Plumbing discussions and local services.
rayrider203
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Ontario rentals: greywater diversion or treatment system?
The site and approval checks in #54795 suggest doing this in two stages: first confirm which source-and-end-use options are actually feasible for the property, then compare maintenance and failure-response burdens among ...
RE: Green Drain Solutions: Baking Soda & Vinegar Vs. Enzyme Cleaners?
I’ve wondered the same thing, honestly. I tried the baking soda and vinegar trick a few times, and it’s mostly just a lot of fizz and not much else. Never made things worse, but also didn’t fix a real clog. As for those ...
RE: Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?
Honestly, I’m not convinced the peace of mind is always worth the extra cost, especially when the results are so-so. I swapped out my old shutoff valve for a “better” one too, but it still leaks a bit if I don’t get it j...
RE: Best ways to deal with slow drains at home?
Yeah, totally get where you’re coming from. The first time I pulled a wad of hair out of the shower drain, I almost gagged, but honestly, it’s way better than paying someone else to do it. Those plastic strips are cheap ...
RE: What if you skipped a year of solar water heater upkeep?
Skipped a year once because I figured the sensors would catch anything major. Ended up with a small leak that the system didn’t flag, probably because it was slow. Cost me more to fix later. Is tech helpful? Sure. But I ...
RE: Rainwater toilets and greywater showers: City tries new water-saving tricks
I hear you on the filters. I tried to stretch mine a bit longer last year to save a few bucks, and of course, that’s when it backed up. Ended up costing more in the long run. Is there really any way to tell when it’s abo...
RE: Why does swapping out a busted ice maker cost so much?
Seriously, why does it always feel like the folks designing these things have never actually had to fix one? I get that there’s a lot crammed into a small space, but come on - how hard would it be to make the ice maker s...
RE: What would you do if your basement started smelling musty overnight?
I get what you’re saying about bleach in the drains, but I’ve always wondered if that’s just masking the smell instead of actually fixing it. Isn’t there a risk of damaging old pipes with bleach, especially if you’ve got...
RE: Choosing between in-kitchen and underground grease traps - what would you do?
I get where you’re coming from - out of sight really does mean out of mind, and that’s how stuff gets missed. But honestly, have you looked into the cost difference between the two? Underground traps are a lot more expen...
RE: Finally won the battle against invading tree roots
I get what you mean about the cost - gasketed pipe isn’t cheap, and it’s a pain to justify it when the old stuff “mostly” works. But honestly, I haven’t seen tenants treat the plumbing any differently whether it’s recycl...
RE: finally figured out my boiler plumbing - anyone else find it tricky?
Man, I totally get what you mean about the faded labels. I tried using those cheap sticky notes once - bad idea. Ended up with a soggy mess and zero clue which pipe was which. Your phone pic trick sounds smart, though. E...
RE: Water pressure woes - anyone else dealt with this?
Yeah, I hear you on the “save now, pay later” thing. I tried to cut corners when we first bought our place - figured I could live with a little less water pressure if it meant not shelling out for a new valve. Ended up w...
RE: Cracked Sink Dilemma: DIY Kit or Professional Fix?
Interesting point about humidity - I hadn't really thought about that. Makes sense though, since epoxy can be finicky stuff. I've been debating a similar issue with my bathroom sink that's got a small but noticeable crac...
RE: WHAT IF YOUR PIPES STARTED TALKING BACK?
Those are really good points - especially knowing your shut-off valve. Can't even count how many people I've talked to who had no idea where theirs was until water was already pouring out... Quick question though: have ...
RE: Water pressure woes - anyone else dealt with this?
Good tip about shutting off the water first - been there myself, soaked shirt and all. But do you really need to check them every few months? Seems a bit frequent to me. I usually just wait until the pressure drops notic...