If you’re a Finding Nemo fan then you’ll remember the scene when Deb the fish is looking for “flo,” which is really just her reflection. The tank is thick with grim and Deb frantically swims about panicked that she can’t find flo. I felt like this the other day. I was a lot less panicked, but nonetheless frustrated. Have you ever had one of those days when you can’t remember how to do something that’s familiar to you? Yesterday was like that for me, yes for me, a co owner of a plumbing company. No, I’m not out in the field, but I have been surrounded by plumbing for over 25 years. As such, I should readily be able to turn on the water to our sprinkler system, but I couldn’t remember which lever to flip.
There I stood in our basement staring at our water line and the two levers that mocked my expertise. I had a fifty-fifty chance.
“Did you turn it on?” Mike asked.
“Yes.”
“What did you turn on?” He retorted.
“The ball valve to the sprinkler system like you asked.”
“Then why is there no water?” He wondered. This was a valid question I must admit. We headed downstairs for a teachable moment. “Rhoda, to ensure the water is on, the lever needs to be “parallel to the flow of the water in the line.”
It clicked: two straight lines! I turned the lever parallel to the line and was satisfied when I heard the swoosh above my head.
It doesn’t make a difference if you have a gate valve or a ball valve they both work the same way. If you have a valve like I have, a ball valve (a lever), you can be certain the water is on if the lever is in line with the pipe or flow of water. If the lever is perpendicular to the pipe, the water is off. If you have a gate valve (a turn able handle), then keep in mind the old saying: Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey.
Next time you’re in a bind this summer, remember the above sayings in addition to, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming…you get the idea!
If you have further questions or needs, call us, Micro Plumbing, Inc. (402) 895-1212 Big or Small We Do It All!!
