Plumbing discussions and local services.
ddavis51
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Battling stubborn tree roots in your pipes? Here’s what worked for me
Totally agree about demanding the camera footage - if they can’t show you what’s going on, it’s like paying a mechanic who won’t pop the hood. I’ve had plumbers try to sell me on a full pipe replacement just because they...
RE: What do you keep on hand for sudden sewer backups?
I know the wet/dry vac is the gold standard, but honestly, I’ve had more luck with a plain old mop and bucket for smaller backups. Less setup, less noise, and you don’t have to haul a beast up and down stairs. Maybe I’m ...
RE: Touchless taps and other faucet surprises
I get the frustration with batteries dying at the worst times, but I’ve actually had better luck with my touchless faucet than I expected. Maybe I just got lucky? It’s been two years and only needed new batteries once. H...
RE: LOW SHOWER PRESSURE: DOES THAT BOOSTER PUMP REALLY WORK?
Funny thing, I once spent half a day tearing apart pipes and fittings, only to find the culprit was a shutoff valve that looked open but was jammed halfway. Felt like an idiot, but at least my plumbing vocabulary got a w...
RE: Under sink vs. countertop filters: which is less hassle to install?
Push-to-connect is like plumbing for people who hate plumbing. Under-sink filters are a bit more work up front, but honestly, countertop ones always looked clunky to me and you get hoses everywhere. If you’re handy with ...
RE: Under sink vs. countertop filters: which is less hassle to install?
Honestly, I’d take a countertop filter over wrestling with pipes under the sink any day - my back thanks me. But yeah, they’re not exactly winning any beauty contests. I’ve got a Berkey and it’s basically a shiny water t...
RE: Kitchen Sink Money Drain: How Much Did You Spend Replacing Yours?
Man, that line hits home. I once tried to patch a cracked PVC trap with duct tape and a leftover tube of caulk from some other project. Looked like a mummy under my sink. It held for a week, then I woke up to the sound o...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
Totally agree, paper towels are underrated leak detectors. I've also used newspaper sheets - they wrinkle up pretty noticeably if moisture hits them. Honestly, moisture sensors seem cool until you realize you forgot to r...
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
Haha, been there... vinegar didn't do much for mine either. Turned out the rubber nozzles were toast - felt like showering under a sprinkler. Swapped it out, and now I'm back to civilized showers. Might be time to upgrad...
RE: anyone tried sustainable plumbing upgrades at home?
Rain barrels are great, but yeah, mosquitoes are no joke. I learned that lesson after turning my backyard into a mini Jurassic Park for bugs one summer...not fun. Another thing to watch out for is overflow - make sure yo...
RE: toilet disaster strikes again... help needed asap
Totally agree - wax is messy but it's saved my butt more times than I care to admit. Silicone rings look great on paper, but older houses laugh at "perfectly level" anything. Learned that lesson after two trips to Home D...
RE: need some advice on setting up a rain harvesting setup at home
Yeah, sealing those joints properly is definitely key. I went with PVC gutters myself - cheaper and easier to handle solo - but had to redo a couple sections after the first heavy rain. Also, about filters: I skipped the...