Tradespeople Battle Frustrations & Errors
44 posts across 2 communities in the last 30 days; 98% from r/Plumbing.
“From my highlight reel of bad DIY. A scupper and conductor head that they couldnt solve the leak at. Yes, thats spray foam inside the scupper. "if it cant drain, it cant leak" was the customers thought behind it.”
“Did you use the sink after or maybe the toilet yes the tub is the big one but really if there's a water pipe that goes to something then check ✅ those boxes off so maybe that will help zero in on the issue and remember water travels so if the bath in the master some how was…”
“Explain the shower head thing,please, can't picture how that would help it point down?”
Electricians and plumbers are sharing experiences with faulty equipment, unexpected problems on the jobsite, and navigating industry-specific challenges. The posts reveal a need for better tools, clearer instructions, and sometimes just a bit of luck.
SOURCES (60)
“Thank you for your help!!! Job is done and so far, no leaks!! [re: Leaking toilet]”
“Hello, hoping someone can help. There is a lot of exposed pipes in the downstairs toilet and also what I think is a soil stack? Air admittance valve? Is anyone able to help identify what it is? Secondly, what can we do about it? I’d like to ideally not be able to see any piping in the toilet… is there anything a plumber would be able to do with it? Or is it a case of a new toilet and creating a stud wall to box it all in? Thanks!! submitted by /u/Hot-Fuel-7125 [link] [comments]”
“No p trap or vent? Anyhow you really have to know what it is by investigating. Peeling back what you can, identifying whether it's water or drain. Could be shower valve. Could be the PEX. Could be the shower arm. [re: Any suggestions for next steps? TIA]”
“From my highlight reel of bad DIY. A scupper and conductor head that they couldnt solve the leak at. Yes, thats spray foam inside the scupper. "if it cant drain, it cant leak" was the customers thought behind it. submitted by /u/notgaynotbear [link] [comments]”
“Ahhh...explains a lot. Something like that happened to me, here, about a year back. [re: New Water shut off valve dripping]”
“Apologies if this is mundane and just me being stupid. New to maintenance at a hotel, switching from the front desk, so everything has been self taught with help of GM. We had a leak in the wall opposite of this shower and after it was repaired, this shower/tub wont stop dripping. Tried shutting of the hot and cold from manifold by turning right, but it never seems to stop. When pulling up the diverter it makes the sound of it running. It also seems to occasionally drip from the faucet cartridge”
“So the flapper while you are in there. Makes it that much longer before that toilet causes trouble again. [re: Toilet Water Running]”
“Shower is getting a bench over the plumbing so not worried about the vent pipe sticking out submitted by /u/barbossa_77 [link] [comments]”
“I just replaced the diverter as it was shooting out water when pressed in to turn on the shower, no more leaks there. Was also leaking at the faucet handle, fixed that too. All this is old stuff im in the process of redoing the whole bathroom.... anyways there is water coming out of the tub spout with the shower on what would be the cause of that? submitted by /u/Flip9k [link] [comments]”
🙌 [re: Cleaning ADVICE - TOTO toilet tank and rough-in adapter]
“New house and this is what I’m dealing with. submitted by /u/Medium-Explorer8965 [link] [comments]”
“Hi, it’s me again and my orange bathroom project. You all have been so helpful—couldn’t do this without you (and YouTube). I’m now cutting drywall to close up the wall but having second thoughts about the rubber repair couplings (2 on the left). Some guy at Home Depot said these were fine, even behind the wall, though it wouldn’t pass inspection. I’ve gotta remove the blocking and adjust the angle of the sanitary tee anyway. Should I attempt a hard coupling on the bottom? Worth it? Or order shie”
“Per the title i'm not sure what these holes in the sidewall of the tank are. They seem to overflow and get water on the floor :/. Is there any way to fix this? submitted by /u/kiralikesdrawing [link] [comments]”
“It is a wet vent it is connected on one end to my toilet and the pipe in my wall is my main drain going from my roof to my basement. Will it do?”
“I used to remove flow restrictors for customers.. but going into drought season yet again and snow pack dwindling.. nope.. not any more.”
“you dont caulk it to stabilize you need more experience before you start giving advice”
“Did you use the sink after or maybe the toilet yes the tub is the big one but really if there's a water pipe that goes to something then check ✅ those boxes off so maybe that will help zero in on the issue and remember water travels so if the bath in the master some how was leaking it could start there and settled in that spot”
“Here because my plastic but on my supply line just split. I replaced this hose about 10 years ago when I replaced the toilet. I saw a drip on the line and so I wiggled it and water shot out. I will be ordering all metal lines for both bathrooms now”
“You forget that some toilets also have a jet in the trap to help get water moving when you flush. I bet the crack opens the pipe to that jet.”
“What would cause a leak in this pattern? submitted by /u/loveyabunches [link] [comments]”
“Those holes are most definitely for screws as the countersink in the drain cover indicates.”
