Plumbing discussions and local services.
toby_runner
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Navigating city hall: a plumbing permit adventure
That’s honestly the only way to survive city hall. I’ve had inspectors flag me for using the wrong color ink on a form, but then totally ignore missing signatures. It’s like they’re making it up as they go. Ever notice h...
RE: Why sump pumps are the unsung heroes under your house
I’ve heard about those, but honestly, I’m a bit skeptical. The last “eco-friendly” upgrade I tried ended up costing more in repairs than it saved on utilities. Maybe I just had bad luck? Still, I get the appeal - water b...
RE: Keeping your water heater running longer without breaking the bank
Keeping your water heater running longer without breaking the bank Magnesium rods are definitely the way to go in most cases, unless you’re dealing with some seriously nasty water. I’ve tried the powered ones a couple t...
RE: Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?
I hear you. I’ve had a few tenants complain about those “eco” dual flush toilets, and honestly, I’m not convinced they save much water if you have to flush twice half the time. Had one unit where the half flush was so we...
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
Funny you mention that - had a tenant once who kept complaining about “shower slime” and I thought she was just being picky. Turns out, after swapping in a filter, the complaints stopped. Still, I’m not totally sold on t...
RE: What would you do if your basement started smelling musty overnight?
Funny how often folks jump to the worst-case scenario - leaks, mold, you name it - when sometimes it’s just a dried-out trap or something simple. I’ve seen tenants panic over a smell, only for it to be an old washing mac...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick Funny how you mention the magnet trick - I’ve tried that a few times and, honestly, I think my luck with it is about 50/50. Sometimes it’s a copper pipe, sometimes it’s ju...
RE: Water pooling in basement - could it be a sneaky drain issue?
Water Pooling in Basement - Could It Be a Sneaky Drain Issue? Yeah, old houses are a mixed bag. I’ve been through more than a few - sometimes the charm’s worth it, sometimes you wish you’d just bulldozed and started fre...
RE: When your living room is a sauna but your bedroom's an igloo
Ain’t that the truth. I’ve lost count of how many times tenants swear the AC’s shot, but there’s a bookshelf parked right in front of the return. About the filters - ever notice folks buy those “allergen” ones thinking p...
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
Reference wheels are fine for some folks, but honestly, I’ve never really understood the hype. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather deal with a phone app or even a dog-eared notebook than try to squint at those tiny number...
RE: are water-saving toilets really worth the hype?
You nailed it with the “sometimes saving water means spending more upfront” bit. I’ve swapped out a bunch of toilets in older rentals, and honestly, it’s never as simple as just screwing in a new fixture and calling it a...
RE: When your bathroom sink ends up off-center
Yeah, I hear you on the “pick your battles” thing. I’ve got a couple of rentals from the 50s and 60s, and honestly, if I tried to get everything lined up perfectly, I’d lose my mind. Last time I swapped out a vanity, the...
RE: What if your street flooded because drains were clogged?
Yeah, fair enough... drain screens can help if you're diligent. But honestly, I've seen tenants ignore way simpler stuff than that. You'd be amazed how many people think drains magically clear themselves.
RE: Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick
Metal tags sound solid in theory, but honestly, I've got mixed feelings about them. A few years back, I tried something similar - engraved aluminum tags - for labeling plumbing shut-offs and valves around a multi-unit pr...
RE: need some advice on setting up a rain harvesting setup at home
Good tips on angling the mesh, hadn't thought of that one. I'd just add - don't underestimate how quickly debris can build up, even with a good screen. Had a tenant once who swore he checked regularly... turned out his "...