Plumbing discussions and local services.
bhall58
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RE: How do you usually tackle installing a new drain - DIY or call in a pro?
I’ve seen some wild stuff behind walls - once found a drain “fixed” with a plastic grocery bag and zip ties. Ever had to deal with a slow leak that took months to show up? I’m always torn: do you trust your own work more...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
That’s smart. I’ve always wondered - do you trust those quick “cheat sheet” apps, or do you stick to official PDFs? I’ve seen conflicting info, especially with older buildings. And labeling shutoffs... why don’t more peo...
RE: How would I remove this stem to replace it?
Ever had a stem so frozen that even the puller started to bend? I’ve run into a couple where nothing seemed to work - PB, Kroil, even heat. At what point do you just call it and replace the whole valve? Or is there some ...
RE: Finally won the battle against invading tree roots
Funny you mention the camera scope - I had a plumber run one down a rental’s line last year. Thought it was just a small clog, but nope, roots everywhere. Ever notice how some trees seem to find pipes no matter what? I’m...
RE: WHEN YOUR LAWN TURNS INTO A SWAMP AFTER EVERY RAINSTORM
WHEN YOUR LAWN TURNS INTO A SWAMP AFTER EVERY RAINSTORM That’s actually pretty impressive your tenant tackled a rain garden on her own - most folks I know wouldn’t even try. I’ve had similar issues with French drains cl...
RE: How much did you pay to fix your fridge's ice maker?
I get the temptation to just cap the line - ice makers are notorious for causing headaches, especially in older places with questionable plumbing. But have you ever had tenants complain about not having one? I’ve found t...
RE: Keeping the sink monster happy: tricks for a smoother running disposal
That’s funny, I’ve seen the butter knife move too - never ends well. I’m with you on the plastic putty knife, though I’ve had a couple tenants swear by wooden spoons for scraping gunk out. Ever tried that? Not sure if it...
RE: Choosing between in-kitchen and underground grease traps - what would you do?
I keep wondering if there’s ever a “right” answer here. I’ve had tenants complain about the smell from in-kitchen traps, but then again, when an underground one goes bad, it’s like opening a can of worms - except the wor...
RE: Finally won the battle against invading tree roots
I know what you mean about the paranoia - older houses are a total mystery underground. Last time I had to dig, I actually found an old, disconnected gas line nobody knew about. Ever run into stuff like that? Makes me wo...
RE: When your bathroom sink ends up off-center
Funny you mention that - had a tenant once who swore the “crooked” sink was going to drive her nuts. I kept asking, does it leak? Is water getting under the counter? Nope. But she still wanted it moved. Ever actually had...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
I hear you on the pipe insulation - those foam tubes are basically disposable in my experience too. The rubber stuff holds up better, but yeah, getting it around all the weird corners is a hassle. I’ve started checking c...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
Funny you mention surprises in older houses - last winter I found a “hidden” shutoff behind a basement wall panel. No idea why someone thought that was a good spot. Ever run into those situations where you’re not sure if...
RE: Need some advice on choosing new plumbing fixtures
Interesting points about brushed nickel - I've had similar experiences with water spots becoming a real headache. Have you found that different brands or finishes within brushed nickel vary in how much they show spots? I...
RE: green plumbing showdown: greywater recycling vs rainwater harvesting
I've tried biodegradable soaps a couple times in my greywater setup. Didn't notice a huge algae difference, honestly... but plants seemed happier overall. Maybe it's less about algae and more about soil health? Curious i...
RE: WHAT IF YOUR PIPES STARTED TALKING BACK?
Hadn't thought about pipes knocking due to loose clamps - interesting. Did you notice if the knocking got worse at certain times, like when the heating kicked in or after running hot water? I've had similar issues in old...