Rainwater toilets and greywater showers: City tries new water-saving tricks

duct tape’s just a band-aid

I get it, but honestly, duct tape saved me from a disaster when my old laundry line split. Not saying it’s a forever fix, but for stuff like rainwater pipes, sometimes a quick patch buys you time until the weekend. I do keep a couple of hose clamps around now though - those are way sturdier than tape and still easy to swap out. Manual bypass valve sounds smart, but I’m still figuring out where to even put one without tearing up half my wall.

Duct tape’s like the Swiss Army knife of home fixes - definitely not permanent, but it’s saved my bacon more than once. I tried to “temporarily” patch a leaky rainwater pipe last month, and that “temporary” fix is still holding up... for now. Hose clamps are a step up, though. As for manual bypass valves, I’m right there with you - my plumbing knowledge pretty much maxes out at “don’t flood the basement.” The idea of cutting into walls gives me hives. Maybe one day I’ll get brave enough.

Honestly, duct tape’s a lifesaver in a pinch, but I’ve seen way too many “temporary” fixes turn into long-term headaches. Once water gets behind that tape, you’re just asking for mold or a bigger leak down the line. Hose clamps are better, but if you’re dealing with rainwater systems or greywater setups, it’s worth learning the basics of proper fittings. Cutting into walls sounds scary, but sometimes it’s less hassle than cleaning up a flood later... trust me, I’ve seen some wild stuff behind drywall.

Cutting into walls is always that moment where I have to take a deep breath and remind myself it’s probably not as bad as I’m imagining. I’ve patched up a few leaks behind drywall and, yeah, it’s never fun, but you’re right - it’s usually better than dealing with a soggy mess later. I tried using duct tape on a leaky washing machine hose once and thought I was clever until the next laundry day... let’s just say the basement floor got a good rinse.

I’m curious, for those who’ve set up rainwater toilets or greywater showers, what kind of fittings or connectors have actually held up over time? I keep seeing those push-fit connectors at the hardware store, but I’m not sure if they’re reliable for something like this or if it’s better to go old-school with compression fittings or even PEX crimp rings. Also, has anyone run into issues with city inspectors or code when running these alternative water lines? I’ve heard mixed things about what’s allowed.

And on the mold front - has anyone found a good way to monitor for leaks behind walls without tearing everything open? I’ve seen those moisture meters but haven’t tried one yet. Just wondering if they’re worth it or if it’s just another gadget collecting dust in the toolbox.

It’s wild how something as simple as a “temporary” fix can turn into a whole weekend project. Anyone ever regret not just doing it right the first time, even if it meant making a bigger mess up front?

I’ve been down the rabbit hole with fittings for a greywater setup, and honestly, I get why you’re hesitant about push-fit. They’re super convenient, but I’ve noticed they can be hit or miss if the pipe isn’t cut perfectly square or if there’s any grit left on the ends. For anything behind a wall or in a spot that’s hard to access later, I’d go with PEX and crimp rings. It takes a little more time upfront, but I haven’t had any leaks since switching over. Compression fittings are okay too, but they seem more finicky if things shift even a little.

City code is its own beast. Where I am, you need a clear separation between potable and non-potable lines, and inspectors really want to see backflow preventers and everything labeled. I got flagged for not using purple pipe (which apparently is the standard for reclaimed water) even though it was just for toilet supply. Ended up redoing part of it just to pass inspection... kind of annoying, but at least it’s done right now.

On the leak detection front, I bought one of those cheap moisture meters on a whim. Didn’t expect much, but it actually caught a slow drip behind my bathroom wall before it turned into anything major. Not perfect - sometimes gives weird readings near outlets - but I’d say it’s worth having, especially if you’re paranoid about hidden leaks like me.

And yeah, every time I try to “just patch it for now,” it ends up being twice as much work later. At this point, I’ve learned to just bite the bullet and do it right the first time, even if it means living with a mess for a few days. The peace of mind is worth way more than saving an hour or two upfront.

- I get the hesitation with push-fit, but honestly, I’ve used them in a bunch of rentals for quick fixes and they’ve held up better than expected. As long as you prep the pipe right, they’re a lifesaver when you need to swap something out fast - especially if you’re dealing with tenants who can’t be without water for long.

- PEX with crimp rings is solid, no argument there, but it’s not always practical if you’re working in tight spots or older buildings where access is a nightmare. Sometimes you just don’t have the room for the crimp tool.

- City code headaches are real. The purple pipe thing tripped me up too - had to redo a whole run in one unit because an inspector wanted “visual confirmation” it was non-potable. Not sure it actually makes things safer, but rules are rules.

- On leak detection: those cheap meters are hit or miss. I’ve had better luck just checking meter readings overnight or using dye tabs in toilets. Less techy, but sometimes old-school works.

