As a plumber this looks like a nightmare and the only solution in my eyes is remove more concrete and relocate that water line so you never have to deal with this again.
Why not just add a hatch to the box you considerd so you can open the box and access the valve? It shouldn't be too hard to find a prebuilt valve box that looks decent in your bathroom. Most I know are for outdoor applications but no reason why they can't be used indoors. And building it yourself also shouldn't be too hard.
To make it look even better you could also consider putting a removable shelf on top of the valve box. That way it's more hidden and you have a spot to put soaps or other bathroom essentials.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around what it actually is. Never seen anything like this but just replace it. Perhaps update with a wider shot of the full screen panel
I didn’t bother posting a wide shot because you can’t tell what it is from so far away. It just looks like it’s hazy from dirt. But actually I was able to pick some small hunks off with tweezers and it has an appearance and consistency similar to dried glue. It’s slightly white and semitranslucent. It is also only present on the interior surface of the screen.
But as requested, here is a wider shot comparison of the normal unaffected screens (top) with the affected, coated screen (bottom). imgur.com/vurLJvw
My running theory is that something was glued to the screen at some point, perhaps to deflect sunlight. Or the screen was coated in something, maybe to try to further prevent the intrusion of bugs.
So I was playing around with some tweezers and it actually seems like I can peel it off with some difficulty, although it comes up in pieces. Considering none of my other screens look like this, I’m wondering if it is actually some sort of purposeful hazy coating that got destroyed over the years??? Is that a thing??? It only seems to be present on the inner surface of the screen, not the outer side. Scrubbing does nothing to it put it can be peeled off it seems. Just gonna take me forever to do.
This is a weird question, but I don't suppose this is near Baltimore, or a previous owner was from near Baltimore? They have (or had, not sure how popular it is anymore) a thing there, where they paint their screens with various scenes. It reduces visibility, so people can't see in as well, but still lets air in. So I'm wondering if this is a very dirty old painted screen, with maybe the pores clogged up.
First off. This picture is vile and while I appreciate your need for assistance, you have ruined my day and I will be busy puking for the rest of the week.
To answer your actual question: I recommend just replacing it. Extra screen and cord is cheap and easy to install.
Start with the gasket. I replaced one in my Kohler toilet. Easy and cheap. You have to remove the cylinder to replace it, so you’ll have the opportunity to inspect it for damage.
The twisted chain was 100% the issue. I’m so amazed that you were able to catch that in that shitty video I uploaded above. Thanks again so much for your sharp eye!
Definitely don’t use JB weld, and I think you should be able to do it without replacing the box.
Regular electrical boxes are usually 6-32 size screws, ceiling fan boxes usually 8-32. If the holes are stripped, especially with plastic boxes, a lot of times you can get away with using the next size up (either 8-32 or 10-32) and forcibly screwing them in. They will cut new threads in the soft plastic/metal of the box, and you’ll be good to go. This is how most electricians would handle it without replacing the box.
If you want to do a cleaner, less hacky job, you can get a set of drill-taps, like this:
You can usually find them in the electrical section of your big-box home improvement store of choice. Just use the next size up and get some appropriate screws.
Same for Harbor Freight. Great tools for light duty use, but if you’re doing big jobs frequently, spring for something better.
I’ve had a HF drill since 2005 and it only recently died. It can probably be fixed since it seems the trigger just wore out, but I got 18 years of use from it for like $15.
There are 2 schools of thought, and both are situationally relevant.
Buy the 2nd last tool you will ever need.
IE, buy light duty. If it breaks and you’ve been using it a lot, you will likely know what features you want, how much to spend etc on the replacement. At which point you buy a more suitable tool.
Buy once, cry once.
If you are spending $200 on a tool, and the $300 is better, maybe just buy the $300 one.
Certainly more applicable to when you already use similar tools, and you need another.
Pressure reducing valve. Typically found directly after the water meter to reduce high municipal water pressure to reasonable residential water pressures.
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