Dave and Fred working to replace the street sewer connection to Peeler When the work on the Wesley roof waited for good weather days to complete, we spent much of our work days helping Fred create the new plumbing in Peeler to support the 3 new guest rooms for mission volunteers. Much of this work took us into the dirt. When not on the job, we made some time to celebrate Dave’s birthday.
The original connection has its share of obstacles. New Parts for an Old Building
Peeler Hall is the oldest building on Faith’s campus. It’s not clear when the last major work was done on its plumbing, but the one thing that was becoming apparent quickly was that much of the work to create new bathrooms would have to be done in the crawlspace under the floor and, in some cases, under the ground. One of the areas of most concern was replacing the connection to the existing drain. Once excavated, it was apparent that any replacement was going to be a tight fit, weaving around ancient galvanized water lines with 4” PVC.
Peeler Hall is the oldest building on Faith’s campus. It’s not clear when the last major work was done on its plumbing, but the one thing that was becoming apparent quickly was that much of the work to create new bathrooms would have to be done in the crawlspace under the floor and, in some cases, under the ground. One of the areas of most concern was replacing the connection to the existing drain. Once excavated, it was apparent that any replacement was going to be a tight fit, weaving around ancient galvanized water lines with 4” PVC.
Got enough couplings? Seeing a 36-hour window when the building was not being used, we seized the opportunity to install the new connections. The first step required Pat to crawl 30 feet under the floor in Peeler to sever the existing 2” diameter connection. With that done, we began to assemble the new couplings. Pat installed a Y coupling under the floor to enable the existing bathrooms to continue to be served, while connecting to the new bathrooms being built. All seemed to be going well until the next to last coupling was put in place. At that point it became obvious that we had not successfully lined up to the existing pipe. After considering any number of ways to salvage what we had built, we finally decided the best course was to start (mostly) over again with some changes.
Told you it was tight! The next morning, we did just that. By the time we got back to the same point where we could confirm whether the pipes would align, we were all breathing a sigh of relief, when they aligned perfectly. That left a “slip” joint to complete the connection. With Dave and Pat dangling inside the hole, the sleeve and the pipes were primed and glued and successfully slipped into place. It was a thing of beauty. Ok, that’s bit over the top, but you get the idea. When we tested the new drain and found no leaks, we quickly filled in the hole. Let’s not tempt fate.
Pat "down under" with some newly run pipe. So, the next step was to put in place the long run of pipes under the floor boards that would connect to the new bathrooms. Cathy joined Pat “in the hole”, dragging pipe around, gluing in new connections, and then strapping the pipe in place at just the right slope to ensure it would drain the right direction. There’s still much more to do, so we will be back down the hole for more.
Dave's birthday immortalized on a newly installed hot water heater Strange Birthday Present
Periodically, we had also had to stop to buy more supplies. Not just pipes and couplings, but toilets, tubs, etc. Dave found some great deals, topped by the free vanity and sink and followed closely by the $50 tub. But by far the best deal came about when we discovered that Wesley Hall needed a new hot water heater. It was Thursday afternoon, and we wanted to get it installed Friday morning, if possible, which just happened to be Dave’s birthday.
When Dave and Fred returned from their shopping run several hours later, it was apparent that propane hot water heaters were hard to find. But the good news was they managed to come home with one. Even better was the price. Fred had found a dented one at Lowe’s that was priced in the store at $100, which was already a good price. Dave couldn’t leave it at that. They left the store having spent only $25.
Periodically, we had also had to stop to buy more supplies. Not just pipes and couplings, but toilets, tubs, etc. Dave found some great deals, topped by the free vanity and sink and followed closely by the $50 tub. But by far the best deal came about when we discovered that Wesley Hall needed a new hot water heater. It was Thursday afternoon, and we wanted to get it installed Friday morning, if possible, which just happened to be Dave’s birthday.
When Dave and Fred returned from their shopping run several hours later, it was apparent that propane hot water heaters were hard to find. But the good news was they managed to come home with one. Even better was the price. Fred had found a dented one at Lowe’s that was priced in the store at $100, which was already a good price. Dave couldn’t leave it at that. They left the store having spent only $25.
Dave and Fred finish the hot water install Since it couldn’t be returned, we held our breath the next morning, hoping it had no leaks and would work without problems. Since the old hot water heater was 9 inches shorter, Fred built a platform to raise the new one up to the old water pipes and vent. Once in place, the pipes fit well, and it filled easily with no leaks. With an extension added to the gas pipes, the pilot lit and the water was hot shortly thereafter. Just in time for preparations to begin for Sunday’s Souper Bowl luncheon, as if nothing had ever gone wrong. Great job guys! Oh and Dave’s birthday is immortalized on the side of the water heater.
Off the Clock
We continued to put the bikes to use, rewarding ourselves with some ice cream after a bike ride. Of course, it didn’t take Dave long to introduce Fred to Whit’s Custard, especially since the new Ferguson plumbing supply store had moved within a short distance of the nearest Whit’s location. Plumbing supply trips have a new significance now. We were especially excited to see the Samoas flavor show up on the calendar. This is a rare treat, since it is our favorite flavor, which we made sure to share with Pat and Fred.
On Dave’s birthday, we didn’t just install a hot water heater. We went out for a yummy seafood dinner at a restaurant that we had sampled after getting a tip from a fellow biker. We liked it so much we made a point to return for Dave’s birthday. He even got a song and a celebratory piece of Key Lime Pie. Now that’s a better way to celebrate.
We continued to put the bikes to use, rewarding ourselves with some ice cream after a bike ride. Of course, it didn’t take Dave long to introduce Fred to Whit’s Custard, especially since the new Ferguson plumbing supply store had moved within a short distance of the nearest Whit’s location. Plumbing supply trips have a new significance now. We were especially excited to see the Samoas flavor show up on the calendar. This is a rare treat, since it is our favorite flavor, which we made sure to share with Pat and Fred.
On Dave’s birthday, we didn’t just install a hot water heater. We went out for a yummy seafood dinner at a restaurant that we had sampled after getting a tip from a fellow biker. We liked it so much we made a point to return for Dave’s birthday. He even got a song and a celebratory piece of Key Lime Pie. Now that’s a better way to celebrate.
