The plumber came today to replace the cartridge in the valve on my tub faucet. It took him about half an hour, during which he did the job and also explained to me the many subpar features of this particular style of valve. I secretly wished that the thing was going to be completely shot and that they'd have to replace it with a new valve or set of valves altogether. I was hoping they'd switch it over to the traditional one-for-hot-and-one-for-cold arrangement, but alas. It seems that these valves are not only common but modular, and the whole internal guts of one that is shot can be replaced in one fell swoop.

He had a hell of a time getting the actual knob off the thing though, and he pretty much destroyed it in the process. He didn't have another on hand in his van, so he asked if I'd be around tomorrow so he could bring one by. In the interim he hooked me up with a small wrench since the valve is now fully functional and just missing the knob.

I'm not worried about the wrench, but I am curious to see if the ratio of hot to cold can be better controlled with the new cartridge. I want to take a shower or a bath and see how the new set up performs, but for some reason I'm just too lazy to bother at the moment. Perhaps I'll take a nap instead.

what's on:
"Accidental Fabulousness" (Inverse Room - Pieces for the Left Hand)