Tradesmen Battle Constant Equipment Failures
HVAC technicians, electricians, plumbers, and lawn care professionals are frequently dealing with equipment failures, clogged systems, and unexpected repairs. This leads to frustration, time delays, and increased costs for both the tradespeople and their customers.
SOURCES (60)
“They had to find our septic for us, I was a little taken aback to come downstairs and see our toilet completely removed so they could snake it. The weird part is they didn’t put it back, and now i’m left to call a plumber…”
“Too much fall will cause the liquid waste to flow too fast leaving behind solids, even in pvc.”
“Super dangerous. Shut it down with an out of order sign and have it replaced ASAP. I just replaced one last week for similar reasons. Had to shut it down overnight till the new toilet arrived. But I wasn’t playing. I put a sign & caution tape on it.”
“Hi all idk if this is exactly the right sub for this but I figured there's some knowledgeable people in here. So the issue i have is a customer's boiler that just will not run right. Its a peerless DE-04. Here's what it does in order. Call for heat > fan turns on > presure switch proves > hot surface ignitor powers > pilot opens > flame is proven > main burners light > unit run for 10 minutes > flame shuts off exhaust fan stays running > HSI repowers > p”
“Hi all idk if this is exactly the right sub for this but I figured there's some knowledgeable people in here. So the issue i have is a customer's boiler that just will not run right. Its a peerless DE-04. Here's what it does in order. Call for heat > fan turns on > presure switch proves > hot surface ignitor powers > pilot opens > flame is proven > main burners light > unit run for 10 minutes > flame shuts off exhaust fan stays running > HSI repowers > p”
“As usual, FUCK COREMAX Apparently, and evidently, swivel tees don’t fit coremax. But sealright fittings do (or just about any gauge hose) Fuck you coremax cunts, I hope you die in a very slow burning fire. For those wondering why, coremax has a larger gap between the flared face and threads. A regular swivel tee can’t catch the threads. submitted by /u/SquallZ34 [link] [comments]”
“I used one. It helps sometimes with slow draining tanks. if they are fully clogged, it didn't help. Had to empty the tank via the heating element holes. Probably should have used a hose via the anode hole (easier).”
“Okay, thanks all. Clog it is. We installed a toilet ourself last year, so I kinda remember how it works. Recommendations on good snakes, or rather, what type of snake am I after?”
“You missed your chance to catch the flapper hung up or the handle stuck in the up position.”
“Yea it is corroded. I thought I knew where the main valve was, but it seems that was just the supply to the hot water cylinder. So I guess I don't know where the main valve is. Might have to get a plumber in.”
“Have you tried cleaning out the main Jet hole? I just cleared one of these weak flushes a week ago and it turns out there was a bunch of shit and mineral buildup in there and the water changed colors accordingly. It flushed increasingly strong as I did more brushing. I used something like this brush to get it out. If not that Idunno I'm not there. https://preview.redd.it/pac30z6g0yph1.jpeg?width=2200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0d225cac52308edd00d56a784fb4ee4a63d12cad”
“Dont even know how to turn a wrench and youre complaing about a Journeyman making 3x times more than you and want to cry to your boss. My only advice would be to keep your mouth shut, your eyes and ears open, shit rolls down hill and always look up. Good luck dude.”
“Most of the super limp “pocket” hoses are fragile AF. They cannot withstand constant pressure, rough handling, UV exposure and sub freezing temps. Metal cladding does zero where failure owing to constant pressure and frost/low temp protection is concerned but it does offer some protection against damage caused by walking on them. The metal clad suffer from decreased flexibility vs the cloth so, keep that in mind. I use the pocket/expanding hoses in my small greenhouse owing to their VERY limp an”
“Spot on. Also, I advise my apprentices, if the journeyman asks you to use a tool you don’t know how to use, or do something you haven’t done before, go home and do research on it. Watch videos on how to use the tool or do what’s being asked. What kind of work are you doing away from the job site? He might also be tough on you to see what you’re made of. If the job doesn’t go right, are you gonna up and quit or are you gonna take a breath and work to figure it out?”
“3 weeks in? Just deal with it for now. Maybe like several months. Shit doesn’t change , talk to the boss or find another apprentice gig.”
