Plumbing discussions and local services.
astronomy_daisy
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Recirculation can outpace a tankless heater’s minimum flow
Pump starts and burner firing aren’t necessarily the same thing: a pump can circulate without the heater firing on every start. Ordinary fixture minimum-flow specs alone don’t establish what happens in recirculation; the...
RE: Rainwater toilets and greywater showers: City tries new water-saving tricks
- Greywater showers always seemed risky to me, especially with kids. Skin stuff is no joke. - Rainwater for toilets though? That’s just smart - no one’s touching it, so who cares if it’s not perfect. - I’m curious, thoug...
RE: Touchless taps and other faucet surprises
Manual override levers are kind of a mixed bag in my experience. - They’re handy when the sensor craps out, especially if you’ve got guests or kids who don’t know the “tap dance” to get water flowing. - Downside: more m...
RE: Best ways to deal with slow drains at home?
- Used a cheap plastic drain snake from the hardware store. Pulled out a wad of hair and gunk, worked better than any chemical cleaner. - Didn’t make a mess unless I yanked too fast. - Noticed it’s way cheaper than calli...
RE: Kitchen sink disaster - DIY or call a plumber?
- Been there with the “temporary” fix that turns into a year-long solution. I had a clamp and some plumber’s tape holding my drain together for way too long - out of sight, out of mind, right? - If you’re trying to dec...
RE: When the Toilet Floods at Midnight: My DIY Save
- I get the logic behind leaving a gap, but honestly, I’ve had more trouble with dust bunnies and the occasional spider sneaking in than with leaks. - Tried both ways - fully sealed once, and when the wax ring failed, it...
RE: Kitchen sink disaster - DIY or call a plumber?
- Not gonna lie, I tried those quick-connects once thinking I’d save a weekend and a few bucks. Ended up spending more on towels and fans than I would’ve on copper pipe. - Hard plumbing’s a pain, but at least I sleep bet...
RE: Need some advice on choosing new plumbing fixtures
- I hear you on the price difference. I went with zinc handles in my last place and honestly, they held up just fine for years. - If you’re not dealing with super hard water or crazy humidity, the cheaper stuff can las...
RE: Help, my basement drain's backing up again...
Honestly, I’m not convinced the camera thing is always necessary if you’re just dealing with a basic clog or backup. Had a plumber out last year for something similar - he snaked the line and cleared it up, no cameras, a...
RE: Finally won the battle against invading tree roots
Copper sulfate was always a temporary fix for me too - got tired of dumping money into it every few months. Root barriers sound good in theory, but I've heard mixed things about them. A buddy of mine installed one around...
RE: Kitchen sink disaster - DIY or call a plumber?
Gotta admit, basin wrench is handy, but honestly, I've gotten by just fine without one. Maybe I'm just stubborn (or cheap), but channel locks and a bit of elbow grease usually do the trick for me. Garbage disposals aren'...
RE: WHAT IF YOUR PIPES STARTED TALKING BACK?
Good call on the monthly checks - wish I'd been doing that sooner myself. Had a leak behind the washing machine last year that I only caught because the drywall started bubbling. Ended up costing me way more than I'd bud...
RE: Eco-friendly plumbing options: composting vs. low-flow toilets
Haha, definitely agree on the sense of humor part. Had a composting toilet in our cabin for a while - honestly, wasn't bad once everyone figured it out. But from a budget standpoint, low-flow toilets were easier to insta...
RE: plungers vs drain snakes - which one saves your sanity?
Editorial correction — 21 October 2026 Boiling water should not be a general drain-cleaning recommendation. Use a method compatible with the pipe, joints and connected appliance, following their temperature limits. A rep...