Plumbing discussions and local services.
esage36
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Drips from the box vs. leaks at the connections - what’s worse?
I get where you're coming from, but I’ll take a slow drip over a gusher any day - at least with a drip, you’re less likely to have catastrophic flooding or need to call in emergency plumbers at 2am. That said, both are h...
RE: Finally got my bathroom reno approved - permit process wasn’t as scary as I thought
- Seen the same thing - one guy checked every outlet, another barely glanced at the panel. - For caulk, I’ve had better luck with the 100% silicone stuff, but it’s a pain to work with. - “Mildew-proof” is marketing fluff...
RE: Quick fixes for middle-of-the-night bathroom leaks
- Painter’s tape and a Sharpie are clutch, but I’ve started using those cheap plastic key tags with labels for valves - less likely to peel off in a damp basement. - Towels always do more than the mop, agreed. I keep a...
RE: Quick fixes for middle-of-the-night bathroom leaks
- Pencil-in-the-pipe is one of those tricks that sounds clever but rarely works in real life. Wood swells, sure, but it just turns to mush and makes the mess worse. - Duct tape’s solid for a temporary fix, but only if yo...
RE: When your bathroom sink ends up off-center
- Totally agree, old houses are a nightmare for “level.” I keep a stack of composite shims in the truck just for this. - For silicone lines, I’ve had better luck with frog tape than standard painter’s tape - seems to ble...
RE: When the Toilet Floods at Midnight: My DIY Save
I get why folks like the auto-shutoff valves, but honestly, I’ve moved away from relying on them as my main line of defense. Here’s why: - They’re great when they work, but mechanical shutoffs can stick or fail if you d...
RE: Need some advice on choosing new plumbing fixtures
- Finish matters more than I used to think - cheap chrome flakes off in rentals, and tenants notice. Brushed nickel or stainless holds up better, especially if you’ve got hard water. - Warranty is hit or miss. Some brand...
RE: Under sink vs. countertop filters: which is less hassle to install?
- Under-sink installs are a workout, but once they’re in, tenants forget about them - less maintenance calls for me. Countertop units get moved, lost, or “accidentally” broken. Faucet-mounts are quick, but I’ve had tenan...
RE: When the Toilet Floods at Midnight: My DIY Save
That “squish” you mentioned is exactly why I stick with wax in my rentals. Had a rubber gasket fold over on me once - tenant called about a “weird smell,” and sure enough, water everywhere. Lesson learned: wax might be m...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
Frost-free faucets are a bit overrated in my book - seen too many fail because folks skip the basics. Here’s what I run through every fall, especially after getting burned by a split pipe behind the wall a few years back...
RE: Why does swapping out a busted ice maker cost so much?
Yeah, those hidden shutoff valves are the worst - had one behind a built-in once, took me half an hour just to find it. I’d add: sometimes you get old copper lines that kink if you so much as look at them funny. Liabilit...
RE: green plumbing showdown: greywater recycling vs rainwater harvesting
I've found copper decent for short-term setups, but zinc has definitely been my go-to for longer-term reliability. A few years back, I set up a rainwater harvesting system with copper piping and it worked great initially...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
Been there - those overlooked spots can really bite you. Couple extra tips: - Always double-check exterior vents; they're sneaky cold-air culprits. - Consider pipe heating cables for vulnerable areas... saved me more tha...
RE: are water-saving toilets really worth the hype?
I've installed water-saving toilets in several of my rental units over the years, and the feedback's pretty mixed. A few tenants mentioned the flush feels weaker, especially with older plumbing systems. But overall, main...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
Yep, that's the sneaky thing about leaks - they rarely happen where you'd expect. Had a tenant call me once at midnight because water was dripping from their ceiling fan. Turns out, upstairs neighbor's dishwasher line ha...