What was the tool he gave you to use that you've never used before?
“I mean, it looks like a toilet flange that has been leaking for a long time. Every time that toilet gets flushed a little (possibly even a lot) or sewage leaks out. Not the kind of thing you want happening inside your home, but the main issue from a building perspective is water damage to the subfloor and even framing if the wood stays wet long enough. This is worthy of fixing, not sure what else I can say though.”
“This toilet did fine for 10+ years, but for the past few, won't flush reliably. When it does, it's a cyclone to hell. But now it just starts the process and doesn't finish. Except, if I add a bowl of water to the bowl, it behaves normally. Pic is of the tank where I have the dials maxed for as much water as possible in the bowl. Also, the the flush handle is super stiff, and usually takes popping off the tank top to use the lever manually to get it going properly. So, what's the”
What the hell is this setup, no wonder it stinks, it needs a total rebuild
“That it was probably partially blocked still and only a bit released More than likely youll end up needing to pull the toilet and run a snake down the line”
I suspect the stronger models last longer on the same inputs.
“Yeah, if it worked before and suddenly stopped, then it probably isn't the chain.”
“If the possibility is the PVC fails due to back pressure on the system wouldn't it just flow up through the toilet anyway?”
“That press is fucked if you were able to spin it. Should not be able to turn a piece of pipe in a pro press fitting if the machine is in good working order. And your solution is a drop ear L in the wall with a nipple? Or a solder 90? Either of those is just as subject to improper work as a pro press fitting.”
“Idc if you broke it with a stick of dynamite you’ve already broken more toilets on accident in one thread than I’ve broken in my entire career”
“You also have another comment about “whenever you break a toilet” which is crazy cause in my 15 years of plumbing I have never broken a toilet that wasn’t already being moved On top of that you said you would also replace the flange when replacing a toilet in the same comment. You’re all over the place like a typical hopped up apprentice who just got in a truck and thinks he knows shit cause he watched a 65 year old guy spew some BS at him from a passenger seat in a work truck”
“I have literally seen an auger become lodged and not be able to bend, it is 100% possible, you seem adamant that fault on a toilet that was not broken before the plumber and was after the plumber lies with the owner, without any details, even though there are many, many ways this could 100% be the plumber making a dumb error”
“If they rammed the auger in so hard it blew the back out of your toilet then they should be buying you a new toilet of the same model and installing it at no extra charge.”
“Blaming the failure of the bladder valve on high pressure, instead of old age, and then suggesting a solution that reduces the pressure by 5 PSI, makes me really wonder about the competency of this person. They're just pumping you for work.”
“The water is super hard and the siphon jet is fill with calcium. (A common call in my area)”
“Looks like the fitting might be broken on the bottom side of the picture, probably letting sewer gas out, the water being right there is a little suspect as well but the jury is out. This isn't a great view for us to get a look at it.”
“Last week my 8 yr old well pulled up white PVC shavings, black plastic shavings and a bunch of metal particles. Well guys has been notified but he hasn’t been out yet. Water has been clear and clean since. All outside and inside faucets had the particles come out of it so I know the particles have been everywhere in the plumbing Was running the sprinkler this morning and heard the pressure tank clicking back and forth like in the video. Wasn’t doing that a couple days ago. My guess is there are”
“This happened a year ago. I regret to say I can't tell you what the issue was, but I can't believe this was a thing that could even happen. It was related to the toilet, either something faulty there or something faulty down the line submitted by /u/Styro20 [link] [comments]”
“25 year service plumber/drain service, mostly with rental properties, I’ve removed and reinstalled more toilets then 99% of the plumbers in my town, I’d never use anything but reinforced wax rings for a toilets unless the gap is small then a regular wax, and always with the plastic sleeve. I always have 10-12 on my truck, use the 4” whenever possible.”
“Toilet became wobbly, removed it to find flange was broken and would retain bolts. Was going to try the oatey flange repair bracket and it made the toilet too high, wouldn’t even contact the floor. What would be best way to lower this and replace with new flange? submitted by /u/jpeto3969 [link] [comments]”
Did you look at the pictures??? There is no wax ring in OPs application.
using hose claps underground on a main line, I wouldn’t do that.