You nailed it with the critter comment. I’ve been in crawlspaces where mice had chewed right through PEX, but then again, I’ve also seen them gnaw on ...
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve seen plenty of cases where folks focus on downspouts and grading, only to find out the real culprit...
Those “extra efficient” wraps are mostly just thicker foam, honestly. I’ve tried a few brands and didn’t notice a huge difference compared to the regu...
I get the point about laminated tags being clear, but honestly, those things never lasted for me in a boiler room. I hear you, but if the tag’s gone ...
I hear you on not wanting to wait for the obvious signs. I’ve been called out to more than a few jobs where folks waited until there was rust in the s...
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen flex traps turn into a headache down the line, especially if someone decides to store cleaning supplies ...
Expanding foam with mesh—yeah, I’ve seen folks try it for rodent-proofing, especially in those weird little gaps around pipes. It can work, but you’re...
Closed-cell spray foam is definitely a solid choice, especially if you're dealing with recurring moisture issues. I've seen plenty of basements where ...
Rain barrels definitely win for simplicity, hands down. I installed a greywater setup for a client once—worked great at first, but after a few months,...
I get the appeal of ball valves, but honestly, I've done plenty of installs where gate valves lasted decades without issue. The key is quality—cheap g...
Couldn't agree more about painter's tape. I remember a job where the homeowner had labeled all the shut-off valves with masking tape. Of course, the b...
I had a customer deal with something similar a couple years back. She was dead set on keeping her grandma's old porcelain sink, so we gave the DIY kit...
That's a good point about the regulator. Years ago, I spent half a Saturday chasing down what I thought was a busted pipe somewhere in the crawlspace....
Totally get the frustration with all these sensors and lights. Last winter, I had a call from a customer whose boiler kept shutting off randomly. Turn...
Haha, been there myself more times than I'd like to admit. Had a similar head-scratcher once—customer's faucet kept dripping even after replacing ever...