Repairs

Water Supply to Greenhouse - Fixed.

This winter, We did not run heat in the greenhouse.  One evening after a heavy snow followed by a sunny day, I went out to the Batcave and heard this odd "shhhhhh" sound.  It sounded like it was coming from the neighbor's back yard, so I walked towards the sound.  As I got closer, I realized it was coming from the greenhouse.  I opened the door and humid air wafted out.  I turned on the light and discovered a flooded greenhouse.  Inside the greenhouse, there is a spigot, fed by a plastic pipe coming up from the ground.  The joint where the plastic connected to the brass fixture was cracked and water was spewing out of it.  It had frozen and cracked the night before, and the sunny day had warmed it enough to melt, and a fountain ensued.  The glass was covered with mist, and the sunken floor of the greenhouse was flooded with 6 inches of water.  I had not idea where the cutoff was located, but I guessed that a good place to start was the house, which meant crawlspace.  No a fun proposition in the snow.  I got the crawlspace "door" popped open, got partially in there, and started shining a flashlight around.  I saw water pipes going to the corner of the house closest to the greenhouse...a place where there is no water in the house, followed the pipe back, and found the cutoff valve right above me.  Sweet.  Fountain stopped. 

New hose inside greenhouse. 

Well, I'm not exactly the most conscientious homeowner.  I procrastinate.  A lot.  So, I've been using the rain barrel and a watering can to keep the greenhouse plants hydrated.  No big.  However, the watering can method will be a serious pain in the ass for watering the garden.  The water supply in the greenhouse feeds the garden.  With seed and plants going in, I had to fix it.  So, a little hacksawing, a little trip to Home Depot, a little expert advice about CPVC and regular PVC, $3 for the part I needed, $12 for the purple primer and CPVC glue, and we're back in business.  I bought a 15 foot hose, and hooked it up to the splitter and one of Mr. Collins' watering wands.  Water for the greenhouse, water for the garden.  Done.