Plumbing discussions and local services.
ajones59
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RE: Plastic Vs. Tile-Ready Shower Bases: Which One's Less Hassle?
Plastic pans always made me nervous, honestly. Had one in a basement bath - looked fine for a couple years, then suddenly there was a hairline crack right where the drain meets the pan. Water seeped under the vinyl and I...
RE: Keeping your water heater running longer without breaking the bank
Lowering the thermostat really does make a dent, doesn’t it? I was skeptical at first, but after tracking my usage for a couple months, the numbers didn’t lie. I set mine to 120°F and honestly, showers feel the same - ju...
RE: Kitchen sink disaster - DIY or call a plumber?
Been there with the valve handle - mine crumbled in my hand like a stale cookie. Ended up crawling under the sink with a pair of pliers and a prayer. Honestly, I’ll try almost anything to avoid a plumber’s bill, but when...
RE: Choosing between in-kitchen and underground grease traps - what would you do?
Had a similar scare with an underground trap last winter - nothing like seeing your driveway get jackhammered to make you rethink things. I switched to an in-kitchen unit and yeah, it does clog up faster if you’re not ca...
RE: SEPTIC SYSTEM NIGHTMARES: DID YOU KNOW THIS?
Tried a riser lid last year when I got tired of digging every time the tank needed pumping. Honestly, it’s been a game changer for access, especially in winter. Haven’t noticed any leaks, but I did go heavy on the sealan...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
HANDY SHORTCUTS FOR FINDING PLUMBING INFO QUICK Yeah, those label maker stickers are a gamble under the house. I tried them a couple years back - spent a Saturday crawling around, labeling every shutoff and cleanout I c...
RE: Kitchen sink disaster - DIY or call a plumber?
I learned the hard way after a slow leak under my sink warped the cabinet floor - didn’t notice until I dropped a sponge and it squished. Now I keep a cheap moisture sensor down there. Not perfect, but it’s caught two dr...
RE: Finally won the battle against invading tree roots
Yeah, that was my big fear too. I lucked out - they managed to clear mine with a hydro-jet and didn’t have to dig, but the plumber said next time it might not be so easy. I’ve looked into those foaming root killers you f...
RE: finally figured out my boiler plumbing - anyone else find it tricky?
I’ve actually wondered about those plastic clip-on supports too - been tempted to grab a pack, but I keep thinking they’ll just snap or get brittle over time. Maybe I’m just old school, but metal brackets feel sturdier t...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
Heat tape makes me nervous, honestly - I had a section that just... stopped working one winter and it wasn’t obvious until water started trickling down the wall at 3 AM. Ever since, I’ve doubled up with the thick foam sl...
RE: Sink monster making weird noises and not grinding right
Funny you mention that... I once spent an entire weekend troubleshooting my disposal, convinced it was broken. Turned out a tiny screw from a kitchen gadget had fallen in and wedged itself just right - made the most awfu...
RE: Thermostat acting weird, DIY fix or call a pro?
I feel your pain on the wiring fiasco. When I replaced my thermostat last winter, I thought I'd save a few bucks and skip calling someone. Pulled off the old one and found a spaghetti mess of unlabeled wires - no duct ta...
RE: are water-saving toilets really worth the hype?
I get the appeal of dual-flush toilets, especially with the potential savings on water bills and fewer clogs. But honestly, my experience hasn't been quite as rosy. Installed one about two years ago - also older plumbing...
RE: Thinking about swapping to a pedestal sink - tips or regrets?
Totally agree on the visual openness - our tiny half-bath felt twice as big after switching. But yeah, storage was a headache. Ended up installing a recessed medicine cabinet above ours...bit more work, but worth it for ...
RE: are water-saving toilets really worth the hype?
Funny you mention that - I went through a similar dilemma last year when our old toilet finally bit the dust. I was tempted by the pressure-assisted models because, like your uncle, we have a big family and frequent clog...