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Plumbing Badge - Straw/Wood Brainstorming thread

 
steward
Posts: 15505
Location: Northern WI (zone 4)
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We're working on defining the remaining levels for a number of badges.  We could use your help coming up with more items that could be added to the various lists!  If you haven't heard of PEP yet, please check out This Thread.

In the past we've set up badges where you have to do a set number of things from a list.  The issue with that is that fixing a leak isn't as hard as building a rocket powered hot tub.  So instead, we're transitioning to a point based system.  Install a sink, earn 1 point.  Build an outdoor shower, earn 4 points.  Earn 35 points and you have the Straw badge completed.  

Occasionally there's a range of points.  They'll be spelled out in the text of the BB and this allows for projects of differing complexity to fit in the same BB.  For instance - drilling a well.

We've taken a shot at the upper level badges and could use your help rounding them out a bit.  Are we missing any important plumbing principles, methods or projects?  We especially need help with things with "XXX" in front of them.  


Sand badge

(tiny list) complete six of:
  - fix a leaky faucet
  - fix a leaky toilet
  - install an “instant bidet” on a toilet
  - repair a hose
  - unclog a drain with zip tool
  - repair a p-trap
  - repair a toilet that is not well bolted down
  - repair a toilet with problems with the lid/seat
  - clean/decalcify a faucet aerator
  - clean/decalcify a shower head
  - perform a water quality test
  - extract sediment from the cistern
  - prepare an outdoor shower for winter
  - prepare an outdoor shower for summer
  - repair a hydrant
  - put collected water through a berkey filter
  - flush the water heater
  - replace the anode in the water heater
  - replace washing machine supply hoses
  - replace a sump pump

(big list) complete one of:
  - install a hydrant
  - set up a sink with a foot pump
  - set up a solar water pump (twofer w electric badge)
  - replacing a faucet

straw badge
35 points required
10 points of duplication allowed
Up to 5 new points (non duplicates) from Sand list allowed
  - tiny list counts as ½ point ea, big list as 1 point ea

Make a water filter (like a berkey water filter) - 1 point
Make a simple sand filter - 1 point
Build a permanent sand filter that is in the plumbing - 8 points
  - Handles floaters and sinkers
  - Hard plumbed into your system
Fix a leak in a supply pipe - 1 point
Fix a leak in a DWV pipe - 1 point
Replace a toilet - 2 points
Replace a pressure tank - 1 point
Unpressurized rocket hot water system - 6 points
  - plus rocket points
Build an outdoor shower - 4 points
  - including hot water
  - easy to do winter prep / freeze protection
Replace a sink  - 1 point
Install a water heater - 4 points
  - combo with electrical if it's electrically powered
Install a sump pump and permanent exit piping - 4 points
Create a shallow well (10’ to 35’ deep) - 4-10 points
Make a deep well without drilling - 10-20 points
 - ala https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ue2DkG64r8
Extend a propane piping system to a new location - 2 points
Set up a simple rainwater collection system - 1 point
Set up a sophisticated rainwater collection system - 2-8 points
  - what is the freeze plan?  A barrel needs ample labeling about winterizing and warm season use only
Install a valve in an existing pipe - 1 point
Extend water supply piping to a new location - 1 point for hot, 1 point for cold
Install a drain (with proper venting) to a new location - 4-8 points
Set up simple solar hot water system (hand wash station, outdoor shower) - 2 points
  - proper labeling about legionella issues
Trench water to a hydrant or outbuilding - 4 points
Change an exterior faucet over to a frost proof style - 1 point
Set up a solar water pump (combo w electrical badge)   1 to 2.5 points
Make a ram pump - 4-8 points
Make a water wheel (combo with ???) - 4 points???
Make a rocket powered hot tub - 4 points?
Make a water tower (>7’ high) - 2 points
Set up an uphill, frost proof cistern - 8 points
Set up a micro hydro power plant - 4-16 points
  - Combo with electricity
Build a mobile water system on a trailer (fillable and emptyable) - 8 points
Replace a dishwasher - 1 point
Install a dishwasher in a new location - 2 points

xxx something about the plumbing on Judy (Judy is a truck)
xxx something about getting water from a creek or river and moving it to a developing location
xxx something about using water from a temporary tank
xxx something about high quality water storage
xxx temporary water pump in a pond


wood badge
180 points required
At least 30 new points (non duplicates) from Sand/Straw
Up to 80 points of duplication allowed (from sand/straw/wood)

Set up a pressurized wood fired hot water system - 8 points
Drill a deep well (>40’ deep) - 8-32 points
Set up an elegant solar hot water system - 16-32 points
Rough plumb a small structure - 8 or more points
  - Need to get at least 8 points to get this BB
  - ½ point per hot, cold or drain point
  - 1 point per vent outlet
  - 1 point per 100’ of pex
  - 1 point per 30’ of copper
  - 1 point per 10’ of DWV piping
  - 1 point per water heater, water softener, shower valve or other built in appliance/fixture
  - 1 point per toilet flange

Rough plumb a house - 32 or more points
  - Need to get at least 32 points to get this BB
  - ½ point per hot, cold or drain point
  - 1 point per vent outlet
  - 1 point per 100’ of pex
  - 1 point per 30’ of copper
  - 1 point per 10’ of DWV piping
  - 1 point per water heater, water softener, shower valve or other built in appliance/fixture
  - 1 point per toilet flange

xxx septic tank and drain field
xxx Develop a first class cistern and pumphouse that is winter capable
xxx develop an elegant large winter capable cistern for a community
  - the cistern improves the water quality with time
xxx a community scale sand filter


 
Mike Haasl
steward
Posts: 15505
Location: Northern WI (zone 4)
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John posted this in the electrical brainstorming thread which made me realize we don't have "replace a water heater" over here in the plumbing badge.  I'm thinking his valuation of 4 points sounds about right.  The key is the for blended projects, part electrical, part plumbing, we split the points based on how big each part of the job is.  

john mcginnis wrote:Nice selection  for points. I have only one gripe -- way too lite on the score for a water heater install. I'ved wired up a couple of house and a subpanel or two. In comparison a WH install is a royal PITA.

Lets compare, sub panel vs WH:

Sub --

* Dealing with 10# of material. Some set up can be done before mounted to the wall.
* Main feed and runs are not that hard, trim and fit.
* Add breakers.
* Test ground.

That's it.

Water Heater --

* Dealing with 100-150# of material. Twice that if a replacement.
* Drain tank.
* Disconnect service.
* Disconnect water service
* Extract
* Place new heater.
* Connect water service
* Connect service

Only fair points wise if you are giving 4 points for the plumbing badge.

I would rather chew nails than replace a water heater. And the !#@#$% @#$^#$^ manufacturers seem to move the inlets and outlets an inch or so every decade so that you have to reroute piping just so. Sigh.... Apologize for the rant.

 
Mike Haasl
steward
Posts: 15505
Location: Northern WI (zone 4)
4846
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Ok team, I added a couple items to the list at the top.  Any more items or feedback?  Especially for the items with XXX in front of them?  Thanks!
 
Mike Haasl
steward
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Location: Northern WI (zone 4)
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Ok, I posted this stuff over to the official badge page.  Thanks for all the help!!!

This thread is now locked.
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