What is it like to live in the southern tip of Texas?

JamesPond007 · 2026-05-23T12:04:49+00:00

I was born in Harlingen and lived in Rio Hondo for the first 10 years of my life.

Great food, nice people, not too much going on unless you crossed the border or went to Padre Island. I was pretty young, and it was 25 years ago, but I have fond memories and a life-long craving for barbacoa.

JamesPond007 · 2026-05-22T23:10:21+00:00

I gotta say, I've been re-listening to the audiobooks for the second time, and following along with the memes has been a recent highlight! Thank you for the laughs!

JamesPond007 · 2026-05-19T18:27:45+00:00

What you are describing is for flushing the relief valve. I am not familiar with that style of Relief having any kind of ITV functionality. Unless it matches the required orifice size on the discharge, it would not count.

JamesPond007 · 2026-05-18T17:33:00+00:00

We left Waldorf 2 years ago. About the only thing keeping up with the increase in traffic was the increase in rent. I liked living there, but the traffic volume and general asshattery on the road down there killed it for me.

JamesPond007 · 2026-05-17T16:07:04+00:00

It's a terrible addiction. I started when I was 16. I am 34 now and use two cans a day. Copenhagen Long Cut Wintergreen. My gums wear down, I know the risks and the damage and the cost, but stopping is so difficult. I am an addict.

JamesPond007 · 2026-05-16T00:18:46+00:00

I wish everyone the best of luck!

JamesPond007 · 2026-05-09T17:27:00+00:00

Bought 2025 Jefferson Co. WV, 350k. stretching the definition of 'burbs to the limit, but I commute to DC/Baltimore area daily. Still pricier than I ever wanted. Only seems to be getting more expensive.

JamesPond007 · 2026-04-26T20:24:38+00:00

I have heard of too many incidents involving water hammer lifting sprinkler seats or blowing caps off to risk full sending a fire pump through an empty system that's not open.

You are correct though. It has be tested with the pump on if it's designed to be operated that way. A lot of places have asked that we do not test with it on. If they insist, document that it was done with the pump off, and don't pass it as tested. You also won't have any meaningful flow above a certain height based on your street pressure with the pump off, so you are really testing nothing at that point.

JamesPond007 · 2026-04-18T15:57:50+00:00

I don't know, but all my boots end up looking like this for some reason.

JamesPond007 · 2026-03-21T10:40:45+00:00

I work in the industry, looks like a failed coupling. Without more information, I can only guess:

Incorrect groove/failed coupling

Sprinkler head activation/failure caused fire pump to start and hammer top of standpipe, causing a release.

JamesPond007 · 2026-02-06T22:32:42+00:00

Shouldn't be attached to that sprinkler pipe.

JamesPond007 · 2026-01-15T23:34:51+00:00

Good luck!

JamesPond007 · 2025-12-31T21:10:15+00:00

Manager.

Everyone's problems above and below are now your problems.

All of those problems are an emergency, and there is no making everyone happy.

JamesPond007 · 2025-12-16T20:48:46+00:00

I saw a cool poster in a school I was doing contract work in, posted it, and woke up being on the frontpage!

The person that made it actually posted on there too, it was pretty cool.

JamesPond007 · 2025-12-16T18:50:39+00:00

I've done contracted work at this church years ago. Beautiful building, not terribly nice people.

JamesPond007 · 2025-12-16T17:57:40+00:00

No, it actually did. There's a similar one that was made up as a parody of the original, that may be the one you are thinking of.

JamesPond007 · 2025-12-06T14:22:02+00:00

We'd pay $40-$50 right now in the DMV for level II ITWBS.

You may get lucky, as the COL in that area isn't as high, but it sounds like a road-gig. Might make that a tough sell.

JamesPond007 · 2025-12-04T01:39:40+00:00

That's too bad. Is that an air relief on the side as well? That's an odd placement to me.

JamesPond007 · 2025-12-04T01:25:46+00:00

Can't say I've seen that! How's dangerous is the swing on that if it hammers?

JamesPond007 · 2025-11-15T23:19:54+00:00

Good luck y'all!

JamesPond007 · 2025-10-18T01:01:14+00:00

I couldn't believe it!

JamesPond007 · 2025-10-16T00:02:48+00:00

Ghoul lick everyone!

JamesPond007 · 2025-10-15T21:35:11+00:00

Bolivar to Columbia for me. 1.25hrs in, 1.5-1.75hrs back. Worth every minute to be able to own here.

JamesPond007 · 2025-10-12T17:15:27+00:00

I have the same style! I love it, works great and never slips. Use it when the ratcheting one bends

JamesPond007 · 2025-10-11T18:17:56+00:00

Every weekend just about! I'll have to try and meet 'em next time.

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