The Bungalow Pit

Replaced the old 3/4″ pipe (that went through four 45˚ turns before heading into the house?!) with a new 1 1/4″ copper pipe—that runs in a straight line. Let the water pressure begin!

I guess we kinda deserve this one. We paid “the gardener” Jose to install irrigation along the South side of the house—even with his less than stellar track record of getting paid to cause more problems. Anyway, after explaining I wanted a drip system, he came back with a plan for spray heads. I luckily had a picture to show him what a drip system looks like—another unheeded warning sign. I asked he treat the clay soil along the house with the compost I’d bought while he’s got the holes dug for the irrigation so I could plant some of the plants I’d purchased for along there.

Long story short, he put in the drip system and hooked it all up to an old bad valve that can’t be turned off—so the system designed to conserve water will drip non-stop. Insult to injury, he planted all the plants, but didn’t treat the clay soil. He did, however, spread tree bark mulch over the top of everything. So, now we have our investment in plants, sitting in clay soil which retains the water, constantly being watered by a drip irrigation system that can’t be turned off, covered with mulch to make sure to keep the excessive water in. I don’t know, time to start looking for another “gardener”?

Today the re-plumbing began. We’ve had no water pressure in the house and the original galvanized pipes have been leaking in places. Some spots, rather than being replaced, have just been patched over and over again. The complete lack of care for the house by the previous owner never ceases to amaze us.

We’re having new 3/4″ copper pipes run throughout the house and looking forward to water pressure.