I totally get wanting to keep things simple, especially when it comes to plumbing. It’s easy to underestimate how much maintenance can add up with the...

That’s been my experience too. Thermal cameras are great for a quick scan, but I’ve chased a few “leaks” that turned out to be nothing more than a poo...

I get why folks like wax rings—they’re cheap and reliable, but I’ve actually had better luck with the wax-free seals. They’re less messy and, in my ex...

Those zip tie tags are a classic “seemed like a good idea at the time” move. I tried them once on my own system, thinking I was being clever and thrif...

Honestly, I’ve had the same issue with tags—especially the plastic ones, which just don’t hold up over time. I switched to using metal tags with an en...

Couldn’t agree more—sometimes you just have to admit defeat and swap the whole thing out. I’ve found that even “eco-friendly” valves can be hit or mis...

Pressure regulators definitely go bad from time to time, so it's not just your luck. I've had a similar experience at my place—noticed the water press...

Good points about patience and ventilation. I'd also add, from an eco-friendly perspective, that epoxy isn't exactly the most environmentally friendly...

Good points about silicone—I've found the same thing. It's definitely a solid choice, but not foolproof. Personally, I've had better luck with silicon...