugs out. It worked for a while. I took the fan out again a couple weeks ago and sucked out the 2 or 3 that were in there and it made zero difference this time. I descaled the unit as well (it was due for it anyways). I did some more digging and realized that the bugs were getting into the unit from the air intake pipe that goes to outside of the house.
When I went to take the heater apart yesterday to clean it out, I discovered that the cold water service valve had started leaking. It wasn’t the ball valve or the joints, it seems there is a crack in the fitting itself.
I got the air intake cleaned out. There were a lot of mud wasp nests and some stink bugs.
I got it all back together and got the valve patched up as best I could for the night, it wasn’t after 9p at this point.
I couldn’t find replacement service valves locally. They were either out of stock or very expensive so I ordered a new one online.
My patch job didn’t hold up very well so I got some silicone tape and that’s doing a much better job. I could have just left it at that, but since I’m going to have to cut the copper pipe later to replace the valve, I decided to do it now and add in a shut off valve close to the floor so when I go to work on it later, I can shut the water off there instead of having to go all the way up to the road to turn off the water to the whole house. Also just it case I screw it up and it takes longer to fix, we can still have water even if it’s just the cold.
I took a most satisfying shower this evening. The water got hot within a minute, pressure was great, and it stayed hot the entire time. I was running the washer and dishwasher at the same time too! The water was actually too hot. My shower has always been all or nothing with the hot water. You either cranked the temp up all way and melted your skin just a little or turn it down just a smidge and it’s too cold. This time I was able to turn it down and it stayed comfortable. Absolutely amazing!
I also got the chicks moved out to a pen in the coop. They seem happy with the extra space.
time to do kids here...maybe this weekend. Vacs are here.