For the question unacceptable! Sewer smells for years to come lol
Yall am I tripping or not… we had our bathroom remodeled and had an issue with the tub leaking when it got to the overflow. The person first tried to tell me…
“Yeah, the red ones did that. The new ones are yellow and don't blister like that. Call Kohler and they'll probably send you a free one.”
It’s pex with a stainless steel insert, and compression ferrule
“Do you put anything in the wall to protect the plastic tank from a stray nail or screw? submitted by /u/fxk717 [link] [comments]”
That toilet needs a vent tied in before the shower ties in
“So I’m past rough in and o didn’t get a picture prior to the walls going in. I’m kicking myself about that now. I know there is copper running up and Pex running up to the shower head. But I somehow just noticed the new pipe for the handheld and the top for the shower head look like pieces of galvanized and I’m wondering if that looks like a permanent choice or if that will be switched out when fixtures go in (forgive my ignorance). This is a tear out to the studs due to water behind the wall fr”
“Even with all the fittings I have to go through before I hit the tub and shower. Would I be over doing it or would it still work fine?”
“Explain the shower head thing,please, can't picture how that would help it point down?”
“Hmmm Phoenix may be considered a 3rd world country by some... I'm gonna have to partially agree But either way joints in the slab are gonna make finding and repairing a leak -as they say in Spanish- "mucho dufficulto"”
“Hello All: Thanks in advance for the help. Is this gap too large ? Will it cause the toilet to rock / break the tile? Thank you again https://imgur.com/a/e2tEbHH submitted by /u/FingerlingBanana [link] [comments]”
“Heel 90s can't be used on its side to serve a toilet as grunge can backup into the 2 inch. Not likely if the shower is used often enough as the others said. UPC allows a side inlet under the toilet so if that's your codebook you can just swap it for that. Otherwise you have to take it up on the horizontal.”
“You guys are all amazing. I should’ve come here first and just asked. I’m embarrassed to admit what I paid for a 15 min wall cut and camera inspection. Ty all!! Will report back.”
“Looks like your shower fixtures are a brushed stainless.. I would suggest getting a push plate that matches that finish. And I would bug Kohler to provide it at their cost. K-8857-BN Just last Friday I was in a customers home looking at moving and or replacing fixtures including their Sterling (kohler) tub. I pointed out that the tub wasn't a true White color and placed a sheet of paper on top of it vs on top of the kohler porcelain sink.. Similar difference to what you're seeing.”
“I had the exact same thing happen and the plumbers pulled out a bunch of roots that had grown into the pipes”
“Hey guys, I want to know what this little tube is on the toilet. It's connected to a water pipe and sometimes leaks. submitted by /u/ArjunIndigga69 [link] [comments]”
“House built in 1973 for reference, SW Ohio. About 7 years ago I had to redo our master bathroom, where Toilet 1 is located. Periodically since then, Toilet 2's floor flange gasket will leak. Additionally, Toilet 2's water level decreases with Toilet 1 flushing. My guess is the much more modern Toilet 1 "suction" is too strong for Toilet 2. I can confirm that the vent line is clear, and there are no plugs. I have no issue opening the wall in the bathroom of Toilet 2. And I know”
“Hi I’ve checked through other posts but didn’t see a similar model. We’re in UK and the toilet runs for a long time and now it looks like the part on the left is constantly spitting out water. It’s one of those where I had to unscrew the push button in order to remove the lid. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks submitted by /u/16MenOfTain [link] [comments]”
“Due to some work in my basement I now can see this place closer where one of my toilets lead pipe joins the main sewer pipe. I know for sure that it looked wet when I bought this home 6 years ago, but only now I removed some walls and can see details. It likely was like that all the time. From one point of view, this should be poop because this is the sewer line :) At the same time, in one of the pictures you can see that the same dark substance was used to I guess seal this connection, and mayb”
“Hi plumbing professionals of Reddit :) I’m curious what this hookup is. I am HOPING it’s an outdoor water hookup on my patio that could connect to a hose or outdoor sink. Does anyone know what this is? For reference, I live in a new build apartment complex if that’s at all helpful. TIA :) submitted by /u/MeetAltruistic8055 [link] [comments]”
“It’ll be fine. Trust me when I say there are many holes not drilled on center for every pipe. Unless it’s in a serious bind, I wouldn’t worry about it. Send it!”
“This is a picture of the HVAC duct in the ceiling of my garage. It’s tough to see, but there is a small line of water, causing dripping right near the cabinet door. It is a very slow leg and thankfully not ruining any drywall anywhere, so I don’t think it’s a pinhole leak in any copper. I have lots of experience with that in this house, unfortunately, and have in fact replaced most of the copper with PEX in the past year. I’ve looked at every piece of plumbing and water-based appliance in the ho”
“You said you installed new shut off valves on the toilets. But did you shut off the water to them completely to ensure there isn’t a problem with the toilet seal? Most common small leak is the toilet flange which leaks slowly causing the toilet to refill the tank a small amount every so often.”