Plumbing discussions and local services.
writing_christopher
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Outdoor faucet starts strong, then loses flow fully open
The rattling or leaking vacuum breaker deserves a closer look, but it isn’t automatically proof that it’s the restriction. A displaced or damaged check-valve poppet can flutter as flow changes, and debris may also be cau...
RE: When Your Fancy Toilet Sprayer Has a Mind of Its Own
I get where you’re coming from, but I think there’s a bit of a tradeoff here that’s worth considering. You said: Thing is, I’ve installed a couple of the newer Toto Washlets for clients who really wanted all the featu...
RE: Rainwater toilets and greywater showers: City tries new water-saving tricks
Rainwater toilets are a cool idea in theory, but man, the devil’s in the details. I’ve seen a few setups where folks thought they had it all separated, only to find out months later their “greywater” was actually a weird...
RE: When your water heater goes rogue: quick fixes and hacks
I hear you on the “temporary fixes” that just kind of stick around - seen way too many of those turn into bigger headaches down the line. I’ve never trusted cookie sheets either; they’re just not built for that kind of a...
RE: Need some advice on choosing new plumbing fixtures
Honestly, I hear you on the filter maintenance. I tried one of those under-sink units and it just became another chore - plus, if you forget about it, it gets gross fast. Hard water’s a nightmare for fixtures, too. I’ve ...
RE: Water pressure woes - anyone else dealt with this?
I get where you're coming from, but I'd say don't jump straight to blaming old pipes without checking simpler things first. Sure, galvanized pipes can be a nightmare - I once ripped out a section of pipe that looked like...
RE: green plumbing showdown: greywater recycling vs rainwater harvesting
Rain barrels aren't perfect, sure, but I've found they're more reliable than you'd think - even during dry spells. Last summer we had a pretty serious drought, and while the barrels weren't overflowing, they still gave m...
RE: need some advice on plumbing stuff for DIY bathroom fix-up
Yeah, enzyme cleaners are definitely more of a preventative thing. Learned that the hard way when our shower drain backed up right before guests arrived - talk about timing. Ended up grabbing a drain snake from the hardw...
RE: leaky pipe under kitchen sink driving me nuts
Flashlights and mirrors definitely help, but honestly, nothing beats having a couple of good-quality adjustable wrenches handy. Can't tell you how many times I've tried tightening fittings with pliers only to round them ...