Plumbing discussions and local services.
dfire16
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RE: How much would you pay to fix water damage from a burst pipe?
You’re not wrong about the insurance headaches. In my experience, it’s hit or miss. I’ve had one claim where they covered almost everything - demo, drying, repairs - but that was after a lot of back and forth and documen...
RE: When your heater ignores the thermostat: what would you do?
I’ve had tenants call me in a panic after a power blip wiped out their thermostat settings - one even got locked out of the controls. I still keep an old analog thermometer handy just to double-check what the “smart” sys...
RE: Making sure your home’s pipes are up to code - how I do it
That’s about right. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to squeeze behind a toilet or under a sink just to tighten something by a quarter turn. For rentals, I stick with compression fittings in tight spots - less ...
RE: LOW SHOWER PRESSURE: DOES THAT BOOSTER PUMP REALLY WORK?
LOW SHOWER PRESSURE: DOES THAT BOOSTER PUMP REALLY WORK? Couldn’t agree more about checking the basics first. I’ve lost count of how many times tenants have complained about low pressure, and it turned out to be a half-...
RE: Need some advice on choosing new plumbing fixtures
I get the hesitation with push-fits behind walls - same here. I’ve had SharkBites last a decade in rentals, but if I’m sealing it up, I’ll sweat the joint every time. For exposed spots or quick repairs, push-to-connect s...
RE: Finally got rid of those kitchen clogs for good
Honestly, I’m not convinced enzyme cleaners are worth the hype either. I’ve had tenants swear by them, but when I actually checked the pipes after a few months, there wasn’t much difference compared to just using hot wat...
RE: How much would you pay to fix water damage from a burst pipe?
I’ve managed a few pipe bursts over the years, and you’re right - DIY rarely cuts it if water got behind anything. Even with insurance, I usually budget at least $1,500–$3,000 for pro drying and repairs. The “green” opti...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
Paint pens are great, but I’ve had mixed luck with them on old, rusty pipes - sometimes the marking just flakes off over time. Colored zip ties have been my go-to for years, especially when you’re crawling around in a ti...
RE: Getting more hot water from my solar heater - what am I missing?
Title: Insulation’s Good, But Don’t Overlook the Tank’s Age That’s spot on about the pipes - uninsulated runs in cold areas waste a ton of heat. Still, I wouldn’t write off tank wraps completely, especially for older ...
RE: SEPTIC SYSTEM NIGHTMARES: DID YOU KNOW THIS?
Couldn't agree more. I've managed a few rental properties with septic systems, and honestly, humor only goes so far. After a while, tenants just tune it out. What worked best for me was rotating between humor, straightfo...
RE: Rusty water heater woes - repair or replace?
I've had a hybrid heater running in one of my rentals for almost 5 years now. Honestly, it's been pretty solid - lower bills are definitely noticeable - but it did have one pricey repair about two years in. If you're han...