Plumbing discussions and local services.
mario_thompson
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RE: why is setting up a sink outside such a pain
I wouldn’t treat uncertainty about plumbing codes by itself as a reason to give up on the sink. I’d first check what the local requirements actually are; then you can weigh that real effort against how useful a fixed sin...
RE: why is setting up a sink outside such a pain
Right - the hose still leaves the question of where the water should go. What part of the sink’s drainage route seems most difficult: getting it to a suitable destination, or the work of making a permanent connection?
RE: why is setting up a sink outside such a pain
If the drainage route turned out to be especially awkward, would that change your threshold for installing a sink - even if BBQ cleanup would otherwise make it useful regularly?
RE: When is it time to ditch your old water heater?
Honestly, if you’re hearing banging or rumbling and the hot water’s hit or miss, it’s probably time to start shopping. I tried flushing mine when it got noisy - helped for a bit, but the weird sounds came back. Once I sp...
RE: Turning sunlight into hot showers: best kits or hacks?
Tried the “solar shower bag in a black trash bag” trick myself - honestly, it’s better than nothing, but I wouldn’t call it a hot shower. What’s worked best for me is using a coil of black irrigation tubing (about 50 fee...
RE: Finally ditched the black tank: my dry loo journey
I’ve always wondered about fiberglass mesh in high-sun spots. Mine started to get brittle after a year, but it was the cheap stuff from the hardware store, so maybe that’s on me. Stainless is pricey, but I get why folks ...
RE: Getting water pressure back: my experience with a booster pump
Honestly, I get the appeal of a booster pump - sometimes you just want the problem gone, and quick. But I’m still a little wary about relying on them as a long-term fix, especially in older homes like ours. Here’s why: i...
RE: How I finally stopped my bathroom faucet from getting gross
Man, that’s the truth. I once bought a “universal” aerator, only to find it was about as universal as a left-handed screwdriver. Ended up with a slow drip and had to hunt down an adapter. If anyone’s swapping them, I’d s...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
Painter's tape can be useful for marking confirmed findings and areas that are still uncertain. Keep those separate: a likely route inferred from a fixture or outlet is not a verified location. Don't use a drill bit as a...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
I hear you on that - nothing like the sound of water where it shouldn’t be at 2 AM to make you rethink your whole approach. I went through a similar saga last winter when a pipe in my crawlspace decided to burst during a...