Recent content by Runs with Bison

Why not take the humidifier feed from a cold water tap instead? If a small humidifier draw is causing stacking then the easiest solution would be to move the tap to the cold side... Beats installing a pump that will continuously use power, transfer heat to the surroundings, and be a potential...

Can't speak to a water softener as I've never used one, even when our water was incredibly hard well water coming from Ozark limestone...as a teen/early twenties I changed a lot of water heater elements at the barn and in the house. Short run times to warm don't waste much water, and our use is...

Out of curiosity, what is your baseline natural gas usage per month (in therms, CCF or however you are billed for quantity, not $.) I expect this natural convection to come at a substantial annual cost. Keeping lines continuously hot, especially if uninsulated requires energy. For...

Have you tried sending the above image of the faucet to Moen to ask them if they can ID it?

FWIW: I've purchased six now, EcoDrake's and Drake II's, all 1.28 gpf with CEFIONTECT and elongated and never spent even $400 on one. With regards to the problem some are seeing I'll toss in a potential contributor for it: Shorter spacing from the waterline to the rim/seat than some other...

Had a Bosch in the rental we were in for a year...worst dishwasher I've ever experienced. Poor rack layout, poor rack pullout, broke glasses as a result since trays slammed on close or came free on opening. Used and needed rinse agent to work properly and went through it rapidly. Didn't clean...

Terry, Which of the two wall hung toilets did you prefer? (Not that I'm in the market for any, just seemed like something that might prove useful to your readers.) I'm guessing the Gerber because it is simpler (not pressure assist) and is lower flush volume? And more importantly, what is a...

The problem I have with the current flex line arrangement is that they look borderline to kinking. They are not kinked in the photo, but I don't like the amount of bend on the inner radius and the amount of extension on the outer radius. Realistically, if the tank is not moving around and...

I looked at the drainwater heat recovery systems in a previous home. I agree with Dana's perspective on them. There was one that would have been a good fit in that home, but I had reduced hot water use so much and nat. gas was so cheap there that the payback was overly long in that location...

What flow rate is your showerhead and how long of a shower do you desire? If you don't know on the flow rate a simple bucket test with known volume or using a bathroom scale and a stopwatch can give you the flow rate. If you have multiple showerheads or an old showerhead with some crazy high...

If it was standing in water there is a good chance it was leaking already or that the T&P was relieving/dribbling. Could have been a fitting leak, I've had those, especially with the plastic drain valves...had one of those crack and break off from the water heater while I was trying to figure...

The first question is does the OP need one? That is only answered by determining if the system is closed in some fashion. If it is a well with a pressure tank, then no. If the OP is on municipal supply, then there is a good chance that checks already exist (or will be added later) that will...

I am not a professional (with respect to plumbing) so keep that in mind. Like you I don't like the looks of what they did to make the new taller tank connect. I think they went cheap on this by stretching the flex lines and straightening the tubing runs. I'm somewhat concerned by how well...

Local markets can vary greatly in that regard. I've been fortunate on pricing with these in the past, but in some smaller towns I lived in I would have expected an experience more like yours. Their volume and selection would likely not have allowed them to give me a reasonable price even if...

What sort of tank arrangement do you have? Is this a tank (with a heater) that is kept liquid full like a home water heater, or is it a tank that has an operating range? (e.g. high level might be 80%, low level 20%...or empty if the heater does not have to remain flooded/covered and shuts off...