Plumbing discussions and local services.
sailor54
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: How much does a shower valve access panel really help later?
If a stud lands where the panel would need to be, shifting the opening may solve the framing problem but leave the valve off to one side, with too little room for the cartridge’s removal path. Enlarging it only helps if ...
RE: Touchless taps and other faucet surprises
For a kitchen faucet, I'd compare the published flow rate, parts availability and warranty rather than look for a WaterSense badge. Kitchen faucets aren't currently eligible for that label. Battery access and what happen...
RE: Rainwater toilets and greywater showers: City tries new water-saving tricks
Having both options sounds great in theory, but here’s where I get a bit skeptical about relying too much on smart systems for something as basic as water management. Step one: power outage. If the grid goes down (which,...
RE: Why do faucet handles turn opposite ways?
I get why folks want to swap the lines, but that’s not always the best route - especially if you’re trying to be eco-conscious. Some faucet designs actually use different flow restrictors for hot and cold, so switching t...
RE: LOW SHOWER PRESSURE: DOES THAT BOOSTER PUMP REALLY WORK?
Had a similar situation at my place a couple years back. Water pressure in the upstairs shower was pathetic - like, barely enough to rinse shampoo out. I kept reading about booster pumps and almost bought one, but someth...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
I tried heat-shrink once - worked okay, but I found it a pain to remove when I needed to swap out a valve. For me, old bike inner tube strips with a paint pen have held up surprisingly well and don’t add more plastic was...
RE: When your living room is a sauna but your bedroom's an igloo
Honestly, closing vents never worked for us either - just made the furnace noisier and the air quality worse. What actually helped was getting those cheap stick-on thermometers for each room, then adjusting the dampers i...
RE: green plumbing showdown: greywater recycling vs rainwater harvesting
Had my own run-in with the “green sludge” problem last year. I figured a gutter guard would be enough, but after the first big storm, my barrel looked like a compost smoothie. Now I do a quick leaf sweep every week - tak...
RE: Kitchen Sink Money Drain: How Much Did You Spend Replacing Yours?
Couldn't agree more on this point, prep really does make or break a plumbing job. But I'd gently challenge the skepticism around SharkBites - I've had a couple installed for nearly 8 years now, zero leaks so far. Maybe i...
RE: Plumbing pros weigh in: new app promises faster fixes and fewer headaches
Good points there. I've found a decent balance by setting reminders every 3-4 months to do a quick walkthrough - checking under sinks, behind toilets, and around appliances. Takes maybe 15 minutes tops. Tech's handy, sur...
RE: ever wondered how faucets actually work?
Ceramic cartridges are definitely convenient, but I'm still a bit skeptical about their longevity. A couple years ago, I switched my kitchen faucet to ceramic after hearing all the hype. Sure enough, operation was smooth...
RE: green plumbing showdown: greywater recycling vs rainwater harvesting
Good tips overall, but I'd caution about jumping straight to liquid detergents. A lot of them contain additives or fragrances that aren't ideal for gardens or soil health. If you're serious about greywater recycling, con...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
I've actually tried the plastic markers too, and they're surprisingly sturdy. But honestly, I'm still a bit skeptical about paint pens holding up long-term outdoors...maybe depends on climate? I've had better luck with g...
RE: just read about a guy flooding his house trying to DIY install bathroom fixtures
Yeah, faucet swaps seem straightforward until they're not. Last summer, I decided to replace our kitchen faucet with one of those eco-friendly low-flow models. Thought it'd be a quick afternoon job, but turns out the shu...
RE: leaky pipe under kitchen sink driving me nuts
Moisture alarms can be handy, but honestly, they're more of a band-aid than a real fix. Had a similar issue last year - thought I could just tighten a joint and call it good. Nope. Ended up pulling everything apart and r...