gadgeteer74
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RE: Rainwater toilets and greywater showers: City tries new water-saving tricks
That’s exactly it. I tried a rainwater flush system in one of my rentals - looked great on paper, but tenants weren’t thrilled about the extra filters and the occasional weird smell if someone forgot to clean the tank. F...
RE: Switching out a tub for a walk-in shower: copper vs. PEX pipes?
I get where you’re coming from - after years of dealing with repairs, I’ve honestly had more issues with old copper than with PEX. The only PEX problems I’ve seen were from really shoddy installs, like someone using the ...
RE: When your pipes burst at 2am: what would you actually do?
I get the argument for swapping out plastic valves, but I’ve actually had a couple brass ones seize up on me too, especially in older places where nobody’s touched them in years. Sometimes it feels like no matter what yo...
RE: How do you usually tackle installing a new drain - DIY or call in a pro?
Title: How do you usually tackle installing a new drain - DIY or call in a pro? That part really hits home. I’ve seen way too many “good deals” on DIY jobs turn into expensive fixes later, especially when it comes to ...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
You nailed it with the steel wool and caulk combo - those “natural” repellents never did much for me either. I’d add that checking for gaps isn’t just a spring thing, though. I’ve learned the hard way that mice love to f...
RE: Drain upkeep tips after seeing that crazy news story
Couldn’t agree more on the wipes - those things have cost me more than a few Saturday afternoons and a couple hundred bucks over the years. I’ve tried putting up signs in my rentals, but there’s always someone who thinks...
RE: Cracked Sink Dilemma: DIY Kit or Professional Fix?
That’s been my experience too. Ever tried dealing with tenants who “fixed” something with a kit and it failed mid-lease? Not fun. Do you all bother trying to salvage MDF vanities, or just swap them out once water damage ...
RE: When your living room is a sauna but your bedroom's an igloo
Had the same headache in one of my rentals last year. Before you blame the heat pump size, check if your doors are staying closed or if there’s anything blocking airflow between rooms - sometimes it’s just that simple. I...
RE: why is documenting plumbing connections such a nightmare?
Have you tried color-coding instead of just labeling? I started using colored zip ties on valves and pipes - red for hot, blue for cold, yellow for gas. Seems to hold up better long-term...anyone else doing something sim...
RE: Finally won the battle against invading tree roots
Landscaping fabric's fine for weeds and small stuff, but tree roots? Nah, learned that lesson the hard way. Had a rental property where roots from a neighbor's maple punched right through fabric and cracked the patio sla...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
Had a similar issue with a water-powered backup at one of my rentals - worked fine for lighter rains, but heavy storms overwhelmed it. Wonder if it's more about installation quality or just inherent limitations?
RE: Thermostat acting weird, DIY fix or call a pro?
Good tips, especially on firmware - I overlooked that once and wasted a whole afternoon troubleshooting wiring. Have you checked if your thermostat has a common wire (C-wire)? Some newer thermostats need one for consiste...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
Had a few of those late-night plumbing disasters myself - never fun. Do you have shut-off valves installed at key points? Saved me more than once from major water damage...worth considering if you haven't already.
RE: your go-to plumbing supplies - what do you always keep handy?
Honestly, plumber's tape and extra washers have saved me more times than I can count. But if we're talking must-have... gotta go with the bucket. Had a tenant call me once about a "small leak," and by the time I got ther...
RE: Easy ways to keep your solar water heater running smooth
Good points overall, but I'm not totally sold on the idea of hosing down the panels regularly. Sure, dust can build up, but in my experience, unless you're in a really dusty or pollen-heavy area, rain usually does a dece...