The DIY thread - DIYourself

So about a week ago turned on the internal valve for the hose bib and of course it’s leaking everywhere. Figured out if I open it all the way and twist it hard it only drips every minute. It’s above the sump pit so no risk of water damage anywhere but I have a bucket under it anyway.

While I can probably reach the valve and replace the washer the real issue is more that both hose bibs (one each side of the house) need to get changed out anyway the outside handles are broken and they leak too.

I’m confident enough I could probably do it myself and get YouTube certified but i would have to go out and buy tools and a torch and for a one time job makes more sense to have someone with experience do it properly. I’d assume the outside and inside all get replaced with quarter turn too.

Both pipes inside are easily accessible from
The Basement which has unfinished ceilings and walls so no risk of messing up floors and Sheetrock.

Anyone on here interested to make a few bucks and some beers ? For the Local plumbers this is too small of a job for them they don’t even call me back.

BEA8ED24-7D19-4969-BC34-CAC6A179C1F4.jpegD1F68D7B-99A4-4612-B2D6-75DA843D02BE.jpeg
 
Seems like a good opportunity to do PEX and maybe Sharkbite style fittings where it joins up to copper, especially given the low risk of damage if anything does fail. I have a Pex crimp tool you're welcome to borrow, but also understand the appeal of getting someone else to do it.

Edit: Also have a torch and all of that stuff if you want to give it a go. Then you can prompt me to finally learn and finish my own projects.
 
Last edited:
this job is not hard to do and a torch isnt expensive and is good have around for other stuff too, the hard part is going to be having the water to the house shut off while you do it. (unless they have a secondary cutoff that isolates them from the rest of the house)

www.homedepot.com

Bernzomatic Trigger Ignition Start Blow Torch Kit with 14.1 oz. Handheld Propane Gas Cylinder and Adjustable Flame WK2301 - The Home Depot

The Bernzomatic Utility Torch Kit is your all-in-one solution for various projects. This kit includes a durable torch head with a trigger start for instant ignition. With an adjustable flame knob, you
www.homedepot.com

www.homedepot.com

RIDGID 1/4 in. to 1-1/8 in. 101 Close Quarters Copper, Aluminum, Brass, and Plastic Tubing Cutter, Multi-Use Tubing Tool 40617 - The Home Depot

Built on the trust of the trades, you need tools designed for experts and built to last. Experience the durability of the RIDGID 101 Close Quarters Tubing Cutter with 1/4"-1-1/8" capacity (catalog number
www.homedepot.com

then w/e fittings ect you need.



the sharbite isnt hard to do either, and saves you needing a torch, i have used them when i dont have room for a torch (think wall cavity on 100 year old house is a bad place to take a torch, but thats just me) and if you get the brass ones are acceptable for use with copper, just buy the sharkbite removal tool before you get started, trust me.

www.homedepot.com

SharkBite 1/2 in. Push-to-Connect Disconnect Clip U710A - The Home Depot

Make a mistake; No problem with SharkBite. Disassembly is fast and easy using the disconnect clip. SharkBite Push-to-Connect fittings connect copper, PEX and CPVC in any combination and the Disconnect
www.homedepot.com
 
shrpshtr325 said:
this job is not hard to do and a torch isnt expensive and is good have around for other stuff too, the hard part is going to be having the water to the house shut off while you do it. (unless they have a secondary cutoff that isolates them from the rest of the house)

www.homedepot.com

Bernzomatic Trigger Ignition Start Blow Torch Kit with 14.1 oz. Handheld Propane Gas Cylinder and Adjustable Flame WK2301 - The Home Depot

The Bernzomatic Utility Torch Kit is your all-in-one solution for various projects. This kit includes a durable torch head with a trigger start for instant ignition. With an adjustable flame knob, you
www.homedepot.com

www.homedepot.com

RIDGID 1/4 in. to 1-1/8 in. 101 Close Quarters Copper, Aluminum, Brass, and Plastic Tubing Cutter, Multi-Use Tubing Tool 40617 - The Home Depot

