Getting rid of the "funky"

So, my parents trekked down to visit us the weekend before Christmas. By the time they left, Chris had eagerly expanded his knowledge of plumbing and I had learned how to use my sewing machine from the pro seamstress (see next post). 

Since showering in the basement "spa" has been getting a bit chilly, Jack and Chris decided to manufacture a fix to the main floor bathtub. Problem at hand: Overflow pipe had rusted away from the tub and due to the high water pressure, which shot water directly into the overflow opening, it leaked onto the cracked, peel-n-stick tile floor. In an attempt to curb this problem, the previous owner had placed medical tape, which had been there long enough to get "funky" per Chris, over the overflow opening.

Did you know how many different thread sizes and variations of faucet adapters there are? Apparently, a...boatload (That's for you, dad). Chris is working on learning to speak plumbing fluently. It took at least 5 trips to multiple hardware stores plus some hands-on creativity, elbow-grease and trial and error...

And for about $25, Jack and Chris rigged up a hand-held sprayer that we already had to the exisiting antique faucet on the cast-iron tub. Now, you may be thinking to yourself, Man, I would have just bought a new one...and you'd be out $300-400. Yup. That's the average price for a tub-mount faucet with hand-held sprayer. The next major project on our list is remodeling this bathroom which will include installing a ceiling-mounted, oval-shaped shower curtain rod and shower riser/faucet combo...so we'll bite that bullet then. Until that day comes, being able to shower/bathe on the main floor is definitely worth at least $25 and a day's labor.