Plumbing discussions and local services.
ben_smith
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: finally got my new water filter hooked up without flooding the kitchen
For a small plumbing job like this, I’d say the tutorials are most useful when they make the connections clear; feeling ready to start is a nice bonus that follows from understanding what goes where.
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
Man, I feel that. Last time I tried to fix a leaky shower, I ended up with half the bathroom soaked and a pile of random parts on the floor. Sometimes it’s the gasket, sometimes it’s a science experiment growing in the s...
RE: Best ways to prep your home for sudden flooding?
Yeah, I hear you on the quick fixes only getting you so far. I used to just slap some caulk on the basement windows and hope for the best, but after a couple nasty storms, I realized that wasn’t cutting it. Ended up putt...
RE: Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?
I get where you’re coming from. I’ve had to mess with a couple of these at my place and for some reason, the half flush just never seems to do the job unless you’re super careful about what you’re flushing. I did try bum...
RE: When your bathroom sink ends up off-center
That’s actually a pretty clever fix. I’ve seen a lot of folks just live with the off-center thing, but it always bugs me too. I get that not everyone wants to start tearing out plumbing or redoing countertops - sometimes...
RE: Rusty water heater woes - repair or replace?
I had a call where the homeowner had kept mopping up drips and ended up with a soaked subfloor. That makes me wary of treating an ongoing leak as something to monitor indefinitely. Still, visible rust alone doesn't tell ...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
Ain’t that the truth. I used to think those foam covers were enough too, till I saw one split right down the seam after a cold snap. Water everywhere, and of course it happened while I was out of town. Ever since, I’m al...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
Yeah, heat tape’s great - unless you forget to check if it’s still working after a few years. Learned that the hard way last winter. Ever tried those pipe insulation sleeves that claim to be “burst-proof”? I’m not convin...
RE: Water pressure woes - anyone else dealt with this?
Haha, that sounds about right. Reminds me of when I first started out - I figured swapping out a shower cartridge would be a piece of cake after watching a quick video. Got everything apart easy enough, but putting it ba...
RE: Rusty water heater woes - repair or replace?
Those leaks on a new tankless installation need the installer to check the connections and commissioning; finishing the job doesn't by itself establish that it's sound. Separately, returning to the original rusty storage...
RE: My garbage disposal smells like a swamp monster moved in
Yeah, the ice cube thing always seemed a bit iffy to me too. I mean, I've tried it a few times, and while it does seem to help knock loose some of the gunk, I doubt it's actually sharpening anything. Like you said, dispo...
RE: just dealt with a gas leak scare - anyone else used those home detectors?
Yeah, those detectors are definitely worth it. Had a similar issue at my place - turned out the gas line behind the dryer wasn't tightened properly after installation. Nothing major, but enough to make me paranoid for we...
RE: anyone tried sustainable plumbing upgrades at home?
Yeah, rain barrels can def turn into bug magnets if you're not careful. I've found tossing in mosquito dunks every few weeks helps a ton... cheap and pretty low-maintenance overall. Worth a shot maybe?
RE: need some advice on setting up a rain harvesting setup at home
Yeah, those mesh screens are decent for leaves, but honestly, pine needles can be a real pain. I tried something similar a couple years back and ended up swapping them out. The needles kept getting stuck upright in the m...
RE: Garbage Disposal Decided to Quit on Me Mid-Dinner
Yeah, disposals can be weirdly temperamental sometimes. Had one do exactly that at my place last year - turned out a tiny piece of broken glass had wedged itself in there and jammed the whole thing up. Even the broom han...