Plumbing discussions and local services.
karenhiker
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: A leak alarm can’t shut off the water
If you knew how a particular shutoff behaves during a power failure, which concern would weigh more: temporarily losing water, or a leak continuing until someone can intervene? That seems like a different disruption to w...
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
Seen that one too many times... I once got called for a “leaking ceiling” and it turned out the guy had drilled straight through his shower arm trying to “clear blockages.” Sometimes the fix is simpler than folks think. ...
RE: That weird hissing sound behind the bathroom door...
Had a call once where the “hiss” turned out to be a pinhole leak in a copper pipe - tiny, but it sprayed like Old Faithful once the pressure built up. The tenant thought it was just air in the line and ignored it for day...
RE: Rainwater toilets and greywater showers: City tries new water-saving tricks
I hear you - maintenance-free is a unicorn, especially with rainwater and greywater setups. I’ve had my fair share of “quick fixes” that turned into full-blown Saturday sagas. Honestly, the filters alone can be a money p...
RE: When your pipes burst at 2am: what would you actually do?
Had a remote shutoff freeze up on me once - right when I needed it most, of course. Ended up sprinting to the basement in my pajamas, cursing smart tech the whole way. Still, I keep one installed... just label your manua...
RE: What do you keep on hand for sudden sewer backups?
Buckets and rags - classic move. I’d say you’re already ahead of most folks who find out the hard way that “miracle” enzymes are more like wishful thinking in a bottle. I’ve seen those enzyme products turn a slow drain i...
RE: When is it time to swap out old pipes?
Mixed piping is basically plumbing roulette - never know what’s gonna leak next. I’ve seen patch jobs turn into a full-blown scavenger hunt, especially when you add in decades-old repairs. Sometimes biting the bullet on ...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
Turning off the main is never overkill - trust me, you only need to get sprayed once to learn that lesson. I’ve lost more than one flashlight to the “mystery liquid” under the sink, and let’s just say my phone doesn’t go...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
Had a sensor go off once because my dog drooled too close to it - nearly took a year off my life. I get the paranoia about missing leaks, though. Honestly, I wish these things could tell the difference between a puddle a...
RE: Choosing between in-kitchen and underground grease traps - what would you do?
I get where you’re coming from - nobody’s lining up to freeze their fingers off wrestling with a frozen manhole cover at 7am. In-kitchen traps are definitely easier to access, and if you’re diligent about cleaning, you c...
RE: Kitchen Sink Money Drain: How Much Did You Spend Replacing Yours?
I get where you're coming from about stainless steel not always living up to its name, but honestly, rust isn't always a sign of poor quality. Sometimes even decent stainless steel can rust if it's exposed to harsh clean...
RE: SEPTIC SYSTEM NIGHTMARES: DID YOU KNOW THIS?
You're definitely onto something about willows - they're basically the plumbing world's equivalent of a horror movie villain. I've seen their roots travel over 50 feet just to invade a septic line. Poplars and silver map...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
Laminated sheets have saved my bacon a few times too, but honestly, they're not foolproof either. Last time I grabbed mine mid-emergency, the ink had smudged from moisture seeping in (I know, ironic...). I've found using...
RE: toilet disaster strikes again... help needed asap
That's solid advice, but honestly, I've found that sometimes even a quick bucket test can be misleading. Had a similar issue last year - bucket drained fine, but the toilet still wouldn't flush properly. Turned out to be...
RE: sink's spraying water everywhere - what do you grab first?
Quarter-turn valves are handy, but honestly, I've had a couple seize up on me too. Multi-turns can be fine if you exercise them regularly - just give 'em a twist every few months. Preventive maintenance beats emergency p...