Small Victories

 I love it when I figure out how to solve my own problems. It doesn't happen all that often that a problem that I have with my house is solved by me without paying someone or calling my son for advice or help. I don't mind paying a handyman on occasion and my son has helped with the things I either can't reach or am not strong enough to do. But, once in a while the magic moment occurs and I can figure out how to fix something or cure a problem on my own.

One ongoing issue I have is with the plumbing in my house.  There are several issues that will require a plumber. I plan to have these taken care of all at once, but not during the pandemic.  They are little problems that can wait.  I need shut offs for my outside faucets.  I have a drip under my master bedroom shower. I keep a tiny bowl under it in my basement. But, the biggest issue is the hot water in the kitchen.

In the kitchen I am lucky to get anything resembling even warm water in the winter.  This is even when I run and run the water.  After the dishwasher has run is the best time to get hot water.  I know that hot water can in fact reach the kitchen because it does after the dishwasher has run.  I hate to waste water.  But, I also hate washing dishes in barely warm water.  I needed a plumber to give me advice.

Then last week I was planning with my grandson in the basement.  It is cold down there, but my grandson loves to organize his "office" down there and check out the various junky things awaiting new homes.  So, I was looking up when I noticed that the foam that was wrapped around the hot water pipes headed out toward the kitchen was not on correctly.  I happened to have a step stool there.  I moved it to the correct alignment.  The next time I tried to get hot water in the kitchen--viola! Hot water.  I solved that problem without the plumber. 

Someday, I will still have a plumber in to take care of my plumbing issues.  I think I can wait until next fall,  I am happy not to be wasting water trying to make it hot.  I am very aware that although there is plenty of water here at the confluence of major rivers, this is a thirsty world. And I was able to solve this problem by myself.