Plumbing discussions and local services.
climbing406
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RE: What should a household gas-emergency checklist include?
That could make the headcount more useful: if someone is missing, the person speaking to responders can share where that person was last known to be and what help they may need. That gives responders context without anyo...
RE: Why sump pumps are the unsung heroes under your house
Funny you mention the noisy pump - I used to complain about ours until the one time it didn’t kick on during a huge storm. Woke up to squishy carpet and a musty smell that lingered for weeks. After that, I actually start...
RE: Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?
Funny you mention the noise - my partner calls our pressure-assist toilet “the jet engine.” It does the job, though, and I’ll take a little racket over having to flush twice. I used to have one of those early dual-flush ...
RE: Getting water pressure back: my experience with a booster pump
Funny you mention the rubber pads - that’s exactly what we did after the first night. I was worried about the noise too, especially since I’m all about keeping things peaceful (and energy efficient) at home. We actually ...
RE: Best ways to deal with slow drains at home?
I’ve actually had some luck with the wet/dry vac trick, especially when the clog’s just a mushy mess of hair and soap. It’s not a miracle worker, but it’s saved me from having to unscrew the trap a couple times. I do get...
RE: Best ways to prep your home for sudden flooding?
I’ve actually tried those sandless flood bags during a flash flood warning last spring. They’re way lighter to stash in the garage, but I found they don’t always expand as much as you’d hope if the water’s cold. Still be...
RE: Best ways to prep your home for sudden flooding?
Funny you mention the floating bins - my cousin had the same thing happen with old family photos. They thought a “tough” plastic tote was enough, but it just bobbed around until it cracked open. I started using those dry...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
Heat-shrink tubing is one of those things I always mean to try but never quite get around to. I tend to overthink it - like, will it actually stay put with all the condensation, or am I just making more plastic waste? I’...
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
Yeah, I hear you on the “anti-clog” claims. I’ve tried a few of those fancy showerheads and, honestly, they all end up spraying sideways eventually. Our water’s loaded with minerals, so it’s kind of a losing battle. I do...
RE: Water pressure woes - anyone else dealt with this?
Had to deal with a tangle of old galvanized pipes in my first house - total headache. The water pressure was so bad, I could barely rinse shampoo out of my hair. I tried flushing the lines, but those pipes were just too ...
RE: why is documenting plumbing connections such a nightmare?
Totally get what you mean about the “never-ending puzzle.” I had a similar headache last winter when I was trying to figure out why my kitchen sink was only getting lukewarm water. I’d wrapped all the pipes in eco insula...
RE: What if your street flooded because drains were clogged?
Yeah, I get where you’re coming from. Last year, my neighbor tried to pull a huge branch out of a storm drain and ended up snapping it off inside - made things worse and the whole street was a mess for days. I just stick...
RE: Finally tackled my noisy pipes and feeling pretty proud
That’s exactly my problem too - earplugs and noisy tools make me miss half my phone’s alerts. I actually scribbled a rough checklist on the back of an old cereal box for the pipe project (recycling at its finest, right?)...
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
I've had mixed luck with CLR myself - worked great on the kitchen faucet, but weirdly didn't do much for my shower head. Ended up soaking it overnight in vinegar and baking soda, and that finally did the trick. Silicone ...
RE: Water pressure woes - anyone else dealt with this?
Interesting point about the PRV, hadn't thought of that angle. Still, from my own experience, galvanized pipes can be a bigger headache than people realize. When we first moved into our older home, the water pressure was...