Pumps Pipes and All That Kind of Stuff

It has been mentioned that there was a plumbing situation over at the Old Place.  And it had been that way for a long time.

It was not completely a P-Factor thing, but it must be admitted that the P-Factor did figure into it.

Just a brief refresher here.

Way back in February, it was discovered that the well pump had failed.  But of course with the Topsail Trip coming up there was no point in worrying about it then.  After all, the place is only used occasionally, and has a good back-up system-

A bucket and rope!

But the problem needed to be addressed.

So the Fuzz began planning.  It really shouldn't be difficult.  He would just order a new pump and fix a couple of other small issues while he was at it.

A new pump was ordered.  But whilst researching this online, he came across something interesting.

"There are certain types of bacteria called “anaerobic bacteria” that can grow where air does not touch the water. If your well has this kind of bacteria in it, the bacteria can start to grow once it gets inside the bladder since that water is not touching air. This bacteria is usually harmless..."

"... There are only two real solutions here: 1) Install a “contact tank” with a chlorine dosing system. This type of system injects a small amount of chlorine into the water as it comes into the house. The chlorine kills off the bacteria so it can’t grow in your tank.  2) Switch back to the older technology of an air-over-water standard tank. In that kind of tank the air touches the water and this anaerobic bacteria cannot grow."

Well, there had been "stinky" water over there for some years.  In fact, The Fuzz and His Sweetie had been bringing good well water from the woods for drinking.

Solution 1 was definitely out.

Solution 2 looked good.  That had been the original type tank, and there was no stinky water then.

And it had been replaced with the new type!

But it seems that the Home Improvement Store no longer sells the old school tanks - even though they carry pumps from the same manufacturer.

(like the one purchased by The Fuzz!)

However The Fuzz was able to order the tank from someone out here in the country.

Of course this meant a bit more delay.

Which turned into even more when the company sent the wrong stuff!

But it finally came, and all the stuff made it over to the house.

The old pump and tank were cut loose.

And the new ones were moved in...

And put together.

All the pipes and wiring were hooked back up.

Then it was time to fire the thing up.

Alas.

The Fuzz wasted a lot of time trying to get that thing primed and pumping.  Finally, he gave up.

To be continued...

Not Pumped

It has probably been mentioned here before that The Fuzz and His Sweetie have a routine of taking turns at spending one night a week back over at the Old Place.

They find that it is conducive to maintaining their sanity since The Fuzz's retirement.

This week it was The Fuzz's turn.

When he got there, he made a quick test of the kitchen sink.  The water came on fine -

But then slowly lost pressure and quit.

Needless to say, this was not a good thing.

While he could not hear the pump (which is under the kitchen) running, he did hear a hum somewhere down there.

It was time to take a look.

It was kinda dark down there.

But Our Fuzz had no trouble detecting the source of the sound.

The motor was not turning.

So was the problem the motor - or pump?

Either way, the thing was broke!

Here's a better look.

These things don't last forever of course.

Some years ago, The Fuzz had replaced the pump.  And to be honest about it, he did not get the High-Dollar-Top-Of-The-Line one.

(He's kinda cheap like that)

And then, a couple of years ago, he had to replace the tank.

(Which is why it is all shiny and new looking)

Well, it looks like it's time for another new pump!

But that project will have to wait for now.

So for the time being, it's back to the old Bucket & Rope!

The Fuzz's Excellent Motorcycle Adventure 2

Well, The Fuzz was finally on the road.  It was beginning to get light by now, but there were a few patches of fog as he rode though the country.
He had already decided against the Parkway.  It would just take too long.  The goal for this first day was Charlottesville Virginia.

He took mostly back roads passing through the South Mountains on his way to Lenoir.  This was the route we used to take years ago on the way to Boone.
And Our Fuzz was intending to pass through Boone, where he hoped to pick up US 221.
The ride was going well, although it was a bit cool.
He planned on topping off the gas tank at Lenoir.
On the way he stopped briefly at the Castle Bridge which crosses the Catawba River and Lake Rhodhiss.  The Fuzz and His Sweetie used to take the canoe up here sometimes for a swim and picnic.

