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-   -   What's making you happy today? (http://cellar.org/showthread.php?t=14055)

ZenGum 07-21-2009 12:22 AM

Congrats again, Dana; I haven't heard the word graduand since I was one!
I have never worn a mortar board either. My bachelor's involved a hood, and the D was a giant floppy hat. Walk proud across that stage, and don't rush it. Savour the moment. Wear a handshake buzzer. Or wheelies.

Flint, yeah, nice one.

Re Clod's drains:
I agree with Glatt - condensate cannot be mineralised. It is literally distilled water. And if your A/C is a refrigerative unit - most are - it doesn't take tap water.
Yet Clod reliably describes beige chunks of calcified crap blown out of the pipes.

So, WTF is it and where is it coming from?

Here's a theory.
Regular condensation is trickling down the pipes. This allows slime and algae to thrive. The conditions in Texas add a steady supply of wind-blow dust which collects in the pan and is washed down into the pipe by the flowing condensate. It is trapped by the algae and incorporated into the make-up of the algae. This mix of dust and slime is your beige crap. Technically, this might even be a stromatolite.
If this is correct, then you may even be able to see layers of dust/algae/dust/algae in a cross section of the chunks, but maybe not.

Suggestions:
Examine the beige crap to see if this theory might be right. Look for slime and dust layers. A modest optical microscope might reveal the layers, or algal cell structures, and might also show up obviously wind-blown debris: pollen, feather fragments, leaf fragments, etc etc.
You said calcified - one test for calcite is that it bubbles vigorously when Hydrochloric Acid is dropped on it. If you don't have HCl ready to hand, try the CLR and see.
Ultimately, I suggest taking some samples into a university geology lab and asking around. Someone will be willing to help.

If it is this mix of dust and water-nurtured slime, I suggest seeing if it is possible to reduce the entry of dust into the system. Regardless of the cause, regular flushing maintenance sounds wise.

I would also suggest getting a camera-on-a-hose-thingie to have a look at your other drain pipes before you commit to pouring strong chemicals (yes, Flint, and money) down your drains on a regular basis. It may well be that only the AC drain is affected this way.

glatt 07-21-2009 08:38 AM

Maintenance of HVAC air handlers. I should do this, but don't.

Shawnee123 07-21-2009 08:40 AM

Enjoy, Dana! You've worked hard for this.

PS Mortar boards are all in fun until someone throws theirs and someone loses an eye.

Trilby 07-21-2009 08:50 AM

What's making me happy? That Dana has empathy for cockroaches.

for some reason, this is unsurprising and delightful at the same time.

TheMercenary 07-21-2009 11:41 AM

Congrats Dana. From what I have been reading on here over the last few, you have completely deserved it. Enjoy.

What's the next degree? :D

Shawnee123 07-21-2009 01:12 PM

Since the salad bar at work now sucks, I've brought in my own sunflower seeds and chinese noodles. Today, they didn't even bother re-filling the cottage cheese. So I wandered around the cafe for what seemed like days trying to find something to eat that wasn't fat-stuffed carbs or carb-stuffed fats. I noticed, amidst the Vegetarian Hummus Grand Wrap With Bacon and Feta and Alfalfa Sprouts and someone's Special Sauce that you can actually buy a (drumroll please) Turkey and Cheese on Wheat sandwich. Just a regular old sandwich. No, I don't want mayo. No, I don't want whatever Flossie Mae dug out of her backyard sprinkled with peppercorns and a hint of garlic paste and sun-dried tomatoes and organic dirt. Just a sandwich.

Really, there's way too much going on in food these days.

ZenGum 07-21-2009 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMercenary (Post 582857)
What's the next degree? :D

Third.


:nadkick: :smashfrea:dedhorse:

DanaC 07-22-2009 04:05 AM

:P The next degree is a Mastership by Research:) Starting in September.

Crimson Ghost 07-22-2009 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum (Post 583021)
Third.

Then you can decide if you want to go Scottish Rite or York Rite...

sweetwater 07-22-2009 02:13 PM

My husband surprised me with a longhorn cow with a 3 month old calf, and a 1 year old donkey. Been busy teaching the calf & donkey halter manners and grooming the donkey - who really needs it. I haven't worked with an equine for years.

Sundae 07-22-2009 02:47 PM

Got my snit in perspective.
Back where I belong.

DanaC 07-22-2009 05:36 PM

Good lass :)

TheMercenary 07-22-2009 08:48 PM

SG is back. :)

capnhowdy 07-22-2009 09:08 PM

Me happy.

capnhowdy 07-22-2009 09:09 PM

SG maketh me happy.


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