Plumbing discussions and local services.
cathycollector
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Turning sunlight into hot showers: best kits or hacks?
That bucket’s saved my bacon more than once. I’ve put in a few hybrid heat pump units - Rheem and AO Smith mostly. They’re quieter than they used to be, but still not exactly whisper-quiet. The savings are real if your e...
RE: Keeping water out of the basement: what’s actually worked for you?
Man, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen folks spend a fortune on fancy pumps when all they needed was another five feet of downspout. Had a customer last fall - kept mopping up water in the basement, thought his f...
RE: Finally ditched the black tank: my dry loo journey
Had a possum chew through my vent stack once - never thought I’d see the day. Stainless mesh saved me a second round, but yeah, that stuff’s not cheap. I’ve found even the tiniest gap behind a pipe can turn into a critte...
RE: Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?
Yeah, lowering the float can backfire pretty quick. I’ve seen folks try to save water that way, but then you’re just stuck with weak flushes and, like you said, double flushing. Half flush buttons are notorious for stick...
RE: Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?
Vinegar does the trick for a lot of folks, but in my experience, it doesn’t always get deep into the stubborn buildup - especially if you’ve got hard water. I’ve seen people scrub and soak for days, only to have the ring...
RE: LOW SHOWER PRESSURE: DOES THAT BOOSTER PUMP REALLY WORK?
Yeah, I’ve lost count of how many times it’s just a clogged shower head or a half-shut valve under the sink. Folks jump to boosters, but like you said, if the pipes are shot, you’re just pushing harder on a bad system. H...
RE: Choosing between in-kitchen and underground grease traps - what would you do?
Ain’t that the truth. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve walked into a place where the manager swore up and down they had a “system,” only to find the under-sink trap packed solid with old grease and potato peels. Do...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
You nailed it with the “more complicated, more points of failure” bit. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been called out because someone’s “smart” valve wouldn’t shut off when it mattered. Give me a good old-fashioned ba...
RE: Water pooling in basement - could it be a sneaky drain issue?
Yeah, that’s a classic sign. I’ve seen folks tear up half their yard thinking it’s a busted foundation, only to find a loose washer hose behind the scenes. Sometimes it’s just the little things - like a cracked drain boo...
RE: anyone tried sustainable plumbing upgrades at home?
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 old copper just for the heck of it. Seems like if they want in, they’l...
RE: Water pooling in basement - could it be a sneaky drain issue?
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’s a clogged footing drain or a collapsed old clay tile. Sometimes you...
RE: Getting more hot water from my solar heater - what am I missing?
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 regular stuff, as long as you get a snug fit and seal the joints well. As ...
RE: Burst pipe panic: what would you do?
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 because the lamination peeled off from the steam, it’s not much help. ...
RE: When is it time to swap out old pipes?
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 sink or that weird metallic taste, and by then, it’s rarely just a simp...
RE: When your bathroom sink ends up off-center
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 under the sink and bumps them around. Those accordion-style bends can ...