January 19, 2009

• Need to Learn Some New Skillz …

  The fun part about being a homeowner is trying to make sure the home is nice, safe and functional.  I knew when I bought the house there was this “banging” in the pipes.  I figured it should be an easy fix.  I’ve read about finding where the pipe is vibrating against something as water flows through it.  All you need to do is get a U-bracket and brace it.  That’s sorta the case.  The hot water is basically causing the pipes to expand and contract and therefore, forcing the pipe to bang.  Unfortunately, the plumber and I couldn’t really locate it without ripping out the drywall and tracing the actual pipe.  Seemingly that’s something I think I can do.  It just means there’ll be a ton of holes in the wall until I can find the exact spot.

  Since the plumber was here I wanted him to take a look at another issue.  Being as strong as Chewy is she ripped off the cold water faucet stem a month or so ago causing water to go everywhere.  I was able to turn off the water from under the faucet but as I went to replace the stem I found a design flaw in the faucet structure.  This meant to me that I wanted to replace the faucet head but I couldn’t actually turn off the hot water valve.  So since the plumber was there I wanted to see if he could do so.  Unfortunately, he couldn’t without breaking the valve off.  So the only solution was to replace the on/off valve which was more than I think it should cost.  Especially after watching in basically turn a few bolts to remove the old one and replaced it with a new one.  Now I’m pretty sure I can do the same. 

  This leads me to believe that I need to learn some more basic plumbing skills along with other home improvement stuff.  Mostly because I don’t know of anyone in those trades.  It’s amazing, since I work with computers that I tend to get asked various computer questions.  People think that for some reason those who work in the computer field know every aspect of both hardware, software and troubleshooting.  That’s probably not true and for the most part all I ever do is just “google” the problem.  I’m pretty sure most people know about google and know how to use it yet they still feel the need to ask those of us in the field.  I know for my co-workers they never help anyone with their computers outside of work because they simply don’t want to be bothered with becoming the free tech support for life.  I think in my mind I’m slowly moving to that mindset.

  Why?  It’s maybe about being bothered with constant I-D10-t questions that not only I get from work and then from all aspects of life.  But I know for myself if I know people of a particular field I try and not bother them for free advice.  Several of my high school buddies are medical doctors but I feel awkward in asking them for free advice about stuff.  Plus I know for a fact that several (not my high school friends) doctors that I know will not give out advice and they just tell others to see their own physician.  I’m guessing it’s because they don’t want to be liable or something.  Still I think, at least in dealing with computers, there are plenty of folks who know about this stuff yet they just tend to shy away from wanting to help others. 

  Knowing myself, the thought of stopping will just be that.  A thought.  I personally think it’s nice to help people who you call friends or family.  Even if I’m missing the family dinner because I’m working on a problem.  Then again, sometimes I find it better to be with the computer than to socialize.  Yeah, tragic flaw I’m sure.

  I’m just wondering why people don’t extend themselves and their particular skills out more?

  • 10:09 am
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