A Simple Dream: Running Water in the Kitchen

The kitchen faucet had been dripping for several months now. My best recollection is that it began dripping in early November, just as my husband and I were attempting to leave on a fall backpacking trip.

You know how it goes. For a while, you can stop the drip just by messing with the faucet handle. And we didn't want to call a plumber but we didn't know how to fix it ourselves. So for a few months, we fussed with the faucet.

About a week ago, even that didn't help. It began dripping constantly, so we put containers under it to catch the water so we didn't waste any. But Friday night, when I washed dishes in the sink, the hot water was gushing and wouldn't turn off!

So finally it was time to do something. We had no other choice. My husband turned off the water under the sink and with my help, removed the old faucet assembly, which was a way bigger pain than we expected. Argh, to be without running water in the kitchen sink for the weekend!

Saturday afternoon, we ran errands in town. Among them was a stop at Home Depot. We consulted with the guy in plumbing, who was very knowledgeable and helpful. With his assistance, we picked out a new faucet ($49 for a Delta faucet with a lifetime warranty), some new water lines, and plumber's putty.

Sunday morning, my husband (aka Mr. Strong Hands) installed the new faucet and water lines. The only parts I helped with were running errands to bring him things, and rolling up the plumber's putty which we placed beneath the base of the new faucet before tightening it.

In slightly more than an hour, the task was done, and my kitchen sink was back in business. Hooray! My husband reported that the installation was WAY easier than the removal of the defective part. One of the tricks was that we needed two different lengths of water lines (fortunately, we'd bought an assortment, a few of which will need to go back). Total cost of repair: $68.80 plus labor.

You know how it is when you've had a thing you should have dealt with a long time ago: the procrastination, the frustration, the relief when it's finally handled, the feeling of accomplishment when you've done it yourself. Yeah, we experienced all of that!

Yes, I took pictures when we were done. There is my kitchen sink with the new faucet installed. Out the window is a view of our deck and tiny woods; this is what I look at when I'm washing dishes. The ivy plant, by the way, we've had for 20 years or more, and it's growing in plain water. (Did you know some varieties of ivy can live hundreds of years?)

There are places in the world where clean, fresh water is hard to come by. So we are grateful. Sometimes it's the most important things that one often takes for granted.  Like running water, especially in the kitchen. Water for dishes, water for cooking, water to filter and drink . . . cool, clear water.

The soundtrack: The Sons of the Pioneers, Cool Water. As a bonus, here are two more favorite songs about water: The Who, with Water (from Tanglewood, 1970). And Andy Gibb, with Love Is Thicker Than Water.

Also related: a photo of my kitchen window featuring spring bounties.