The Hazards of DIY Plumbing

Published December 2003 in Canadian Homes and Cottages Magazine
 

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It didn’t seem that installing a new kitchen sink in my in-law’s house would be much of a problem.  How wrong I was. I’m a calamity magnet, you see.  For instance: I’ve walked into a store and a sign just fell on me.  I should have kept this trait in mind when I took on this task.

 We decided to use plastic water lines since I can’t solder.  We had cut the holes in the wall to pass the water pipes and drain through.  The first part of the job started out easily enough: I measured and pre-cut the drain pipe to fit, which it did.  Under the cupboard I went, solvent in hand to glue the drain pipes together.  I don’t know if it was that everything had been going right up to that point or if it was the fumes; all I know is I began to think that I could do just about any job given me.

 With the drain pipe attached securely, it was time for the real challenge; the two flex water lines.  I turned the water off under the sink using the shut-off valves there.  Next I took a propane torch under there to loosen the solder on the pipe, so I could attach a T- adapter.  It seemed like forever that I had the heat on the valve…it just wouldn’t budge. 

 I set the torch down while I fought the pipe.  You know, it’s easy to be distracted when you’re so focused on a task.  It wasn’t long, though, when I smelled the plastic drain pipe melting. It seems that I put the torch near it.  I quickly pulled it away and looked at the damage done.  Thankfully I took it away before the flame melted through.  I only wanted to do that job once. 

After airing out under the sink I went back to work on the pipe connected to the valve.  Both the valve and I were quite stubborn.  So I did what any guy would do…I turned the heat up more and pulled harder on the pipe.  Oops...