Plumbing discussions and local services.
skater85
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RE: Saving water in the shower actually worked for me
I hear you on the diverters - tried one in a rental once and it leaked all over the place. Sometimes I wonder if these “solutions” are just ways to sell us more plastic. Buckets are cheap, easy to replace, and you don’t ...
RE: When your heater acts up: quick fixes that saved my winter
Tried a few brands of those eco window films - honestly, they do help with drafts, but the “eco-friendly” label feels mostly like marketing fluff. They’re not magic, but if you’ve got leaky windows, it’s better than noth...
RE: How would I remove this stem to replace it?
Heat’s always made me nervous for exactly that reason - had a solder joint let go once and it turned into a whole afternoon of chasing drips behind the wall. I’ve never tried freeze spray, but I’d be skeptical in old plu...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
Color-coding the pipes is actually pretty clever - never thought of that, but it’d save me a lot of head-scratching under bathroom sinks. I’ve tried those plumbing apps too, but honestly, nothing beats a physical cheat s...
RE: Under sink vs. countertop filters: which is less hassle to install?
Under sink filters definitely look more intimidating at first, but honestly, once you’ve done one, it’s not rocket science. I’ve put in a bunch over the years - sometimes for my own place, sometimes for tenants - and the...
RE: SEPTIC SYSTEM NIGHTMARES: DID YOU KNOW THIS?
ROOT BARRIERS AREN’T FOOLPROOF, BUT... I hear you on root barriers not being a magic fix. I’ve had tenants swear up and down that their “special” barrier would keep the maple roots out, and two years later I’m paying fo...
RE: green plumbing showdown: greywater recycling vs rainwater harvesting
I get what you’re saying about creative retrofits, but I’ve had a couple older houses where even “just laundry” greywater setups turned into a can of worms - crumbling pipes, weird layouts, you name it. Ever had tenants ...
RE: leaky pipe under kitchen sink driving me nuts
Had the same issue a couple years back - spent way too long convinced it was the disposal or dishwasher, but turned out to be something else entirely. Have you checked the faucet connections themselves? Sometimes those s...
RE: My Pipes Burst at 2 AM - Ever Had a Midnight Plumbing Nightmare?
Once the leak and stuck valve are dealt with, I'd look at why that pipe froze: exposure to cold air, missing insulation or an unheated space. A spray on the valve won't protect the pipe from freezing. Heat cable may be s...
RE: WHAT IF YOUR PIPES STARTED TALKING BACK?
Totally agree about sensor placement - makes a huge difference. But have you noticed certain brands being overly sensitive even when positioned right? I've had a few that practically cried wolf every time someone took a ...
RE: My garbage disposal smells like a swamp monster moved in
I've done the ice cube and salt thing a few times, and yeah, it helps short-term. But have you checked underneath the rubber splash guard lately? Last tenant I had complained about a nasty smell, and turns out there was ...
RE: Hot water chaos: plumbing mishap leads to unexpected adventure
Did you check the pressure relief valve yet? Sometimes those things get stuck open or corrode, and it looks like a tank leak when it's really just that valve. Also, if you're seeing rust-colored water, that's usually a s...