Plumbing discussions and local services.
jallen79
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RE: When your heater ignores the thermostat: what would you do?
I get that, but sometimes the old stuff just stops doing its job, too. Had a call last winter where the heater ignored the thermostat completely - turned out the wiring insulation was so brittle it crumbled in my hand. W...
RE: What would you do if your septic tank alarm went off while you’re on vacation?
That’s true, but I’ve seen batteries fail too - especially if they’re not tested regularly. Sometimes folks rely on backups and forget maintenance is just as important. I’d argue regular checks matter more than the fanci...
RE: Why does swapping out a busted ice maker cost so much?
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen too many “solid” gaskets turn brittle a week later. Maybe it’s overkill, but I’d rather swap them out while I’m in there than risk a callback. Those universal kits are defini...
RE: Gravel Vs. Corrugated Pipe: Which Works Better For Drain Fixes?
Ever tried using solid pipe instead of corrugated in those root-heavy spots? I’ve seen folks swear by it, especially when there are big trees nearby. It’s a bit more work to get the slope right, but less chance for roots...
RE: Gravel or pipe? Weird things I learned about backyard drainage
I get where you’re coming from - pipes can be a pain if they’re not put in right, or if you’ve got a lot of trees dropping junk into the system. But I’ve actually seen some setups last a good decade or more without major...
RE: Saving water in the shower actually worked for me
That’s a good point about low-flow heads and buildup. I’ve pulled apart shower valves where the inside looked like it was coated in chalk - hard water plus not enough flow seems to be a bad combo. Curious, has anyone tri...
RE: LOW SHOWER PRESSURE: DOES THAT BOOSTER PUMP REALLY WORK?
Had a job last year where the owner swore a booster pump would fix everything. Ended up tracing the issue to 60-year-old pipes packed with mineral crud. Pump barely made a dent until we swapped out the worst sections. So...
RE: How much did you pay to fix your fridge's ice maker?
Honestly, I don’t always think replacing both is necessary if the valve looks solid and there’s no corrosion. Sometimes those old brass valves outlast the fridge itself. I get wanting to avoid a second leak, but I’ve see...
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
Ever run into a shower arm that’s got buildup inside too? I’ve seen cases where folks clean or swap the head, but the spray’s still wild because there’s gunk in the pipe itself. Curious if you ever bother checking that p...
RE: How much did you pay to fix your fridge's ice maker?
Push-to-connects have definitely made my life easier too, especially when I’m on a tight schedule. That said, I’ve seen a couple start leaking after a year or two - usually when someone’s yanked on the fridge too hard. M...
RE: do you pay attention to water-saving rules when fixing stuff at home?
Haha, exactly my experience with some of those budget showerheads. Curious though, have you ever had issues with tenants trying to remove or swap out the fixtures you installed? I've had a couple renters quietly replace ...
RE: shower goes ice cold when someone flushes toilet
Pressure-balancing valves definitely help, but if your pipes are really old or undersized, it might just be a band-aid fix. Did you notice any improvement in overall water pressure after installing yours, or just fewer i...
RE: green plumbing showdown: greywater recycling vs rainwater harvesting
Good tip on the lint filter... learned that one the hard way. I installed a basic diverter valve last summer but skipped the filter at first (figured it wasn't necessary). Within a couple months, my drip irrigation lines...