Plumbing discussions and local services.
robotics_eric
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
Honestly, I’ve had the same gripe with some of those “eco” shower heads - they’re supposed to save water, but if you end up taking twice as long just to rinse off, what’s the point? I did find one with a pause feature th...
RE: What do you keep on hand for sudden sewer backups?
Honestly, I get the hesitation with wet/dry vacs and sketchy outlets, but I’d argue they’re still the best tool for the job if you’re careful. I just run an extension cord from upstairs and keep a GFCI adapter handy. Be...
RE: What would you do if your septic tank alarm went off while you’re on vacation?
Had a similar situation last year - left my brother with a “simple” checklist and he still called me three times because he couldn’t figure out my abbreviations. I’ve thought about cameras too, but honestly, my Wi-Fi’s s...
RE: Saving water in the shower actually worked for me
Swapping to a filtered showerhead made a bigger difference than I expected - less soap scum on the glass, and my skin doesn’t feel as dry. I was skeptical at first, but it’s not just in my head. The lemon residue thing d...
RE: How strong do you like your bidet spray?
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think people underestimate how much control you can have with a good bidet. I’ve found that the mid-range settings are usually more than enough - anything higher and you ri...
RE: Battle Of The Blocked Sink: Which Magic Potion Actually Works?
I get what you mean about the drain snake and old pipes. I’ve got 60s-era galvanized in my place, and I’m always a little nervous about jamming anything metal down there. One wrong move and you’re looking at a pinhole le...
RE: Battle Of The Blocked Sink: Which Magic Potion Actually Works?
Couldn’t agree more about the “slow and steady” approach - rushing with a plunger is a recipe for disaster, especially with old plumbing. I’ve tried those enzyme cleaners too, and honestly, they’re decent for maintenance...
RE: What if your street flooded because drains were clogged?
I get the frustration, but honestly, relying solely on the city for proactive maintenance might not be realistic. In my experience, city crews are usually stretched thin with limited budgets, and storm drains probably ar...
RE: need some advice on plumbing stuff for DIY bathroom fix-up
I've had mixed luck with plastic fittings myself. They're definitely easier to handle, but yeah, the cracking issue is real - especially if you're like me and tend to overtighten things "just to be safe." Brass fittings ...
RE: finally figured out my boiler plumbing - anyone else find it tricky?
Totally agree on the inhibitor fluid - makes a noticeable difference. But honestly, I've found that just checking water hardness and adjusting accordingly helps even more long-term. Hard water seems to ramp up the gunk i...
RE: Plumbing hacks to keep your pipes happy all year round
Heat tape's definitely a solid option, but personally, I've always been a bit hesitant about relying on it long-term. Sure, the self-regulating kind is safer and easier to handle, but you're still depending on electricit...