Plumbing discussions and local services.
phoenixw83
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RE: When your heater ignores the thermostat: what would you do?
When Your Heater Ignores The Thermostat: What Would You Do? Ain’t that the truth. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve pulled off a panel and found a rat’s nest of wires, half of them not even hooked up to anything....
RE: Finally got my bathroom reno approved - permit process wasn’t as scary as I thought
Yeah, I get what you mean about silicone being a pain to deal with later. Had to scrape out some old stuff in one of my rentals last year - felt like chiseling rubber cement off tile. That said, I’ve tried a few of those...
RE: WHEN YOUR LAWN TURNS INTO A SWAMP AFTER EVERY RAINSTORM
WHEN YOUR LAWN TURNS INTO A SWAMP AFTER EVERY RAINSTORM I’ve actually dealt with those pop-up emitters on a few of my rentals. Honestly, they’re a mixed bag. They do what they’re supposed to - get the water away from th...
RE: Best ways to deal with slow drains at home?
Honestly, you nailed most of the basics. I’ve dealt with more slow drains than I care to count, and you’re right - the “natural” stuff like lemon juice and vinegar is more about making you feel productive than actually c...
RE: How much would you pay to fix water damage from a burst pipe?
Yeah, I hear you. Had a similar situation a couple years back - insurance covered some of it, but I still ended up out of pocket for a bunch of repairs. Drywall, baseboards, even had to toss a few boxes of stuff I’d stor...
RE: How do you spot hidden water leaks before they get worse?
I’ve had that exact issue - slow leaks barely register on the meter, especially if it’s just a tiny drip under a sink or something. The “wait an hour” trick works, but honestly, it’s a pain to coordinate when you’ve got ...
RE: What would you do if your basement started smelling musty overnight?
If that musty smell shows up outta nowhere, I’d check for any water leaks first - pipes, foundation cracks, even a busted dehumidifier can do it. Sometimes folks just throw in some air fresheners and hope for the best, b...
RE: Getting That Stubborn Dishwasher Working Again Without Calling a Repair Guy
Yeah, running the hot tap first is one of those little tricks that actually works - saves a lot of headaches with older machines. I’ve seen pods gum up in the dispenser too, especially if the water doesn’t get hot enough...
RE: Battle Of The Blocked Sink: Which Magic Potion Actually Works?
Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many times tenants have tried the baking soda and vinegar trick and then called me when it didn’t work. I get wanting to avoid chemicals, but once you’ve got a stubborn clog, it’s usually...
RE: Water pressure woes - anyone else dealt with this?
Pipe lining sounds good on paper, but in my experience it’s not always the magic fix they promise. Had a duplex where we tried it - cost less up front, sure, but a year later we were back chasing leaks in spots the liner...
RE: When the Toilet Floods at Midnight: My DIY Save
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen folks muscle those fittings and end up with a bigger mess. Teflon tape’s been my go-to for years - just gotta know when to stop twisting. Midnight fixes are always an adventure, huh?
RE: are water-saving toilets really worth the hype?
I've swapped out toilets in a bunch of my rental units over the years, and honestly, the savings are usually pretty modest. Like you said, if you're replacing something ancient that guzzles water like crazy, you'll notic...
RE: Kitchen Sink Money Drain: How Much Did You Spend Replacing Yours?
Had a similar experience with a kitchen faucet last year. Thought I'd save some cash by having my handyman install it - big mistake. Tenants complained about leaks within weeks, and I ended up paying double to get a plum...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
Totally agree - I've learned the hard way that even top-tier valves can mess you up if they're not installed right. Had a tenant call me at midnight once because the "brand new" shut-off valve I put in a week earlier was...