The Home Improvement Thread

[Taco Loco]

Hmmm haven't heard that one before. I mean I know how to unscrew the valve, clean it out and reinstall it

I have, from my plumber friend from the Woodlands, and because of mineral build up, unscrew the valve and it can stripe the thread, the tank becomes scrap metal

 

[Silverback]

Buy a sediment filter that accepts the 20" X 4.5" Cartridges are cheap, buy in bulk for ~$20 each, last up to 6months depending on your water quality, this what I’m going to upgrade mine too.

Do you have a link to this kind of system? BIL is a plumber and I'll put his ass to work.

 

[Taco Loco]

Do you have a link to this kind of system? BIL is a plumber and I'll put his ass to work.

There are several brands that make the housings, Pentek, 3G, H2O, Big blue 20, etc

I’m probably going to get one that has a clear housing, I will do my own install, no linky yet cause I didn’t check what size ports I need, 3/4” or the 1” ones.

 

[PSU Taco85]

Couple new additions to the shop, got a couch and two lounge chairs and just got a coffee table this past weekend. Between the tv, couch, beer, and heated floor I end up taking a nap out there instead of wrenching

h

 

[Silverback]

I predict the amount of work being done out there will diminish greatly.

 

[tx_shooter]

I predict the amount of work being done out there will diminish greatly.

This man speaks from experience.

 

[Taco Loco]

Couple new additions to the shop, got a couch and two lounge chairs and just got a coffee table this past weekend. Between the tv, couch, beer, and heated floor I end up taking a nap out there instead of wrenching

h

I would use a couple of those tools, Break Glass in Case of Emergency!! probably need hammer to break the welds too.

 

[Silverback]

This man speaks from experience.

Werd

 

[Anathollo]

I would use a couple of those tools, Break Glass in Case of Emergency!! probably need hammer to break the welds too.

Oooo I see a great sticker decal idea for the table! @PSU Taco85 get on it!

 

[TacoXpo]

Do yourself a favor and follow this method once a year.

Step 1: Turn off cold water valve. Turn off circuit to water heater (if you don't you'll burn up the heating elements). Shut off gas line (if its a gas heater).
Step 2: Hook up a garden hose to the bottom valve and run the hose out to your driveway/planter box.
Step 3: Open valve and let it drain out. I try to water some plants first but towards the end I let it run into the street as the gunk starts to flush out.
Step 4: Crack open a beer and watch it drain out.
Step 5: Close valve and open cold water line. Wait for the tank to fill up.
Step 6: Turn on electrical circuit. Turn on gas and light the pilot light (if it's gas).
Step 7: Enjoy a water heater that's going to last much longer than normal...

Should take you about 20 minutes all in...

I have literally told EVERY SINGLE client to do exactly this - or to call me and I will help them. They live in earthquake territory so this could be their only clean water - and I tell them that is one of the two reasons to do this. The only challenge is that if people haven't done it, we could get a leak on the shut off. I'd rather have drinkable water and know that the shut off works.

I have NEVER got a phone call and I will assume 0 out of well over 200 people that I have told this to, actually does it.

 

[TacoXpo]

Buy a sediment filter that accepts the 20" X 4.5" Cartridges are cheap, buy in bulk for ~$20 each, last up to 6months depending on your water quality, this what I’m going to upgrade mine too.

And on gas appliances, put a sediment trap on the gas line. - Bring the line vertical from above the 'gas in' connection. Install a 'T' to make a right angle into controller. Then the other straight down. and cap. See below. And I have had a number of 'plumbers' insist that the incorrect way as illustrated here, is fine and correct. When someone is charging a little old lady a house payment, I would think he/she/it would do it right.

Here's a picture:

 

[Anathollo]

I have, from my plumber friend from the Woodlands, and because of mineral build up, unscrew the valve and it can stripe the thread, the tank becomes scrap metal

A nice mixture of pipe dope and teflon tape will seal that right up

 

[TacoXpo]

A nice mixture of pipe dope and teflon tape will seal that right up

And if it gets real bad, think JB Weld!!!

 

[Anathollo]

And if it gets real bad, think JB Weld!!!

You'd be surprised how many pipes have been cross-threaded and are holding up due to a nice glob of teflon tape with a thick glob of pipe dope

 

[CowboyTaco]

You'd be surprised how many pipes have been cross-threaded and are holding up due to a nice glob of teflon tape with a thick glob of pipe dope

I thought you were supposed to use one or the other, but not both...?

 

[Anathollo]

I thought you were supposed to use one or the other, but not both...?

Exactly right...

I ran a bunch of refrigerant piping and they made me use both on each joint per the drawings. I kept asking the General Manager "are you sure about this?".

 

[Oswego]

Exactly right...

I ran a bunch of refrigerant piping and they made me use both on each joint per the drawings. I kept asking the General Manager "are you sure about this?".

Gotta love improper specifications

 

[Anathollo]

Gotta love improper specifications

Yeah I have his written approval in an email somewhere...only way I'd do the job

 

[Anathollo]

Had the old water line to the hot tub at my mom's break and leak out everywhere during the freeze (hot tub is gone now RIP). Flooded her yard and the neighbors yard.
I screwed in a new cap and the solder joint broke on the fitting I was screwing into. So a 2 min job turned into a 20min job. Guess it was payback for all the screwing I did in that damn hot tub

 

[Silverback]

Man this pool is costing more $$ than I thought. With all the cold weather in the past 60 days my electricity bill was higher for December than its ever been in the past.. 2 years or so. If its below 32 degrees they run 100%.. Those pumps can pull some power.