Plumbing discussions and local services.
peanutevans906
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Rainwater toilets and greywater showers: City tries new water-saving tricks
That’s a visual I can’t unsee. I’ve had similar luck with the so-called “universal” gaskets - one red one actually swelled up and blocked the valve, which turned a quick fix into a two-hour ordeal. I’ve started writing t...
RE: Keeping your water heater running longer without breaking the bank
I get where you’re coming from with the 120°F, but I’ve run into a few situations where that temp just didn’t cut it - especially in older houses with long pipe runs. Had a call last winter where folks kept getting lukew...
RE: How often do you actually test your main water shut-off?
I’ve run into that exact scenario - main valve frozen solid, homeowner panicking, water everywhere. Funny thing is, I’ve noticed older brass valves sometimes free up with a little patience, but those newer plastic ones? ...
RE: Restaurant kitchen shut down after messy plumbing fiasco - thoughts?
Had a place once where the checklist was taped up, but folks just stopped seeing it after a while - kind of like wallpaper. We ended up switching to a dry-erase board with a spot for initials and dates, which kept everyo...
RE: When your bathroom sink ends up off-center
Man, I hear you. Last month, I was wrestling with a vanity that was off by nearly two inches - felt like it was designed just to mess with me. Tried one of those flex tailpieces too, and it sagged just enough to start dr...
RE: Low-flow toilets: worth the hype or just a pain?
Had a call last winter where the homeowner was convinced their “old” toilet was the problem. Scoped the line - turns out, tree roots had invaded halfway down. Swapping fixtures would’ve done nothing. Ever run into a situ...
RE: Gravel or pipe? Weird things I learned about backyard drainage
I’ve seen both approaches work, but in my own yard, a gentle slope - like an inch per ten feet - did the trick. Too steep and the water rushes, leaving sediment behind. Too flat and it just sits there. I once tried a ste...
RE: WHEN YOUR LAWN TURNS INTO A SWAMP AFTER EVERY RAINSTORM
That hose trick is underrated, honestly. I’ve used it myself after a flash flood turned my backyard into a duck pond - found out fast where the low spots were. I get the fear about messing with the foundation, but a litt...
RE: How much would you pay to fix water damage from a burst pipe?
I had a job last winter where a pipe burst in a crawlspace and soaked the living room floor above. The homeowner was super anxious about not demo-ing too much, but also didn’t want mold down the line. She’d heard horror ...
RE: When the Toilet Floods at Midnight: My DIY Save
Man, I’ve wrestled with those rubber gaskets at 2am more times than I care to admit. Wax rings might be messy, but at least they don’t slide around when you’re trying to line things up in a panic. Had one rubber gasket p...
RE: Choosing between in-kitchen and underground grease traps - what would you do?
KITCHEN TRAPS VS. UNDERGROUND - THE MAINTENANCE GAMBLE You nailed it with the “forgotten trap syndrome.” I can’t count how many times I’ve been called out in the middle of the night because someone’s “out of sight, out ...
RE: Keeping Pipes Safe and My Sanity Intact
I’ve seen those pipe wraps with thermostats and honestly, I’m on the fence too. A buddy of mine tried them in his ‘60s rental and swore they worked, but he also had to upgrade a couple outlets after one started buzzing. ...
RE: Kitchen sink disaster - DIY or call a plumber?
Had a similar issue a while back - thought I'd save myself some cash by tightening up the plastic fittings under my sink. Worked fine for about a week, then suddenly I had Niagara Falls in my kitchen at midnight. Turns o...