Plumbing discussions and local services.
ffisher18
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Battling stubborn tree roots in your pipes? Here’s what worked for me
I get what you’re saying about lining not being a cure-all, but honestly, I’ve seen foaming root killers do more harm than good sometimes. Had a job where the stuff just gummed up and made a clog worse. Lining at least g...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
Man, I hear you on that. Damp basements just love to eat up pipe wrap - especially the cheap stuff. I’ve tried everything from zip ties to duct tape, but humidity always wins eventually. At least you’re checking before w...
RE: Why do faucet handles turn opposite ways?
I’ve run into this a bunch, especially in older houses. The first time I swapped out a set, I thought I’d messed up the install because the hot handle felt “wrong” to turn. Had to take it apart twice before realizing it ...
RE: When your heater acts up: quick fixes that saved my winter
Funny you mention forgetting to clean those filters - I’ve done the same. I set a reminder on my phone, but half the time I’d snooze it and then just... not do it. Once, I pulled my filter out after a couple months and i...
RE: Why do faucet handles turn opposite ways?
Had a similar situation in an old duplex last month - tenant was baffled because both handles turned the same direction, but only one actually let water through. Turns out, someone had swapped in a random stem from a tot...
RE: WHEN YOUR LAWN TURNS INTO A SWAMP AFTER EVERY RAINSTORM
Yeah, I hear you on the compost thing. I tried something similar - hauled in a bunch of topsoil to “level things out,” but all it did was make a mud pit in one spot and a dust bowl in another. Extending the downspouts ma...
RE: Best ways to prep your home for sudden flooding?
Had a buddy who skipped the covers because he thought they looked ugly - ended up with a family of frogs in his window well and a clogged drain. I’d say ugly is better than a mini swamp. And yeah, sump pumps are only as ...
RE: Under sink vs. countertop filters: which is less hassle to install?
Last time I tried to swap out an under-sink filter at my aunt’s place, I ended up lying on my back with a flashlight in my mouth, wrestling with a shutoff valve that hadn’t budged since the Reagan years. By the time I go...
RE: Choosing between in-kitchen and underground grease traps - what would you do?
That’s exactly it, isn’t it? One way or another, you’re dealing with the same mess - just in a different spot. I’ve seen folks go to war with those big underground units and honestly, after watching one neighbor’s yard l...
RE: Need some advice on choosing new plumbing fixtures
Mixing chrome and nickel isn’t the end of the world, honestly. I’ve seen bathrooms where you’d never notice unless you were really looking for it. Once worked on a reno where the homeowner mixed both because she found a ...
RE: are water-saving toilets really worth the hype?
Yeah, I've noticed that too. Installed one at my parents' place last summer, and while it definitely cut down the water bill, my dad jokes he's now a "double-flusher." Guess it depends on the model you pick...
RE: Cracked Sink Dilemma: DIY Kit or Professional Fix?
I've had similar experiences with epoxy repairs - did a bathtub crack once, sanded it down, cleaned it meticulously, and used a pretty reputable epoxy kit. Looked great at first, but after about six months, hairline crac...
RE: shower goes ice cold when someone flushes toilet
Funny you mention that - I insulated mine a couple winters ago, mostly to save on heating bills, but it ended up helping with the shower freeze-outs too. Still get a bit of a chill when someone flushes downstairs, but it...
RE: ever wondered how faucets actually work?
Yeah, I've had similar experiences. A while back, I was helping my uncle fix an older faucet - couldn't find the exact cartridge anywhere locally. Ended up using one that was pretty close, just had to file down a couple ...
RE: weird plumbing inspection rules I just learned about
Haha, yeah, plumbing inspections can get surprisingly detailed. I remember working on a job once where the inspector actually timed how long it took for hot water to reach the faucet - had to be under a certain number of...