Plumbing discussions and local services.
calligrapher77
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RE: Simple tricks to save water and keep inspectors happy
I’d prioritize avoiding the repeated bucket-and-carry effort. Waiting for a full dishwasher load is usually a one-time adjustment to the schedule, while carrying water adds a chore each time you collect it; if the bucket...
RE: How much does tighter radiant tubing spacing add to the design cost?
Yes - a predicted floor-surface temperature variation for the areas people use could make the comfort comparison more concrete, using the same covering and design conditions for both spacings. It’s still an estimate, not...
RE: How much does tighter radiant tubing spacing add to the design cost?
For example, if the room has high heat demand, the same covering is used in both comparisons, and the wider spacing falls short of the required output unless the water is run impractically hot, tighter spacing could just...
RE: Warm floors, lower bills: my best winter upgrade yet
Honestly, I used a mix - regular silicone caulk for most of the little cracks, but for the bigger gaps around baseboards I went with backer rod and then sealed over it. It’s not glamorous, but after years of managing ren...
RE: When your basement smells like rotten eggs: weird facts about wastewater mishaps
Couldn’t agree more about the risk with those bolt-on kits. I’ve tried them in a couple of my older rentals - one time it held up, but another time I was back two months later dealing with a nasty leak and a tenant who w...
RE: Why are so many people getting tripped up by bathroom sink installs lately?
Couldn’t agree more about the flex traps. I’ve seen way too many tenants call about leaks or weird smells, and it’s almost always those cheap flex pipes. They’re just not built for the long haul, especially if you’ve got...
RE: What do you keep on hand for sudden sewer backups?
I get where you're coming from with the powered snakes - I've seen more than a few tenants try to be heroes with those things and end up making a mess, or worse, cracking old cast iron. Manual snake's slower, but at leas...
RE: Need some advice on choosing new plumbing fixtures
Honestly, I get the appeal of sticking with Moen or Delta for the sake of easy repairs, but I’ve had plenty of their “workhorse” faucets start dripping after just a couple years - especially in high-traffic rentals. Some...
RE: How much did you pay to fix your fridge's ice maker?
Honestly, I get the appeal of saving a buck, but after dealing with tenants for years, I’ve learned that “quick fixes” can turn into repeat headaches. That $180 might sting upfront, but if you factor in your own time, po...
RE: How much would you pay to fix water damage from a burst pipe?
Couldn’t agree more. Folks underestimate how sneaky water can be - just because the surface feels dry doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. I learned this the hard way after a tenant had a fridge line leak. We thought we’d c...
RE: Simple ways to avoid accidental water contamination at home
Couldn’t agree more about hoses causing problems - seen it too many times in my rentals. Folks don’t realize how quickly you can mess up your water with a simple mistake. Those vacuum breakers are a no-brainer; I started...
RE: Water pooling in basement - could it be a sneaky drain issue?
Couldn’t agree more about the “more layers, more problems” thing. I’ve seen too many folks over-engineer drainage and end up with a swamp under their foundation. A clear, accessible drain line beats a fancy setup every t...
RE: Getting That Stubborn Dishwasher Working Again Without Calling a Repair Guy
That’s the truth. I’ve walked into more than one unit where someone thought a beach towel would “catch it all.” Spoiler: it never does. One thing I always check - besides the hoses - is that little plastic drain line cla...
RE: Choosing between in-kitchen and underground grease traps - what would you do?
I get where you’re coming from, but I’d actually push back a bit on the “cheaper up front” part. In my experience, the in-kitchen traps *look* cheap at first, but you end up paying for it in labor and headaches. Every ti...
RE: Getting more hot water from my solar heater - what am I missing?
You’d be surprised how much heat those attic runs can suck out, even if the insulation “looks okay.” I’ve had tenants swear their water heater was busted, but it turned out to be a drafty attic and some lazy pipe wrappin...