Plumbing discussions and local services.
rayrider203
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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...
RE: ever wondered how faucets actually work?
I've never had to deal with cracks inside the actual faucet body yet (knock on wood), but I've definitely had my share of dripping faucets that drove me nuts. Usually it's just a worn-out washer or cartridge, but now you...