Plumbing discussions and local services.
productivity165
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: How would I remove this stem to replace it?
Yeah, I hear you on the heat - old pipes are a wild card. Here’s what’s worked for me: first, I hit the stem with a wire brush to knock off as much gunk as possible. Then I soak it in penetrating oil (not the eco stuff, ...
RE: Need some advice on choosing new plumbing fixtures
Crimp rings have been my go-to too - never had a leak, and the tool paid for itself after a couple projects. Press fittings are tempting, but unless you’re doing a whole house or tons of repairs, I just can’t see droppin...
RE: Finally won the battle against invading tree roots
Yeah, I hear you on the “miracle” solutions - been burned by those more than once. It’s a pain digging in barriers, but honestly, once it’s done, you barely think about it. Sometimes ugly but functional just wins out. Yo...
RE: Finally tackled my noisy pipes and feeling pretty proud
Cardboard, right? I’ve seen some wild stuff too - once found a sock shoved behind a toilet tank. For the pipes, I ended up replacing a couple of the worst sections. It’s tempting to just patch, but honestly, I got tired ...
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
Had the same issue with my handheld losing pressure - turned out the hose had a kink inside. Took it off, ran water through backwards, and a chunk of mineral buildup popped right out. Worked like new after that. Might be...
RE: Need some advice on choosing new plumbing fixtures
I installed modern brass fixtures in our guest bath about two years ago. Honestly, they're pretty low-maintenance - haven't polished them once. Definitely easier than matte black, which drove me nuts with fingerprints......
RE: Thermostat acting weird, DIY fix or call a pro?
Ran into exactly this when I upgraded to a smart thermostat last year. My house is older, so no C-wire. Ended up using one of those power extender kits - basically piggybacks off existing wiring at your furnace. Pretty s...
RE: Plumbing hacks to keep your pipes happy all year round
Yeah, been there myself... Tape can be a pain on older pipes. Pipe dope definitely works better on galvanized fittings, but I've found that using both - thin layer of tape first, then pipe dope - can give you an extra bi...