Wonder why technology has not made this a remote possibility? We can send capsules into space, impervious to space junk, and can't build a rustless water heater? My childhood train set, stored on basement floor, was destroyed by failed water heater...my brother's similar set, up on a shelf, was unscathed
I started a layout tear down/rebuild last spring. We decided to do windows, siding, and roof this summer. My gutters were off when we got a 7" rain. I got about an inch of water in the basement. Everything on the floor got piled on my train table and some drywall had to go. Last weekend I was able to put the furniture back and started removing stuff from top of my once layout. I'm going to be another weekend getting stuff off and sorted before I can start the rebuild. Basements are great to collect stuff you don't need, hobbies, and give you extra worry.
I have replace hundreds of water damaged floors over 42 years of flooring. If the water damage was sudden/burst in nature, homeowners insurance will cover replacement. The failed appliance is not covered, just the damage. Slow leaks are not covered.
My most expensive loss was $52,000 due to a second floor burst which lasted over a weekend and wiped out most everything on the first floor.
Take photos, do not rush the replacement, get the claims adjuster out A.S.A.P. Save the failed appliance.
Caution, insurance repair crews frequently will replace premium flooring with substandard but attractive flooring material and minimum wage workmanship.
Had a water flood with a left on sink faucet by an elderly parent. Servpro came in and did a fine job.....good as new.
Hot water heater
MartyE posted:A leaking toilet hose has put off my layout building for 3 years while I saved up to replace the floor. This happened in the basement but the previous owners had carpet down there that I had to remove. The good news is the floor went in in early October and after Christmas the new permanent layout will begin. I now keep that toilet off unless we have company over. My next step is to install a monitor and shut off valve. I hate water.
After the carpet was pulled.
New floor. Just need some ceiling work and paint.
That looks great Marty. It really ties the whole room together nicely!
Sorry to hear about the ware damage. I just replaced our "hot water maker" yesterday. I have a floor drain and leak sensor. Also frequent trips to the auxiliary refrigerator in the same room helped with the most recent leakage. Have shutoff valves on in and out lines with unions. Pull out old unit remove pipe stubs, install in new heater slide under supply and outlet lines, tighten unions, connect electric supply, turn on water feed and check for leaks and good to go. I keep saying I'm going to go tankless, but the circumstances require a replacement heater. This one was still under warranty. Thankfully your damage was minimal. My brother woke up to about a foot of water in his basement once.
Every time I see the title to this thread, I catch myself wondering what happened to Jack . . . .
Couple of housekeeping tips:
Each time we reset a commode we use a new SS braided line with a loop to eliminate stress on the fitting. Usually a 20+" line. Avoid a neat looking short line, no margin for bowl movement. When starting the nut, carefully be centering the hose on the seat as you tighten to ensure a correct seal.
Do not over tighten the bowl nut otherwise you may have a problem with the float. On standard commodes it does not hurt to replace the float valve. Always check finished flange height.
Extra thick wax ring with a horn and 5/16" (not 1/4") flange bolts make the job complete.
MartyE posted:
Nice set of the Kelvin-timeline Star Trek film posters you've got there!
Tom Tee posted:Couple of housekeeping tips:
Each time we reset a commode we use a new SS braided line with a loop to eliminate stress on the fitting. Usually a 20+" line. Avoid a neat looking short line, no margin for bowl movement. When starting the nut, carefully be centering the hose on the seat as you tighten to ensure a correct seal.
Do not over tighten the bowl nut otherwise you may have a problem with the float. On standard commodes it does not hurt to replace the float valve. Always check finished flange height.
Extra thick wax ring with a horn and 5/16" (not 1/4") flange bolts make the job complete.
Sound advice. Nothing worse though then having the PVC floor ring break where the bolts go through, especially when there isn't much left of the floor to attach a brass ring, most often with a masonry floor that the hole is too big or deteriorated.
Google "closet flange repair" products and videos. Many ways to correct flange problems.
Anyone remember the early coaches when you look down the toilet you see the ballast and ties? Another reason not to walk the tracks as a kid. Circa 1950's Pennsylvania Reading Seashore lines.
I remember the sign instructing not to use the commode while in a station.
Tom Tee posted:Anyone remember the early coaches when you look down the toilet you see the ballast and ties? Another reason not to walk the tracks as a kid. Circa 1950's Pennsylvania Reading Seashore lines.
I remember the sign instructing not to use the commode while in a station.
Passengers will please refrain
From flushing toilets while the train
Is in the station. Darling, I love you!
We encourage constipation
While the train is in the station
Moonlight always makes me think of you.
If you wish to pass some water,
kindly call the pullman porter,
He'll place a vessel in the vestibule.
If the porter isn't here,
Try the platform in the rear-
The one in front is likely to be full.
If the woman's room be taken,
Never feel the least forsaken,
Never show a sign of sad defeat.
Try the men's room in the hall,
And if some man has had the call,
He'll courteously relinquish you his seat.
If these efforts all are vain,
Then simply break a window pane-
This novel method used by very few.
We go strolling through the park
Goosing statues in the dark,
If Sherman's horse can take it, why can't you?
What cabooses will be for sale?
Slugger posted:MartyE posted:
Nice set of the Kelvin-timeline Star Trek film posters you've got there!
Thanks! I got some TOS Series Movie posters too. When your son works at a movie theater it's easier to snag these. Eventually these will go upstairs and be replaced by some train pictures.
Invest in water wings?
colorado hirailer posted:Wonder why technology has not made this a remote possibility? We can send capsules into space, impervious to space junk, and can't build a rustless water heater? My childhood train set, stored on basement floor, was destroyed by failed water heater...my brother's similar set, up on a shelf, was unscathed
Hi all,
I just caught this topic, and I was particularly taken by the note from “Colorado Highrailer.”
Not long after my Dad decided I was old enough to take care of them, he transferred possession of three sets of American Flyer trains, some extra rolling stock and a few accessories that he had acquired into my care.
My brother and I would set them all up an a 9’ x 12’ area rug in our basement recreation room. He and I slept in a bedroom next door, and early one morning our dog came into the bedroom barking and jumped up on the bed. We then saw water seeping through the bedroom door. When we ran out of the room we could see water coming out of the bathroom and adjacent laundry room.
Fortunately, the water was just beginning to surround the rug with the trains on it, and the edge of the rug was still absorbing the initial flow. We quickly gathered up the trains, track, switches, accessories and other toys making up the layout and stacked them on the couch and a nearby table and chairs. None of those items had yet been touched by the water, although one of the empty set master cartons that we had left on the bare linoleum floor was ruined.
It turned out that an improperly installed backflow device allowed storm water to back up and come into the house through the basement shower and floor drains. Ultimately about 2” to 3” of water filled the basement, but none of the trains or related items even got wet and remain in my collection today.
From recent personal experience, I agree that along with water heaters and toilet and washer supply lines, be very aware of refrigerator ice maker supply lines, too.
Cheers,
Alan
Brother Love
Sorry to hear about the water catastrophe.
Lots of good advice to hopefully minimizing the damage in a future scenario
Hope things get back to normal for you asap
Al
Will any of these cabooses be for sale? I could handle a CoG or L&N.
Brother Love, you need to treat yourself and build a chapel car. A few really neat examples and a few of them still exist in museums.
