Plumbing discussions and local services.
jwood78
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Battling stubborn tree roots in your pipes? Here’s what worked for me
PVC definitely seems to be the go-to these days, but does anyone worry about shifting soil or ground movement messing with those joints over time? I’ve seen PVC crack in weird spots after a few years, especially if the b...
RE: Rainwater toilets and greywater showers: City tries new water-saving tricks
That’s the million-dollar question, honestly. I’ve seen so many “innovative” installs that look great for the ribbon-cutting, then start falling apart a couple years in. Maintenance always seems to get the short end of t...
RE: Why do faucet handles turn opposite ways?
That’s an interesting take, but I’m not totally convinced matching stems is always the answer. I mean, yeah, it’s cleaner and makes future repairs easier, but sometimes you just don’t have the luxury of tracking down the...
RE: Why do faucet handles turn opposite ways?
Funny thing about those faucet handles - I've always wondered why they can't just standardize the direction. I mean, I've worked on a bunch of different models, and sometimes hot turns left, sometimes right... it gets co...
RE: Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?
Honestly, I’ve wondered the same thing. Those retrofit kits always seem like a good idea until you’re fiddling with a wrench at midnight, right? I’ve seen older tanks where the flush just doesn’t have enough “oomph” for ...
RE: When your bathroom sink ends up off-center
Honestly, I get the temptation to just patch things up and move on, but I always wonder - doesn’t it end up costing more in the long run? I’ve seen those “temporary” fixes turn into a real headache, especially when water...
RE: Why do faucet handles turn opposite ways?
I’ve always wondered if there’s an actual reason for the hot handle turning the “wrong” way, or if it’s just a result of decades of random installs and mismatched parts. I’ve seen some old valve stems that only fit one w...
RE: When your living room is a sauna but your bedroom's an igloo
I get where you’re coming from, but isn’t there a point where gadgets actually help? Like, if you’ve sealed everything up and still have hot/cold spots, maybe a zoned system or a smart vent setup could be worth it. I’ve ...
RE: LOW SHOWER PRESSURE: DOES THAT BOOSTER PUMP REALLY WORK?
I’ve actually seen a pressure issue that ended up being all about a faulty pressure switch, not the plumbing. Guy was ready to swap out his whole pump, but it was just a worn contact in the switch - nothing to do with pi...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
Ever try the foam pipe wrap with the adhesive seam? I know you mentioned spray foam’s a pain, but the pre-slit foam tubes are a bit less messy and still offer decent insulation. Curious if you ran into condensation issue...
RE: green plumbing showdown: greywater recycling vs rainwater harvesting
I get the appeal of keeping things simple - gravity does a lot of the work if you set it up right. But from what I’ve seen, even “basic” diverters and valves can get gummed up if you’re not on top of cleaning them out. E...
RE: Water pressure woes - anyone else dealt with this?
Funny you mention the aerators - I've seen so many folks overlook those tiny screens. Grit and little bits from city work love to camp out there and can really mess with your pressure. Ever tried unscrewing one after a b...
RE: Cracked Sink Dilemma: DIY Kit or Professional Fix?
I get where you're coming from, but is it really fair to pin that on DIY itself? I've seen plenty of professional jobs go sideways too - sometimes even worse than amateur fixes. Like, a buddy of mine hired a plumber to r...
RE: Help, my basement drain's backing up again...
Have you checked if there's a floor drain trap that's dried out? Sometimes a dry trap can let sewer gases back up and cause weird drainage issues. Also curious - when it backs up, is it after heavy rain or just randomly?...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
Labeling by room can work, but honestly, labeling by function has saved me way more headaches in the long run. Think about it - if you have a leak or something urgent, you're probably thinking "shut off the dishwasher" r...