Plumbing discussions and local services.
bhill85
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: How much of a residential DWV system should one test section include?
For example, if the main piping has clear boundaries but one connected branch may or may not belong in the test, I’d ask whether the main section can be tested separately and that branch isolated as its own section. Then...
RE: getting licensed as a plumber - worth the hassle?
If the license opened up more kinds of work but didn’t increase your pay right away, would that still feel worth the time and study - or is the income gain the main thing you’re counting on?
RE: Turning sunlight into hot showers: best kits or hacks?
Totally get what you’re saying about insulation - skipping it always feels like tempting fate, even if the winters are “mild.” I learned that the hard way with a chilly shower one January. And yeah, those monitoring gadg...
RE: Rainwater toilets and greywater showers: City tries new water-saving tricks
I’m right there with you on the cautious side. I’ve seen a buddy’s basement get trashed from a slow leak he didn’t catch for months - total nightmare. I do like the idea of rainwater toilets and greywater setups, but I j...
RE: Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?
Honestly, I’ve wondered the same thing. I tried adjusting ours a bunch of times, but it always felt like a guessing game. Anybody ever mess with the water level in the tank to see if that helps, or is that just asking fo...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
Heat-shrink’s definitely the gold standard if you want it to last, but man, I’m not dragging out the heat gun when I’m ankle-deep in water and half-awake. I’ve had zip tie tags get gross too, especially near the sump. La...
RE: How much did you pay to fix your fridge's ice maker?
Man, I hear you on the slow leaks. We had a tiny drip behind our old fridge that I didn’t even notice until the laminate started buckling. Ended up pulling half the kitchen apart just to dry it out. Ever since then, I re...
RE: Plumbing pros weigh in: new app promises faster fixes and fewer headaches
Funny, I’ve had the same issue with my laundry room sensor. One time it started blaring just because I dripped a bit after mopping... nearly gave me a heart attack. I wish these things could be a little smarter about wha...
RE: Why does swapping out a busted ice maker cost so much?
Yeah, those plastic tabs are just asking for trouble. I’ve had a couple snap on me too - once it actually fell into the fan area and I had to unplug everything just to fish it out. Honestly, I’d rather deal with a few sc...
RE: Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?
Half flushes are hit or miss in my house too. I’ve actually opened up the tank to check if something was off, but nope - just not enough power half the time. My youngest managed to clog it with a wad of toilet paper once...
RE: Water pressure woes - anyone else dealt with this?
Copper prices are wild right now, no kidding. I’ve had the same debate with myself - copper just feels sturdier for spots you can see, but PEX is so much easier to run if you’re dealing with weird angles or tight spaces....
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
I've been there - taking apart plumbing stuff always feels a bit intimidating at first. Just remember to shut off the water beforehand (learned that the hard way, lol). You've got this, though... showers aren't rocket sc...
RE: need some advice on setting up a rain harvesting setup at home
I've been thinking about those finer mesh diverters too, but honestly, the clogging issue worries me a bit. Has anyone tried adding a pre-filter or something similar upstream to catch bigger debris first? Might help cut ...
RE: Finally got my bathroom reno right for everyone to use comfortably
Yeah, moisture-resistant paint is definitely worth it from a safety standpoint too. Regular paint peeling isn't just annoying - it can lead to mold growth underneath, especially in bathrooms where humidity's always high....