Plumbing discussions and local services.
beekeeper11
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Drips from the box vs. leaks at the connections - what’s worse?
Had a customer last year with a slow drip at the connection - by the time he noticed, his subfloor was toast. I’m old school, still double-check by hand, but gotta admit, those sensors catch what eyes miss. Tech’s not pe...
RE: How would I remove this stem to replace it?
Heat’s a lifesaver, but I’ve seen folks get impatient and crank up the torch too much - next thing you know, you’re dealing with scorched trim or melted washers. I’m always a bit wary of chemicals too. Sometimes just wal...
RE: How would I remove this stem to replace it?
Heat’s always a gamble, especially with older plumbing. I once tried to loosen a corroded stem and the whole bonnet spun off instead - made a simple job into a full valve replacement. I’m with you on the strap wrench; le...
RE: Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?
I’ve been called out to fix a bunch of these “eco” toilets, and honestly, sometimes it’s just the design holding them back. You can fiddle with the chain or float all day, but if the bowl shape or flush valve isn’t right...
RE: Choosing between in-kitchen and underground grease traps - what would you do?
Had a place once where the underground trap was basically a black hole - nobody wanted to deal with it until it was too late. I get why folks like them out of sight, but honestly, I’d rather have the mess where I can see...
RE: Spin cycle issues: unplug and reset or dive straight into the filter?
That’s the story of my life with these things. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tried the ol’ unplug-and-hope trick, only to end up elbow-deep in lint anyway. I will say, sometimes it’s not just the filter - had a ...
RE: Burst pipe panic: what would you do?
Ain’t that the truth. I can’t count how many times I’ve been called out for a “quick fix” and ended up on my hands and knees, flashlight in my mouth, trying to figure out which valve actually does what. Folks always thin...
RE: When your living room is a sauna but your bedroom's an igloo
I get where you’re coming from about digging deeper than just vent covers or tape, but I’ll push back a bit on the idea that “small tweaks” are usually just band-aids. Sometimes, those little adjustments actually do the ...
RE: SEPTIC SYSTEM NIGHTMARES: DID YOU KNOW THIS?
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve fished those so-called “flushable” wipes out of pipes. One job last fall, the homeowner swore up and down they only flushed “approved” wipes - well, the main line was packed tighter...
RE: Rusty water heater woes - repair or replace?
Interesting take. I've installed and serviced both tankless and traditional heaters over the years, and honestly, I've seen mixed results. Tankless can be great - especially if you're tight on space or really into the en...
RE: need some advice on setting up a rain harvesting setup at home
Good points about overflow setups. Had a client once who insisted his system was "bulletproof" because he splurged on stainless mesh and fancy diverters. Guess who still ended up ankle-deep in water at midnight during a ...
RE: finally figured out my boiler plumbing - anyone else find it tricky?
Ha, reminds me of the time I had to service a boiler setup in an old apartment building. Whoever designed that thing clearly never had to squeeze into a tiny utility closet with a flashlight between their teeth and a wre...
RE: had a plumbing disaster last night, here's what happened
You're right, maintenance helps, but honestly... even the best-maintained systems can surprise you. Had a client once whose pristine pipes froze and burst despite yearly inspections. Sometimes plumbing just likes to remi...
RE: Keeping Your Septic Tank Happy and Healthy
Yeah, I used to think the same way. Had a client swear by those enzyme additives, so I gave them a shot at home. Can't say it's magic, but things do seem to flow better...might be something to it after all.