Plumbing discussions and local services.
nancyr46
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Is this cabinet moisture condensation, or an active sink leak?
Dye can confirm that basin water reached a particular spot, but it can’t identify the route by itself. Rim water and drain water are the same dyed water once they’re in the cabinet, so both can make a suspected drain lea...
RE: Why sump pumps are the unsung heroes under your house
I hear you on the peace of mind - nothing like knowing your basement won’t suddenly become a swimming pool during a storm. I’m all for the AGM setup too, though I’ll admit I once neglected mine for, uh, longer than “a fe...
RE: Touchless taps and other faucet surprises
That “landing a plane” bit is spot on. I can’t count how many times I’ve been elbow-deep in a leaky pipe job and caught someone in the kitchen doing interpretive dance just to get the water running. Touchless is great, b...
RE: How much would you pay to fix water damage from a burst pipe?
Honestly, I’ve seen folks try to “fan and forget” after a pipe burst, and it rarely ends well. One time, a guy called me out because his living room smelled like a wet dog two weeks after he thought he’d dried everything...
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
Couldn’t agree more about the old metal shower heads - those things are like the cockroaches of bathroom hardware, just refuse to die if you show them a little love. I’d add one more trick for the “sprays everywhere but ...
RE: Need some advice on choosing new plumbing fixtures
Ha, you nailed it. Nothing like crawling under a sink in your pajamas because some “statement” faucet decided to spring a surprise. I’d add: if it takes more than a crescent wrench and a little plumber’s tape to install,...
RE: green plumbing showdown: greywater recycling vs rainwater harvesting
Rain barrels are definitely the “set it and forget it” option, but I’m with you - greywater’s not some ticking time bomb if you do it right. Biggest mistake I see? Folks using duct tape and hope instead of proper fitting...
RE: Burst pipe panic: what would you do?
Honestly, I’ve been there - midnight, water everywhere, socks soaked. My go-to is the “wrap it in whatever you’ve got” method: duct tape, old towel, zip ties if you’re fancy. Not pretty, but it’ll hold till morning. Just...
RE: When your bathroom sink ends up off-center
Honestly, this is exactly why I’m not 100% anti-flex pipe. Rigid PVC is solid, sure, but if you have to muscle it into place, you can end up with micro-cracks or stressed joints that’ll haunt you six months down the line...
RE: why is documenting plumbing connections such a nightmare?
Condensation is the silent assassin of every label, I swear. Even those “industrial” markers are just wishful thinking after a few months in a crawlspace. I’ve tried etching info onto copper tags, but then you need a dec...
RE: Need some advice on choosing new plumbing fixtures
Haha, been there with those universal adapters - sometimes they're a lifesaver, other times they're just a ticket to frustration city. Exactly. I always tell people, if you're in a pinch, sure, slap one on and cross ...
RE: shower goes ice cold when someone flushes toilet
Good tips, but honestly, even swapping out fill valves won't always fix it - especially in older houses with undersized plumbing. Had a similar issue at my folks' place; ended up installing a pressure-balancing valve ins...
RE: why is documenting plumbing connections such a nightmare?
Rainwater and greywater additions make it especially important to show which lines are nonpotable and where they could meet the drinking-water system. A clearer diagram records the arrangement; it doesn't correct an unsa...
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
Totally agree on the water softener tip - it's saved me from at least a few rogue shower episodes. But honestly, even with that, brass fixtures still seem to have a mind of their own. One thing I've noticed is that showe...
RE: drain inspection cams: wired vs wireless, what's your pick?
I've had my share of wireless cam disasters too, haha. But actually, there's one workaround I've found handy: grab a model that uses standard power tool batteries. Pop one out, swap in a fresh one - boom, back in busines...