Plumbing discussions and local services.
markmagician
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RE: Green Drain Solutions: Baking Soda & Vinegar Vs. Enzyme Cleaners?
- Seen every drain trick in the book after years of dealing with tenants and old plumbing. I agree, enzyme cleaners are hit or miss - sometimes they loosen up a slow drain, but for anything major, they just don’t cut it....
RE: Making sure your home’s pipes are up to code - how I do it
- Had a similar debate with myself after a tenant left the water running and fried the kitchen floor. Tried those battery leak sensors - half of them died before they even caught anything. - Now I just do a walk-through ...
RE: Getting water pressure back: my experience with a booster pump
I get the hesitation with foam wrap, but I’ve actually had decent luck with it - especially in older basements where pipes sweat like crazy in summer. Trick is not to overdo it and leave some breathing room. Tight joints...
RE: Touchless taps and other faucet surprises
- Definitely agree on the calibration issues. I’ve swapped out a few in my rentals and it’s hit or miss - sometimes you get one that works fine for a year, then suddenly it’s like the sensor’s got a mind of its own. - Pl...
RE: Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?
Half flush kits are one of those things that sound great in theory, but in practice? More headaches than they’re worth. Here’s my two cents after wrangling with a few over the years: - The “savings” are usually pretty m...
RE: Finally got rid of those kitchen clogs for good
Baking soda and vinegar isn’t just internet nonsense, but it’s not a miracle worker either. I’ve used it as a maintenance thing between tenants - does help with smells, but won’t clear out a serious clog. Here’s what I’v...
RE: When your bathroom sink ends up off-center
Had a unit where the bathroom sink was off-center by a good three inches. Previous owner just caulked the heck out of it and wedged a shim underneath. That “temporary” fix lasted six years before the caulk finally gave u...
RE: Spin cycle issues: unplug and reset or dive straight into the filter?
Spin Cycle Issues: Unplug and Reset or Dive Straight Into the Filter? - If I had a dollar for every time someone hoped unplugging would fix a washer, I’d have… well, maybe enough for a coffee. In my experience, the “mag...
RE: Plumbing tips that change with the seasons
Plumbing Insulation: Moisture Is the Real Enemy Couldn’t agree more. After 20+ years dealing with rentals, I’ve seen every kind of insulation turn into a science experiment if there’s even a tiny leak. Here’s my take:...
RE: why is documenting plumbing connections such a nightmare?
Yeah, I’ve run into the same headaches. Paint pens just don’t hold up in basements or crawl spaces - humidity eats them alive. I’ve switched to those heavy-duty plastic tags with a fine-tip Sharpie. They’re not perfect, ...