Plumbing discussions and local services.
jjohnson35
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: When your heater ignores the thermostat: what would you do?
I get where you’re coming from. I just had a similar thing happen last winter - heater was acting up, and I immediately started thinking the worst (bad wire, fried board, etc). Turned out it was just a loose wire at the ...
RE: What do you keep on hand for sudden sewer backups?
Metal squeegees are definitely the way to go. I bought a cheap plastic one when we moved in and it snapped the first time I tried to clear out a mess. Not worth it. The metal one’s been solid, even with some pretty gross...
RE: Restaurant kitchen shut down after messy plumbing fiasco - thoughts?
Totally get this. I used to think little plumbing issues would just sort themselves out... learned the hard way that they don’t. Had a leaky valve under my sink for months, ignored it, and then bam - water everywhere, ca...
RE: When your water heater goes rogue: quick fixes and hacks
This is way too real. I tried to shortcut the drain pan install because it “looked fine,” and sure enough, a week later, the drywall was soft. Lesson learned. I don’t think doubling up with towels is overkill at all - if...
RE: Low-flow toilets: worth the hype or just a pain?
I was worried about this exact thing when I bought my place last year. Heard all the horror stories about low-flow toilets and figured I'd be plunging every other day. Ended up getting a newer Toto model and honestly, it...
RE: Saving water in the shower actually worked for me
Honestly, I didn’t even think about the caulking until I moved in and started noticing a weird musty smell in the bathroom. Turns out, there was a tiny crack right where the tub meets the tile. Didn’t look like much, but...
RE: Choosing between in-kitchen and underground grease traps - what would you do?
Kitchen trap all the way. When we moved in, the previous owners had an underground one and it was a nightmare. Out of sight meant out of mind for them, and by the time we noticed anything was wrong, the whole side yard r...
RE: Cracked Sink Dilemma: DIY Kit or Professional Fix?
I don’t know, I actually had better luck with the two-part kit than I expected. Mine was a hairline crack, not all the way through, and it’s held up for almost a year now - no yellowing yet. Maybe it depends on the brand...
RE: Plumber emergency: DIY quick fixes or call the pros?
Honestly, I get the appeal of DIY, but plumbing's one area I've learned to just bite the bullet and call someone. Tried replacing a faucet myself once - watched all the tutorials, felt confident... ended up stripping a v...
RE: anyone tried sustainable plumbing upgrades at home?
Yeah, mesh filters definitely help, but the pressure drop drives me nuts too. I switched to one of those spin-down sediment filters recently - pretty easy to flush out without dismantling the whole thing. Not perfect, bu...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
Sharpie on pipes is my go-to now too. Looks rough, but at least it stays put when things get messy. Live and learn, right?
RE: anyone tried sustainable plumbing upgrades at home?
I get the appeal of DIY troubleshooting, but honestly, greywater systems aren't always worth the hassle. I tried one last year thinking it'd be a straightforward way to save water and money... ended up being more trouble...
RE: license about to expire, what's the easiest way to renew?
Online renewal is usually the easiest route if your state offers it. I did mine online last year - took maybe 10 minutes tops, and they mailed me the new license within a week. Way better than dealing with DMV lines. Jus...
RE: Late-Night Plumbing Drama: DIY Fix or Call a Pro?
Yeah, learned that the hard way last month. Woke up to a mini lake under my kitchen sink around midnight - turned out it was just a loose connection, thankfully. But in my sleepy panic, I tightened it way too much and cr...