Plumbing discussions and local services.
inventor58
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Rainwater toilets and greywater showers: City tries new water-saving tricks
I get what you’re saying about the elbow grease, but I’m not totally convinced it has to be such a pain every time. I’ve actually started using a long-handled toilet brush (the cheap kind, nothing fancy) for the first pa...
RE: How do you handle the dirty work: DIY or call in the pros?
I’ve had mixed luck with compression fittings, honestly. Sometimes they’re solid, but I’ve had a couple start to seep after a year or two - maybe I overtightened? Push-fits have been fine for me on copper, but I always w...
RE: That weird hissing sound behind the bathroom door...
I totally get the paranoia about hidden mold. I once pulled up a corner of the baseboard in our bathroom just because I kept hearing a faint hiss and convinced myself there had to be a slow leak. Turned out it was just t...
RE: Quick fixes for middle-of-the-night bathroom leaks
I’ve had mixed luck with those putties too - sometimes they just kind of ooze off if the pipe’s still dripping. Has anyone tried using a bit of sandpaper to rough up the copper first? Wondering if that helps it stick bet...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
I get what you mean - sometimes the “old school” stuff just works, no drama. But I do like some of the smart sensors, as long as they’re not too finicky. I had one save me from a basement flood last spring, so I’m torn. ...
RE: How would I remove this stem to replace it?
I’ve actually used one of those rubber jar openers before, and honestly, it worked better than I expected. Sometimes I feel like the simplest tools are the least likely to mess things up, especially when you’re dealing w...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
Yeah, insulation really is the MVP. I used to rely on heat cables too, but honestly, I kept forgetting to check them until it was too late... Not my proudest moment. Since beefing up the insulation and sealing up drafts,...
RE: How much did you pay to fix your fridge's ice maker?
Compression fittings just feel more trustworthy, don’t they? I’ve had a similar experience - one of those “out of sight, out of mind” leaks that slowly warped the subfloor. It’s wild how a tiny drip can cause so much cha...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
Yeah, I’ve seen that spray foam trick too and it always seems like more trouble than it’s worth. I’m with you on the regular checks - definitely not glamorous, but I’d rather catch stuff early. I’ve been experimenting wi...
RE: What would you do if your basement started smelling musty overnight?
That’s hilarious about the potatoes, but also kind of gross. I always wonder if musty smells could be from stuff like old cardboard boxes or books too - those things just soak up moisture. Anyone ever found mold hiding i...
RE: Finally won the battle against invading tree roots
That’s wild about the grass going yellow right above the barrier. I’ve always wondered if those plastic ones just end up trading one problem for another. I’ve tried the fabric-style barriers in a small spot by my fence -...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
Yeah, I totally get that - my water sensor freaked out last winter too, and it was just because the humidity spiked after I ran the dryer. I still crawl around with a flashlight every couple weeks, just to be sure. Tech’...
RE: Plumbing pros weigh in: new app promises faster fixes and fewer headaches
Not sure I totally agree about YouTube always being the best backup. Don’t get me wrong, some of those videos have saved my bacon, but sometimes I end up more confused - like, there are a dozen ways to fix a leaky faucet...
RE: ever wondered how faucets actually work?
Haha, midnight faucet hauntings - that's a new one for me. But honestly, I think you're onto something about choosing the right tech rather than ditching it completely. I've had a touchless faucet in my kitchen for about...
RE: need some advice on plumbing stuff for DIY bathroom fix-up
I get what you're saying about some tools just collecting dust - I have a tile cutter that's been sitting untouched since I did my backsplash two years ago. But the basin wrench...yeah, gotta agree there. I borrowed one ...