Plumbing discussions and local services.
james_roberts
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: When your bathroom helper needs a little TLC
RedGard is messy, but man, it’s saved me more than once. I remember the first time I tried to shortcut with some “waterproof” paint in a rental - big mistake. Six months later, the tenant called about a weird smell, and ...
RE: Why are so many people getting tripped up by bathroom sink installs lately?
Honestly, I’ve run into the same thing - those flex pipes sound great in theory, but I’ve had them start leaking after just a year or two. It’s usually the washers or those cheap plastic nuts that go first. With PVC, yea...
RE: When your heater acts up: quick fixes that saved my winter
I’ve definitely learned the hard way about those “quick fixes.” One winter, I stuffed towels around a drafty window and thought I was a genius - until I realized the condensation trapped underneath started growing mold. ...
RE: How would I remove this stem to replace it?
I get the whole “walk away” thing, but sometimes I think folks give up too soon. I’ve had a few stubborn stems where a little heat from a hair dryer (not a torch) plus some gentle tapping actually did the trick. Just got...
RE: Getting money back for swapping out old light fixtures?
I hear you on the rebate circus. Last time I swapped out a bunch of old fluorescents for LEDs, I thought I was being smart by keeping all the packaging and receipts in one spot - until my dog decided the box made a great...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
Couldn’t agree more - future-you always appreciates it. Here’s my quick trick: I snap a pic of the labeled pipes with my phone and stash it in a “house stuff” album. If a tag falls off or gets gunked up, I’ve still got a...
RE: Getting That Stubborn Dishwasher Working Again Without Calling a Repair Guy
That “mystery leak” scenario hits home. Last year, I thought I’d nailed my dishwasher install - checked every clamp, ran a test cycle, no drips. Two days later, I found a slow trickle pooling under the kickplate. Turns o...
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
Totally get what you mean about showers having a mind of their own. I’ve had one that started spraying straight out the side and soaked the bathroom door - felt like it was aiming for maximum chaos. You’re spot on about ...
RE: Kitchen sink disaster - DIY or call a plumber?
I get the “if it ain’t broke” logic, but flex pipes have burned me before. Had one under my old sink that looked fine until a slow leak started, and by the time I noticed, the cabinet floor was warped. Those ribs can tra...
RE: Drain upkeep tips after seeing that crazy news story
Drain Upkeep Tips After Seeing That Crazy News Story That fizzy show is pretty much all I ever got out of baking soda and vinegar, too. I used to swear by it (probably because my mom did), but the only time it actually ...
RE: Kitchen sink disaster - DIY or call a plumber?
Totally agree with you on the tape vs. sealant thing. I learned the hard way too - thought wrapping extra layers of plumber's tape would magically fix a leaky metal fitting under my sink. Nope...ended up with a slow drip...
RE: shower goes ice cold when someone flushes toilet
Haha, sounds familiar - I spent a weekend doing the same thing last fall. Insulating helped a lot, but what really made a difference for me was installing a pressure-balancing valve in the shower. Pretty straightforward ...
RE: WHAT IF YOUR PIPES STARTED TALKING BACK?
Had a similar issue last year - pipes banging like crazy whenever we turned off the shower. At first, I thought it was just water hammer, so I installed some arrestors near the valves. Helped a bit, but didn't completely...
RE: need some advice on setting up a rain harvesting setup at home
Good point about the steeper angle on the mesh - I had similar clogging headaches with mine at first. I also tried angling it more steeply, and it definitely helped me stretch out the time between cleanings. Eventually t...
RE: drain inspection cams: wired vs wireless, what's your pick?
Haha, totally relate to that "oddly satisfying" feeling - it's like finally threading a needle after ten tries. Personally, I lean towards wired cams too. Sure, the initial setup can feel like you're wrestling an angry o...