Good tip on exercising the valves regularly—I started doing that after one seized up and cost me a plumber call-out. Still keep pliers handy though, j...

Good points there—replacement usually makes sense. But if money's tight, squeezing another year out with a new rod isn't always crazy. Did that once m...

Foam sleeves here too—mainly because of the convenience and price factor. Fiberglass probably insulates slightly better long-term, but honestly, it's ...