Built on the trust of the trades, you need tools designed for experts and built to last. Experience the durability of the RIDGID 101 Close Quarters Tubing Cutter with 1/4"-1-1/8" capacity (catalog number
www.homedepot.com

then w/e fittings ect you need.



the sharbite isnt hard to do either, and saves you needing a torch, i have used them when i dont have room for a torch (think wall cavity on 100 year old house is a bad place to take a torch, but thats just me) and if you get the brass ones are acceptable for use with copper, just buy the sharkbite removal tool before you get started, trust me.

www.homedepot.com

SharkBite 1/2 in. Push-to-Connect Disconnect Clip U710A - The Home Depot

Make a mistake; No problem with SharkBite. Disassembly is fast and easy using the disconnect clip. SharkBite Push-to-Connect fittings connect copper, PEX and CPVC in any combination and the Disconnect
www.homedepot.com
Click to expand...
Agree with the above. As for tight places and old wood, I dunk an old towel in water and tack it around the area of the pipe, dripping wet. And keep a fire extinguisher handy as well.
You can use a propane torch for a lot more than sweat soldering too. Getting fire started in a fire pit, heating up tight nuts, reason for new bike, etc.
 
thanks guys will take all the above into consideration when I am sure I have time to make the 3+ required trips back and forth to the store for said plumbing supplies if I decide to take this on myself.

Just to clarify, the sharkbite is push to fit, or it also needs a crimp tool? ....uh oh heading down the rabbit hole of DIY videos already....
 
iman29 said:
thanks guys will take all the above into consideration when I am sure I have time to make the 3+ required trips back and forth to the store for said plumbing supplies if I decide to take this on myself.

Just to clarify, the sharkbite is push to fit, or it also needs a crimp tool? ....uh oh heading down the rabbit hole of DIY videos already....
Click to expand...

SharkBite is push to fit, which is helpful when connecting to existing copper to avoid sweating/soldering. Pex crimp would be cheaper than doing all SharkBite with the new fittings, but either would work.

If you're doing it in only 3+ trips, that's way ahead of the game.

Edit: For example, a sharkbite tee ($13):

www.homedepot.com

SharkBite 1/2 in. Push-to-Connect Brass Tee Fitting U362LFA - The Home Depot

SharkBite 1/2 in. Push-to-Connect Brass Tee Fitting is the fastest way to connect PEX, Copper, CPVC, PE-RT, or HDPE pipe in any combination. No soldering, clamps, unions, glue, or special tools required.
www.homedepot.com

A tee for Pex ($3.50):

www.homedepot.com

Apollo 1/2 in. Brass PEX-B Barb Tee APXT12 - The Home Depot

The ApolloPEX 1/2 in. Brass PEX Barb Tee is simple to install. ApolloPEX barb fittings are a key component of the most economical potable water piping systems. Also capable of integration into hydronic
www.homedepot.com
 
ebarker9 said:
SharkBite is push to fit, which is helpful when connecting to existing copper to avoid sweating/soldering. Pex crimp would be cheaper than doing all SharkBite with the new fittings, but either would work.

If you're doing it in only 3+ trips, that's way ahead of the game.

Edit: For example, a sharkbite tee ($13):

www.homedepot.com

SharkBite 1/2 in. Push-to-Connect Brass Tee Fitting U362LFA - The Home Depot

SharkBite 1/2 in. Push-to-Connect Brass Tee Fitting is the fastest way to connect PEX, Copper, CPVC, PE-RT, or HDPE pipe in any combination. No soldering, clamps, unions, glue, or special tools required.
www.homedepot.com

A tee for Pex ($3.50):

www.homedepot.com

Apollo 1/2 in. Brass PEX-B Barb Tee APXT12 - The Home Depot

The ApolloPEX 1/2 in. Brass PEX Barb Tee is simple to install. ApolloPEX barb fittings are a key component of the most economical potable water piping systems. Also capable of integration into hydronic
www.homedepot.com
Click to expand...
gaining confidence here especially on the push to fit approach. thanks.

