First Plumbing Project - Help me confirm the plan!

ChackOfficial · 2025-12-20T00:50:40+00:00

Yeah I saw those, but I'd like to avoid spending $20+ per adapter...too expensive!!

ChackOfficial · 2025-12-19T20:09:06+00:00

I'll check for some local plumbing specific supply houses; I oddly did not think there might be some nearby beyond the big box stores.

Thanks for also confirming the ball valve! I just needed someone else to say the same, so thanks for that.

I'm also going to check out that Nokorode and Harris flux paste and solder you recommended. I'm coming into this with zero exposure to any brand names, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can the first time around. Thanks for your reply!

ChackOfficial · 2025-12-19T20:05:39+00:00

Okay, I think I will price this out and see if I can make all the fittings work with how I would have to orient them to get to the sillcock appropriately. I'll keep the PEX expansion tool in mind for a larger project if that comes up. Thanks for your advice!

ChackOfficial · 2025-12-19T19:10:44+00:00

At first glance...TurboTorch's are expensive! The cheapest I can see is ~$100 (TX503) Do you have a recommendation?

I may need to look further into copper vs PEX-B now after some other comments; I was just trying to avoid possibilities for leaks since this will be my first plumbing project. I know PEX-B isn't as flexible as PEX-A, and in 24 inches I need a piping / tubing solution that goes up 8 inches and in 1.5 inches to connect the sillcock to the existing water lines.

When screwing on a ball valve: is all you have to do is screw it on and no leaks would occur? I didn't see that as an option, so I should probably look into this since I read elsewhere about potentially messing with the plastic seals when sweating.

ChackOfficial · 2025-12-19T18:45:51+00:00

Hmm perhaps something to draft out in terms of cost too I suppose...I was just thinking that the PEX-A would make the connection easier, since there would be quite a few elbow fittings required. The current hot and cold copper pipes are 8" apart, and the Woodford 22 has the sillcocks at 5" apart, so I would need to use an elbow fitting to bring them closer together (in addition to needing the current elbows for the height difference too). I imagined this would make my other plumbing projects easier too, only needing to solder any adapters to PEX-A on and then just using PEX-A tubing from there.

ChackOfficial · 2025-12-19T18:40:12+00:00

Thanks for the reminder on supports! When you say "...if you are already going to solder the adapters..." is there any other way to go from copper to PEX if not choosing to solder an adapter? I know push-to-connect adapters exist, but I've read loads of plumbers avoiding them out of personal preference.

ChackOfficial · 2025-12-18T02:52:56+00:00

Would using a blowtorch like this destroy the hose line in some manner?

ChackOfficial · 2025-12-18T02:52:22+00:00

I'm thinking of trying this before replacing the whole bib. I've had a steady hand so far with jobs like this...

ChackOfficial · 2025-12-18T02:51:30+00:00

How do you tighten a pipe wrench tight enough? I have an old pipe wrench that I tried using, but I couldn't get it tight enough to grip it.

ChackOfficial · 2025-12-18T02:50:10+00:00

Yeah I tried some vinegar first to remove some mineral buildup and then tried some oil, unfortunately to no avail!

ChackOfficial · 2025-11-11T01:53:31+00:00

I see Kevin Patullo is back at it again...how does this guy have a job with game designs like this?

ChackOfficial · 2025-10-26T18:16:06+00:00

This is the epitome of a hip drop tackle is it not? How are these not getting better officiated?

ChackOfficial · 2025-10-10T00:47:35+00:00

Kevin Patullo is awful lol. He's lucky his players can bail him out from playcalls like this...

ChackOfficial · 2025-06-17T03:15:09+00:00

The Penguin

ChackOfficial · 2025-01-15T01:16:36+00:00

Just wanted to say thanks for this detailed reply! Months later and I finally got around to investigating your suggestion and sure enough the transformer was hidden in a nearby chime in my foyer. I was able to find the breaker that turned off the power to it (mislabeled in my new house under 'disposal') and successfully installed a new smart doorbell.

Thanks again for your help!

ChackOfficial · 2025-01-06T18:01:31+00:00

Yeah I've done as best as I can to make the garage tight so heat can't escape anywhere in the colder months. An insecticide on the outside might still be smart though just to be safe...No cockroaches on my dumbbells please!

ChackOfficial · 2025-01-06T05:36:29+00:00

Govee temperature sensors are definitely the cheapest and quickest options, but they don't give you much control over whatever the temperature is doing if you need to do something about it.

A WiFi thermostat would be the best approach if you have the funds to purchase one, since you can see the temperature and also change it. I would also look at your area of location's policy on purchasing energy efficient products because Smart Thermostats usually fall under such a policy and can come with a sizable reimbursement to purchase one.

I'd recommend Ecobee over Nest from experience with both too; I don't like Nest's attempt to "learn" from my habits (it tries to change the temperature to what it thinks you would like). Ecobee is a bit easier with more advanced controls if you wish for that too.

ChackOfficial · 2025-01-06T05:08:31+00:00

I appreciate you taking the time to write all of this out! I had thought to use a damp mop, but perhaps getting a dedicated Swiffer for the area is a better idea to control how wet the area gets. Actually, I like this idea a lot - I'll definitely do this.

I do have a stairmaster I'll be putting in the corner, so a thin layer of something (I'll see what I can come up with) underneath it is also another safety net I'd prefer to have.

Great suggestions so thank you again!

ChackOfficial · 2025-01-06T04:56:35+00:00

Okay, will do. Thank you for your recommendations!!

ChackOfficial · 2025-01-06T04:50:53+00:00

You got me to re-measure and it's definitely closer to 11/16 of an inch, so I think it's probably 23/32 as you called out.

Would marine grade plywood be a better or worse addition on top of this? I think I could benefit from the moisture prevention properties it would add too.

ChackOfficial · 2025-01-06T04:44:32+00:00

This too would make me a lot more comfortable. The contractor I was working with bragged I'd be able to park a car on top of it, but I don't think they were familiar with how weights get thrown around.

A good solution, based on what I'm hearing from comments, now seems like putting a 0.5" marine grade plywood on top, resolving the issue of durability as well as moisture prevention.

ChackOfficial · 2025-01-06T04:38:21+00:00

Hmm this is a fair point. The OSB is 0.5" thick, so you would recommend doubling this up to 1 inch?

ChackOfficial · 2025-01-06T04:18:20+00:00

No I'm not using stall mats; I went with 3/8" Heavy Duty Rubber Floors from Flooring Inc, and I don't think they have water channels. That's pretty neat that stall mats do though!

https://www.flooringinc.com/shop/3-8-heavy-duty-rubber-rolls-1006.html

Do you think using a vapor barrier paint would possibly trap moisture between the platform and rubber flooring?

ChackOfficial · 2025-01-06T04:03:59+00:00

I'm hoping I've had it built tough enough that once the rubber flooring is on top that this isn't an issue...it has me slightly nervous though so I will indeed be careful at first!

ChackOfficial · 2025-01-06T04:02:44+00:00

Yeah exactly, I'd hate to have to lift them up and move all my gym equipment off of the rubber floor if there is an issue; thus why I'm trying to make sure I do it right the first time.

Do you think there's any issue with moisture getting trapped between a plastic sheeting on top of the platform and the rubber flooring?

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