Plumbing discussions and local services.
drakes29
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Does the dishwasher drain hose care which side of the sink it connects to?
If minimizing disruption when the disposer eventually comes out is the main priority, I’d lean toward the branch tailpiece: the dishwasher hose can stay connected while the disposer is removed. The disposer inlet can sti...
RE: How do you handle the dirty work: DIY or call in the pros?
- Totally get where you’re coming from - water issues can spiral fast. - I’ve tried to DIY a leaky shutoff valve before and ended up with a mini flood. Not my proudest moment. - If it’s just a slow drip under the sin...
RE: Switching out a tub for a walk-in shower: copper vs. PEX pipes?
Copper vs. PEX always seems to come down to how much you enjoy crawling around in tight spaces and dealing with surprise “critter guests.” I laughed at this: That’s exactly it. Here’s where I’m at after a few projects...
RE: Best ways to deal with slow drains at home?
Totally get what you mean about the “ick” factor - pulling out that mystery gunk is never fun, but it does feel good to fix it yourself. I’m with you on this: The first time I used a flexi-brush, I was honestly surprise...
RE: Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?
Totally get where you’re coming from. I once tried to “upgrade” my own bathroom with a universal dual-flush kit - figured it’d be a quick Saturday project. Ended up with a half flush that barely moved any water, and a fu...
RE: When is it time to swap out old pipes?
- Ran into this exact scenario last year during my kitchen reno. Thought I could get away with leaving the old galvanized pipes since “they’re still working,” but then I found a section that was basically held together b...
RE: SEPTIC SYSTEM NIGHTMARES: DID YOU KNOW THIS?
If there's any suspicion of a fuel-gas leak, leave the area and call the gas utility or emergency service from a safe place. Don't stay to inspect the cap or use a switch, phone or flashlight near the suspected leak. On...
RE: finally figured out my boiler plumbing - anyone else find it tricky?
- Totally agree about the tape. Even the “industrial” stuff just turns into a sticky mess after a couple seasons of boiler sweat. - Metal tags - yeah, I’ve used them. They’re basically permanent, which is both good and b...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
- Not totally convinced “burst-proof” is just marketing. I’ve had braided lines last 10+ years, no issues. - Over-tightening is definitely a killer, though - seen it wreck more setups than cheap hoses ever did. - Regular...
RE: Help, my basement drain's backing up again...
Totally with you on the scoping - no sense in digging blind. Here’s something I’ve wondered: if you do find roots but the pipe’s not actually broken, is there a way to keep them out long-term without trenching? I’ve hear...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
Good reminder about water pressure - hadn't really thought about that angle before. Makes me wonder, though... is there a specific type or brand of pressure relief valve that's better suited for residential setups? Curio...
RE: WHAT IF YOUR PIPES STARTED TALKING BACK?
Good points about pressure and leaks, but honestly, sometimes pipes just creak without a serious underlying issue. Had mine checked twice - pressure was fine, no leaks, nothing damp anywhere - but they still randomly gro...
RE: Finally got my bathroom reno right for everyone to use comfortably
- Interesting that insulation alone helped so much with your condensation issues. I've been debating whether to insulate my ducts too, but I wasn't sure if the change would be noticeable enough. Good to hear it worked fo...
RE: just dealt with a gas leak scare - anyone else used those home detectors?
A clear model-specific diagram would help more than another general height rule. If people share the model number and the fuel they're trying to detect, the discussion can point to the right instructions instead of compa...
RE: need some advice on plumbing stuff for DIY bathroom fix-up
- Good tip about watching your fingers - I had one of those close calls myself. Those plastic shims are slippery little suckers, especially when you're trying to trim them down. - I get what you're saying about composit...