Lucky for me not only do I have easy access to the valves inside, for each one there is a secondary shutoff a bit further back up the water lines so I dont have to shut the water off to the whole house.

Worst case, when I had my dishwasher replaced last year (i think) the valves on either side of the water meter were old style multi turn and broke off and were replaced professionally with 1/4 turn ball valves so I am set there and can easily turn off the main supply.
 
iman29 said:
So about a week ago turned on the internal valve for the hose bib and of course it’s leaking everywhere. Figured out if I open it all the way and twist it hard it only drips every minute. It’s above the sump pit so no risk of water damage anywhere but I have a bucket under it anyway.

While I can probably reach the valve and replace the washer the real issue is more that both hose bibs (one each side of the house) need to get changed out anyway the outside handles are broken and they leak too.

I’m confident enough I could probably do it myself and get YouTube certified but i would have to go out and buy tools and a torch and for a one time job makes more sense to have someone with experience do it properly. I’d assume the outside and inside all get replaced with quarter turn too.

Both pipes inside are easily accessible from
The Basement which has unfinished ceilings and walls so no risk of messing up floors and Sheetrock.

Anyone on here interested to make a few bucks and some beers ? For the Local plumbers this is too small of a job for them they don’t even call me back.

View attachment 214056View attachment 214057
Click to expand...

They make wall hydrants with a shark bite on the end. They make them up to 20" long. Cut line at valve, pull current. Push in wall hydrant. Cut copper to correct length. Attach and secure

Yt plumber approved
 
Good timing, I have a leak on the shut off valve to the outdoor shower. Never repaired pex before is this a simple repair? Leak is the first pic for the cold supply. Red is similar but was easier to show setup
PXL_20230521_140530452.jpgPXL_20230521_140635325.jpgPXL_20230521_140639427.jpg
 
Well if you get cold or wet feet, call Kevin from Plum Crazy 973-945-4784. I have used him for a few smallish things. Because it’s funner to ride a bike.
 
qclabrat said:
Good timing, I have a leak on the shut off valve to the outdoor shower. Never repaired pex before is this a simple repair? Leak is the first pic for the cold supply. Red is similar but was easier to show setup
View attachment 214092View attachment 214093View attachment 214094
Click to expand...
The PEX repair is easy if you have the tools.

You'll need a shark bite removal tool. A PEX cutting tool. A PEX band cutting tool, a PEX crimp tool, and some pex

Let me know if you need these things
 
shrpshtr325 said:
this job is not hard to do and a torch isnt expensive and is good have around for other stuff too, the hard part is going to be having the water to the house shut off while you do it. (unless they have a secondary cutoff that isolates them from the rest of the house)
Click to expand...
@iman29 I would only add that if you don't have a secondary shut off valve for the outside spigots it would be a good time to add one, just in case 'someone' forgets to disconnect the hose and the temperature drops below freezing point overnight...
 
serviceguy said:
@iman29 I would only add that if you don't have a secondary shut off valve for the outside spigots it would be a good time to add one, just in case 'someone' forgets to disconnect the hose and the temperature drops below freezing point overnight...
Click to expand...
Yup already have those from prev homeowner mentioned a few posts up.

That someone is always me anyway and I am meticulous about the winter shutoff sequence because of the horrible fear of water damage from a burst pipe.
 
Professionals at work. Allegedly.
Working 18" to the side of one ladder running in lag bolts. Might want to turn and move the ladder. But wtf do I know?

24' awning with 13.5' projection. Too big to diy

IMG_4384.jpeg

A an aside, they are reinstalling it after asking what I wanted, ignoring it, and doing what they wanted, even tho the work order called for centered and tight to the soffit, they left justified and set the front edge 7' off the ground.

Cost them at least 16 work hours to correct
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom