We do a lot of DIY stuff. Most projects have a consequence of failure limited to embarrassment and/or a redo after learning from the first attempt. However, this project was not a DIY in our book.

The house came fully armed with an enormous and old sprinkler system. Carrying pressurized water into every room (inside and out) across all 4 levels, there was much anxiety about getting the sprinkler system decommissioned so as to avoid a flood at some point.

Sprinkler pipes ran everywhere. And not having any experience with shutting down such a system ourselves, the contractor who was serving this building for decades was called upon for one final job here. Without any fanfare, the Woodstock Public Works Department shut off the supply valve at the street connection. And then our contractor cut loose the house’s main valve assembly – after draining the system – while also installing a cap onto the huge supply line coming into the house (just in case somebody someday cracks open that valve out at the street!).

Here lies the valve assembly – in two very heavy pieces. The original brass and glass gauges dated 1955 (sorry no pics) were with the system. We’ll polish those up and put them on display.

It was a relief to have this done!

Back to planning our DIY work – removing thousands and thousands…and thousands…and thousands…of pounds of cast iron sprinkler pipe. That will be fun.