 There was a bit of fog on the lake that morning, so he stopped for a couple pix.  Then, it was back on the road.
By the time he made it to Lenoir, he was freezing his tush off.

So he stopped for a cup of coffee, and pulled some warmer clothes out of his pack.
Back on the road, he sucked it up and took the 4 lane 321 up the mountain toward Boone, NC.
This is a pretty good climb, and our Fuzz was running with the traffic, so the bike was a little hot by the time he made it to Blowing Rock.

That was where he ran into the construction.  It was also where he became aware of the problem with his clutch.
The thing just wouldn't release.  This was a bit of a problem here in this stop and go traffic.
After a bit of starting in gear, and stalling the engine, the thing stated to work - barely.  So he made it into Boone, and stopped to check the fluid.  

He did add a bit, but it didn't seem low enough to cause a problem.  It was time to make a decision.

The Fuzz pulled into the Bojangles, got himself a

biscuit and some coffee, and sat down to think things over.  Should he abort?
Well, the clutch was working again, if poorly.  And he wasn't sure he could trust it.  But he had come this far.  And after all, this was an Adventure!  In the end he decided to press on, for better or for worse.

Near Disaster Cont.

Here's the latest on The Fuzz's Near Disaster.

The hand is still not quite back to 100% of course.  But it is healing nicely.  It was initially dressed with Honey.  The bandage is soaked off and changed every day.  The wound is treated daily with His Sweetie's Special Blend of Healing Oil, which works wonders.  We anticipate a full recovery, although there will likely be an ugly scar.  But, so what.
Another result of this Near Disaster has been the replacement of the crummy come-a-long, with a first rate model from the Tractor Supply.

Here's a look at the old, and the new.

The Fuzz's spiffy new come-a-long is loaded with features.

This is a heavier duty job all around.  The Hooks and cable are stronger.  And the sprocket should be as well.  It has a more positive locking mechanism, working on both sides of the spool. And the block will double the capacity, in this instance , up to 2 tons!
The fuzz scrapped the old one, saving the useful stuff, and throwing the rest where it belongs - the scrap bin.

Moving Day

This  weekend The Fuzz and the whole family met to celebrate the wedding of the Younger Son and His New Bride.  It was an excellent affair.  But that is not what this post is about.

The subject at hand is moving a piano.

Some years ago, there was a group effort to move a piano up into a second story apartment.  If anyone wishes to be reminded of this, they can click HERE (1) (2) (3).

But of course that is all in the past.  Yet, as it has been said, "What goes up, must come down".  And so that time had come.  And this time it was not The Fuzz's problem.  After all, he's retired.

Any project like this requires planning, and the proper equipment.  (More will be said on this subject later)  In a situation like this, which requires lowering a huge (and heavy) object down a flight of stairs will benefit from any type of mechanical advantage.  And so a close friend of the owner made up this impressive set of blocks for the occasion.

The first task was to get the thing out of the apartment.  This was accomplished with little trouble.

In this shot we can see preparations being made for the next critical step in this operation.

The blocks were attached, the rope secured, and the piano was slowly guided down tis specially designed system of ramps.  Now we were safely on ground level.

Of course it was still necessary to get the thing onto the truck.  Here you can see this flexible ramp system reconfigured for this purpose.  The steps in the walkway were utilized to eliminate the need to lift the thing up into the truck.  It was simply rolled on, and strapped down securely.

One does not want something like this sliding around back there once on the road.

Naturally, getting the thing into it's new home presented it's own challenges.  The truck was backed up to the doorway, and once again, the ramp used to move it to the porch.  Note the dolly at the arrow.  The key to moving a piano is a good dolly.  Unfortunately this was not a good dolly.

Unfortunately, there are not any pix of this next phase of the move.  As the piano was being pulled up the ramp, one wheel slipped off of the ramp.  While the piano did not fall, the dolly broke.  It seems that plastic is not the best material for this sort of task. 

The piano was successfully moved the rest of the way up the ramp where the dolly was reinforced with a piece of plywood.

Here it can be seem in the tight quarters at the top of the last flight of stairs.

And finally in it's new home after an adventurous move.  

Here's a look at the equipment that did not fail.

And what did.

This will be going back to the Home Improvement Store, with a complaint!