Plumbing discussions and local services.
khawk71
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Why sump pumps are the unsung heroes under your house
I get where you’re coming from - battery backups are better than nothing, but I’ve seen a lot of folks get caught off guard when the outage drags on. Six hours sounds about right for most standard batteries, but if your ...
RE: How I stopped my backyard from turning into a swamp after rain
Rain gardens are kind of a gamble in heavy clay, at least from what I’ve seen. If you dig a pit and fill it with gravel, you might get lucky, but sometimes you just end up with a mini pond that never drains. Dry wells ar...
RE: When Your Fancy Toilet Sprayer Has a Mind of Its Own
That’s a classic. Honestly, half the time I’m fixing these, it’s not the plumbing - it’s the power. If you’re stuck with no GFCI nearby, safest bet is to get an electrician to add one. Extension cords in the bathroom are...
RE: When your heater ignores the thermostat: what would you do?
Couldn’t agree more. First thing I check is always the thermostat, especially if it’s one of those touchscreen ones. Quick steps: pop the cover, check for loose wires, swap batteries, then see if it’ll reset. Nine times ...
RE: When your heater acts up: quick fixes that saved my winter
Been there. Filters are one of those things you only remember when something starts rattling or smelling off. I always tell folks: if you can change a lightbulb, you can swap a heater filter. Here’s my quick-and-dirty me...
RE: Saving water in the shower actually worked for me
Title: Saving Water in the Shower Actually Worked for Me Had to laugh at the “polar plunge” - I’ve seen that look on a customer’s face too many times. Those push-button shutoffs are a good idea in theory, but if your mi...
RE: How much would you pay to fix water damage from a burst pipe?
Honestly, I think you’re on the right track here. Jumping straight to tearing out a bunch of drywall is kind of a knee-jerk move, especially if you’re not sure how far the water traveled. I’ve been called into jobs where...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
Yeah, squirrels and mice seem to have a sixth sense for finding the warmest spots in a crawlspace. I’ve seen folks spend a fortune on those insulated boxes, but honestly, they’re not foolproof either - especially if you’...
RE: Why does swapping out a busted ice maker cost so much?
Had a customer once who insisted on keeping their saddle valve because “it’s worked for 15 years.” Sure enough, two weeks after I swapped the ice maker, they called back with water all over the floor. If you’re going to ...
RE: Burst pipe panic: what would you do?
Good points overall, but honestly, labeling valves clearly only helps if you actually remember to look at the labels when you're panicking. I've seen people (myself included) stare right at a clearly labeled valve and st...
RE: Sink monster making weird noises and not grinding right
The ice cube trick definitely helps with glass bits, but I'd be cautious about baking soda and vinegar. Occasional use is probably fine, but vinegar can be pretty acidic, and over time it might degrade rubber seals or co...
RE: Sink monster making weird noises and not grinding right
Yeah, totally agree that removing the whole thing is usually way more hassle than it's worth. But sometimes those plastic bits can wedge themselves in pretty tight spots. If pliers or tongs don't do the trick, try using ...
RE: Kitchen sink disaster - DIY or call a plumber?
Had a similar experience myself - thought I'd save some cash replacing a faucet cartridge. Ended up stripping the valve threads and turning a 30-minute job into a full-day ordeal. DIY's great, but knowing your limits sav...
RE: why is documenting plumbing connections such a nightmare?
Yeah, tablets are handy until you're halfway through a job and the screen goes dark. I've tried a couple solar chargers, and honestly, most of them are pretty hit-or-miss. The key is getting one with a decent wattage (at...
RE: Eco-Friendly Ways to Keep Your Drains Clear and Fresh
Honestly, baking soda and vinegar are fine for minor upkeep, but they're not as effective long-term as people think. Regular hot water flushes and using drain catchers make a bigger difference overall... simpler, cheaper...