- Quick patches have saved me more than once when I’m juggling multiple units. Not ideal, but sometimes you just need to stop the bleeding and come back later when you can really dig in. Peace of mind is great, but so is keeping tenants happy and water damage at bay...

I hear you on the push-fit stuff. I was super skeptical at first - felt like cheating, honestly - but after a couple of “oh no” moments under the sink, I’ve come around. Prepping the pipe is key, like you said. If there’s even a little burr or grit, you’re asking for trouble. Still, I can’t help but wonder how those fittings will hold up in 10 or 15 years. Anyone actually seen one fail from age, or is that just plumber folklore?

The PEX crimp rings are solid, but man, those tools are a pain in tight spots. I tried to do a repair behind my old tub and nearly lost my mind (and a knuckle). Sometimes you just have to go with what fits, even if it’s not your first choice.

City code stuff is a headache and a half. The purple pipe thing feels like overkill, but I get why they want it obvious. I had to redo a section in my basement because the inspector wanted the “right” color, even though it was labeled. Not sure it makes anyone safer, but I guess it keeps things consistent.

Leak detection is another one where I’m not sold on the gadgets. I tried one of those cheap sensors once - false alarms every time the humidity spiked. I’m with you on the dye tabs and meter readings. Sometimes the low-tech way just works better.

Quick patches are a necessary evil. I always feel a little guilty leaving a temp fix, but when water’s pouring out and you’ve got a million other things going on, you do what you have to. As long as you circle back and do it right later, I don’t see the harm.

Honestly, it’s kind of reassuring to hear other folks are running into the same stuff. Makes me feel less like I’m just winging it half the time.

I get where you’re coming from on the leak detectors, but I actually think the tech is worth a second look. The cheap ones are junk, no argument there - mine went off every time I took a hot shower. But I tried one of the pricier smart sensors after a friend’s basement flooded, and it actually caught a slow drip under my kitchen sink before it turned into a mess. Maybe it’s overkill for some folks, but for me, the peace of mind is worth the occasional false alarm.

On the purple pipe thing, I’m not convinced it’s just about consistency. With all these new rainwater and greywater setups, I kind of get why they want things super obvious. If someone’s working on your house years down the line, color coding could save them from a nasty surprise. Still feels like a pain when you’re doing the work yourself, though.

And about push-fit fittings - honestly, I’m still not totally sold. They’re convenient, but something about not seeing threads or solder makes me nervous long-term. Maybe that’s just me being paranoid as a newbie, but I’d rather sweat a joint and know it’s solid... even if it takes twice as long.

I get the hesitation with push-fit fittings, but honestly, they’ve come a long way. I used to be in the “sweat every joint” camp too, but after seeing a few commercial installs hold up for years without a hitch, I started trusting them more. They’re not perfect for every situation - high-vibration spots or places you can’t easily check, I’d still go traditional. But for quick repairs or tight spaces, they’re a lifesaver. As for the purple pipe, it’s a hassle, but I’ve seen too many mix-ups when things aren’t clearly marked... sometimes the extra step saves a ton of trouble down the line.

I get the appeal of push-fit for quick fixes, but I still worry about long-term reliability, especially in rentals where tenants don’t always report leaks right away. Ever had one fail behind a wall? That’s my nightmare scenario. The purple pipe thing - yeah, it’s a pain, but I’d rather deal with that than a cross-connection mess...

I get what you’re saying about push-fit - seems easy until you start thinking about what happens if it fails and no one notices for weeks. I’ve never had one fail behind a wall (knock on wood), but I did have a slow leak under a sink once that turned into a whole mess with warped cabinets. That was enough to make me double-check everything now, especially in spots I can’t see.

With all these new rainwater and greywater setups, though, I keep wondering: is the extra plumbing worth the savings if you have to worry about leaks in even more places? Like, does anyone actually track how much maintenance costs go up with these systems over time? I’m all for saving water, but if it means more stuff to break (and more to pay for), not sure it’s such a win. Anyone actually run the numbers on this or is it just one of those “sounds good on paper” ideas?

I’ve wondered about that too. The upfront savings on water bills look good, but I haven’t seen much hard data on long-term maintenance costs. A buddy of mine retrofitted his place with greywater for the garden, and he said the extra valves and filters do need more attention than regular plumbing. He figures it’s still worth it for him since he’s handy, but if you’re hiring out every repair, the math probably changes fast. Seems like one of those things where the payoff depends a lot on how much DIY you’re willing to do and how easy it is to access everything for checks.

I’ve worked on a few of these setups, and honestly, your buddy’s not wrong about the extra maintenance. Greywater systems are clever, but they’re not “set it and forget it.” Filters clog up faster than you’d think, especially if folks aren’t careful about what goes down the drain. I’ve seen hair, soap scum, even the odd bit of food gunk up a filter in no time. And those diverter valves? They’re great until someone forgets to cycle them or they get stuck from mineral buildup.

