Some random images from our trip to the cabin over spring break. Thawing creeks, frozen deck, west Texas wind turbine, and fun in the snow.

Water Woes

Spring break 2010 was a trip to the cabin in the Hills. we needed some R&R. The weather has been beautiful. It was mid 50's today and they say tomorrow will be the first day to hit 60° in Rapid City since last Thanksgiving. No one seems to care that 6-8" of snow are predicted for Friday.
But for now, heaven.
We spent the morning scraping sap that has oozed out of the logs over the last few summers. It is time to re-stain the south and west walls. It has been 4 years since the initial coat.
But the real story at the cabin has been the water woes. Whenever we close up the house, we never know what we will find when we return. Since it dips to -20-40° below 0° here at times, we must drain the water pipes. No big deal. I've got it down to a science.
But lets count the small problems that we encountered this March.

1. Hot water heater didn't work. Turns out an element was bad. It was under warranty but the parts were 20 miles away and I had to drain the tank to get to it.
2. Kitchen sink leaks at the drain. I know I am the one who installed the sink. Plumbers putty just ain't what it used to be.
3. Downstairs bathroom toilet would not stop running on. Bad valve. Again, parts 20 miles away.
4. Kitchen faucet leaks at the hand sprayer whenever you turn the water on. This is the same sprayer that we replaced last year under warranty.
5. Washing machine was spraying water as soon as I turned on the power. Then when I got that shut off, it would not fill up with water even when I turned it on. Turns out when I drained the water pipes last fall, I switched the hot/cold hoses and yadda, yadda, yadda.

So is that enough water woes for one day? Let's hope things dry up.