May 29 2009
Water Leaks
It was 7:30 pm before we finally gave up and headed for Burger King last night, starving and filthy.
The piping was all finished, but the leak testing was not.
The person who changed out the plumbing had used PVC plastic on all of the in house water lines. PVC is fine for the main line in, but it is rated to only 140 degrees and will soften and come apart if heated above that. It can even balloon and pop if enough heat and pressure is applied.
The reason this lasted as long as it did is the low pressure here from a well system, a 30 year old system. It has been leaking under the kitchen sink for some time without being noticed due to the amount of crap stowed away down there was hiding it very well.
I had to switch the PVC out for heat rated CPVC pipe, which is good for 180 degrees at 100 PSI. By the time I had the leak testing done I was exhausted and with one tiny drip, the water was left on, the water heater turned back on, showers were taken, and that wonderful bed was sought!
The leak is at the kitchen sink hot water valve, and will entail loosening the line to the sink and giving the valve a turn or two to tighten it, I hope….
The same person that installed the water lines moved the water heater and electrical. Upon closer examination he had skinned a wire at the wall and had a bare copper wire waiting for an accident. I am glad I saw that little gem. Especially with a leaky water line in the same hole….