One job I remember, the homeowner was super enthusiastic at first - loved the idea of saving water and money. But after a year or so, he called me out because his garden was getting swampy and the system was backing up. Turned out he’d skipped a couple filter cleanings and didn’t realize one of the valves had jammed halfway. Not a disaster, but it took some work to sort out.

If you’re handy and don’t mind crawling under the house every few months, it’s manageable. But if you’re calling someone like me every time there’s a hiccup, those savings can disappear pretty quick. Parts aren’t always standard either - sometimes you’re waiting on specialty stuff that isn’t at the local hardware store.

I’m not saying don’t do it - just go in with your eyes open. It’s not like swapping out a faucet or fixing a leaky toilet. There’s more moving parts and more things that can go sideways if you’re not paying attention. Some folks love tinkering with this stuff; others just want to flush and forget about it. Depends which camp you’re in, I guess.

That’s the part that worries me, honestly. I love the idea of saving water (and money), but if it means crawling around under the house every couple months or dealing with specialty parts, I’m not sure it’s worth it for my sanity - or my wallet. I’m pretty handy, but I’ve got enough on my plate already.

How big of a risk is it if you miss a filter cleaning or forget to check a valve? Are we talking minor inconvenience, or could it actually cause damage to the house or plumbing? I’d hate to save a few bucks on water just to end up with a flooded crawlspace or mold issues.

Also, what about safety? Any concerns with bacteria or odors if something goes wrong? I’ve got kids and pets, so that’s always in the back of my mind. The city makes these systems sound super easy, but real-world stories like yours make me think twice. Maybe this is one of those things that sounds better on paper than in practice...

I get where you’re coming from - honestly, I had the same worries before we tried a greywater setup for our laundry. Here’s what happened: the first year, I was super diligent about cleaning the filter and checking everything. Then life got busy, and I missed a couple of checks. Ended up with a slow leak under the house because a valve got clogged. It wasn’t catastrophic, but it did mean a weekend spent drying things out and replacing some insulation. Not fun, and definitely not cheap.

As for safety, I’m pretty cautious too. If you skip maintenance, you can get some nasty smells or even bacteria growth, especially in summer. My neighbor had to rip out part of his system because of mold after a filter backed up. With kids and pets, that’s not something I want to risk.

Honestly, unless you’re really on top of the upkeep, these systems can be more hassle than they’re worth. The city’s pitch makes it sound plug-and-play, but in reality, it’s more like owning an old car - you’ve got to keep tinkering with it. If you’re already stretched thin, it might be smarter to stick with low-flow fixtures and rain barrels for the garden instead.

Yeah, maintenance is definitely the big catch with these setups. I’ve seen a few installs go sideways just because folks underestimated how much attention they need. That said, if you’re the type who likes tinkering or already checks on stuff around the house regularly, it’s manageable. I get the appeal of rain barrels and low-flow fixtures - they’re way less hassle and still make a dent in water use. For me, the greywater system is interesting from a technical angle, but I totally get why it’s not for everyone.

Yeah, I hear you on the maintenance. Some of these systems look cool on paper, but once you’ve got pipes clogging up with lint or soap scum, it’s a whole different story. I’ve seen folks get excited about greywater setups, then bail after a year because it’s just too much hassle. Rain barrels are way simpler - just gotta watch for mosquitoes and clean ‘em out now and then. If you’re not into regular upkeep, sticking with the basics makes more sense.

Some of these systems look cool on paper, but once you’ve got pipes clogging up with lint or soap scum, it’s a whole different story.

Yeah, that’s the part folks don’t always think about until they’re knee-deep in a mess. I’ve had to deal with a few greywater setups where people skipped the regular filter cleaning and suddenly their laundry water was backing up into places it definitely shouldn’t go. Rain barrels are way more forgiving, but even then, I’ve seen some sketchy mosquito situations. Has anyone tried those first-flush diverters for rainwater? Wondering if they actually help keep the gunk out or just add another thing to maintain...

First-flush diverters do help keep the worst of the roof gunk out, but yeah, they’re another thing to babysit. If you forget to empty or clean them, you end up with a science experiment growing in there - ask me how I know. Still, I’d rather deal with a diverter than have all that leafy sludge in my tank. Just don’t expect it to be maintenance-free... nothing in water management ever is.

If you forget to empty or clean them, you end up with a science experiment growing in there - ask me how I know.

Yeah, I’ve been there too. Had a tenant call me once about a “weird smell” coming from the rainwater system. Turns out the diverter hadn’t been checked in months and it was basically a petri dish. I ended up putting a reminder in my phone to check them every couple weeks. Not glamorous, but it beats dealing with clogged pipes or worse. Maintenance is just part of the deal if you want these systems to work safely.