fishsticks72
New Member
Hi all-
Over the winter, my frost-free silcock went out thanks to my stupidly forgetting to remove the brass Y fitting outside (genius remembered to remove the hose, though). There's a nice split right down the middle of the silcock, so it has to come out.
I'm very handy, but I'm no plumber and I don't play one on TV, so I'm going to leave this one for a pro. My question is - just how much access does someone need to get that old fitting removed and a new one on there? I opened up the wall nearby, to see if it the previous owner used the threaded connection to screw on the silcock, I figured I'd be able to unscrew it and replace. Not only isn't it screwed on, but it's in the most inaccessible location imaginable. The previous owner finished the basement, and they boxed in this plumbing very tight - I'd be surprised if after cracking open the wall on the other side you'd be able to get much more than one arm and a propane torch in there.
The really annoying part is that the whole setup was done completely wrong, from what little I know about it. That boxed in area wasn't insulated, defeating the purpose of having the silcock in the first place (the second I poked some holes I was greeted by nice cold air). There was no slope to the pipe, so water wouldn't drain out anyway.
Finally - any idea what I should be expecting labor-wise? I'm not looking to nickel and dime anyone, but I feel like at worst 2-3 hours of work should get this one done. Is that fair, or am I underestimating things?
Thanks in advance for any advice...
Over the winter, my frost-free silcock went out thanks to my stupidly forgetting to remove the brass Y fitting outside (genius remembered to remove the hose, though). There's a nice split right down the middle of the silcock, so it has to come out.
I'm very handy, but I'm no plumber and I don't play one on TV, so I'm going to leave this one for a pro. My question is - just how much access does someone need to get that old fitting removed and a new one on there? I opened up the wall nearby, to see if it the previous owner used the threaded connection to screw on the silcock, I figured I'd be able to unscrew it and replace. Not only isn't it screwed on, but it's in the most inaccessible location imaginable. The previous owner finished the basement, and they boxed in this plumbing very tight - I'd be surprised if after cracking open the wall on the other side you'd be able to get much more than one arm and a propane torch in there.
The really annoying part is that the whole setup was done completely wrong, from what little I know about it. That boxed in area wasn't insulated, defeating the purpose of having the silcock in the first place (the second I poked some holes I was greeted by nice cold air). There was no slope to the pipe, so water wouldn't drain out anyway.
Finally - any idea what I should be expecting labor-wise? I'm not looking to nickel and dime anyone, but I feel like at worst 2-3 hours of work should get this one done. Is that fair, or am I underestimating things?
Thanks in advance for any advice...
