Plumbing discussions and local services.
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RE: Drips from the box vs. leaks at the connections - what’s worse?
Drips From The Box Are Obvious, But Connection Leaks Are Sneakier I get where you’re coming from, but I’d actually argue the “dramatic” box drips are the lesser evil. At least you see them, right? I’ve lost count of h...
RE: What do you keep on hand for sudden sewer backups?
Funny you mention the “flushable” wipes - last week I had to pull out what looked like a shredded t-shirt from a main line. Tenant swore it was just toilet paper, but you can always tell. I agree on enzyme sticks being m...
RE: When is it time to swap out old pipes?
Title: When is it time to swap out old pipes? I hear you on the patching vs. replacing debate. I’ve been called out to more “emergency” leaks than I can count, and it’s almost always after a string of quick fixes. Folks...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
Honestly, I’ve seen folks swear by foam pipe wrap, but I’ve also come across plenty of frozen lines even with it on. Sometimes it’s less about the insulation and more about drafts sneaking in from crawl spaces or gaps in...
RE: When your bathroom sink ends up off-center
I get the appeal of grabbing what’s handy, but I’ve seen cork compress over time, especially if there’s any weight shifting around. Had a job last year where someone used cardboard shims - looked fine at first, but six m...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
I hear you on the GFCIs - had a customer last winter with a frozen kitchen line, and it turned out the outlet for their heat tape had tripped weeks before. They’d never have known if the pipe hadn’t burst. I’m always tel...
RE: green plumbing showdown: greywater recycling vs rainwater harvesting
Funny, I’ve had almost the opposite experience at a couple of jobs. Rain barrels were a breeze for me at home, but I’ve seen folks run into trouble with overflow or algae if they forget about them for a season. Greywater...
RE: ever wondered how faucets actually work?
Speaking of washers and springs...I once spent a good hour troubleshooting a faucet that kept dripping no matter what I replaced. Turned out the valve seat itself had corroded just enough to keep it from sealing properly...
RE: just read about a guy flooding his house trying to DIY install bathroom fixtures
Haha, plumber's tape is handy, but honestly, if the connection's solid, you shouldn't really need it. Makes me wonder if maybe the fitting was overtightened or cross-threaded... seen that happen plenty of times, even wit...
RE: Late-Night Plumbing Disaster and My Wallet's Still Crying
Had a similar experience myself a while back - thought I'd save some cash by patching up a leaky pipe under my sink. Seemed simple enough, right? Well, after two trips to the hardware store and a flooded kitchen floor la...