Home Improvement Today?

the real answer is that if you don't know, install a shut off, and turn it off!

either you'll never know, or someone's going to be very angry very quickly!

 

If they are scalping water. Screw'm

 

Is Scuff-X a BM product? I've never heard of it before and I need to do something with my risers. My house had the landlord treatment before it was sold and they painted all of the original wood trim a flat white. The paint is now peeling in spots, but the risers are the worst.

 

I had the garage tensioner replaced in my old house when one side broke. The guy that came to replace it had been working on garages for 20+ years and was missing a finger. Bet you can guess why..

 

^this^

In my line of work it is not uncommon to come across an unmarked network cable that just disappears into a wall or ceiling. I've gone to all kinds of trouble tracking down a line, only to find it cut off. Now, I just disconnect them and wait to see if anyone yells.

 

Yeah it’s made by BM:
https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us...alog/ussxil/ultra-spec-scuff-x-interior-latex

I had to go to a legit BM dealer to get it, though, and it cost me nearly $100/gal. Ace Hardware and Jerry’s (it’s like an expensive locally owned Home Depot) didn’t carry it.

 

Wow. And I thought buying Valspar was bad!

 

Update to the mystery water line: I asked the lady next door and she couldn’t recall there ever being a sprinkler system or anything like that out back, but was very certain the house had always been on city water and not a well.

I did some digging and sure enough the pipe comes out the other side into what appears to be some sort of valve, and proceeds further away from the house. There was remnants of a plastic box surrounding the valve. It’s definitely 3/4” pipe and I could only make out that it was schedule 40 pipe. Anything other markings were beyond my eyesight. I’d love to know where this goes but really don’t want to dig up my yard just for curiosity. It’s about 5” below ground level where it exits and slopes down to about 9” where I stopped digging.

At this point I’m considering just having it cut off and re-solder the copper so it’s all one piece, which I think a couple of you had suggested.

 

Uppers completed!



Gonna be a couple weeks till I can tackle the lowers. Those should be easier as I don't have to go up and down a ladder. Well, I do have to pull the fridge out...

 

5" isnt much for frost, i dont know what your minimum is there. Is the valve on?

 

Or close it see if someone starts yelling

Its either coming from a cistern/well or might going to someone elses property maybe?

 

is it the remnants of a PRV ?

 

Yeah Scuff-x is expensive and so is BM Aura. Both triple digits. I did my whole office (cabinets, trim, walls, etc.) with Sherwin Williams Emerald and that stuff was also in the $100 range. Can’t say it’s the best paint as far as layout goes, but the color is really good. Color depth is usually what you’re paying for I guess if it’s not a speciality paint like Scuff-X. Regular ol shades of white and gray don’t need expensive paint. Moody shades of blue, green, red, etc. go for the top shelf.

 

That’s what I thought too.
Looks kind of like a regulator to me?

 

I think this qualifies as Home Improvement. While wife was out Xmas shopping with MIL, took it upon myself to replace the tree topper with a re-purposed leg lamp night light. I give it till noon tomorrow before one of them notices.

 

Wow, nice refresh! I like that you left the window frame varnished, nice contrast.

 

Is this by chance the lowest point in the plumbing system? If so this could be a master drain for the house. Was it ever used as a seasonal dwelling?

You could cap it off or locate an outdoor faucet higher on the wall if wanted, you have the tap in the water line already there.

 

Aside from the septic drain and hvac drain lines, yes it’s the lowest point in the plumbing system. It was not a seasonal dwelling. She lived there from 1969-2020. Tomorrow I’ll try to see if the valve will even turn (and if anything happens afterwards). I’ll probably end up taking it off that supply line and cap it. I’ve got a spigot on each side of the house so no real need for another one.

One other wild guess from left field…is it possible that line was put in when the house was being built for the brick masons to have water before the spigot lines were run? Obviously it’s below ground now but that would’ve been dug out back then. Just a thought.

 

That PVC is too new to be something the masons used when the house was built. Make sure you get a cap or plug the size you need to stick in that copper before you attempt to turn that valve. Turning that old valve might result in a serious "oh shit" moment