You nailed it about the vent stack—had a job last year where every drain in the house was crawling. Folks thought it was some epic clog, but it was just a squirrel’s stash of acorns in the vent. Cleared that out and everything flowed like new. I’ve always been wary of chemical cleaners too; seen too many traps eaten away, and you can always smell when someone’s been heavy-handed with that stuff. Honestly, a plunger and a little patience have saved me more times than not... sometimes the old ways just work.
Honestly, a plunger and a little patience have saved me more times than not... sometimes the old ways just work.
You’re speaking my language. My house is pushing 120 years, and I swear the pipes have more personality than some of my relatives. Last winter, I had a “mystery leak” in the kitchen—turned out to be a hairline crack in an ancient cast iron elbow. Tried one of those fancy epoxy wraps, but it just made the leak look like it was wearing a band-aid. Ended up swapping the whole section for copper, which felt like giving the old place a bionic upgrade.
As for clogs, I’ve learned to treat chemical cleaners like that cousin who always borrows money—best kept at arm’s length. Once used some on a slow tub drain and it ate through the stopper linkage... lesson learned. These days, it’s plungers, snakes, and occasionally muttering threats at the pipes under my breath. Funny how often that last one works.
I hear you on the chemical cleaners—those things are like playing Russian roulette with your plumbing. I’ve had better luck with a good old-fashioned drain snake, even if it means pulling up some truly horrifying hair monsters. Swapping out cast iron for copper is a bold move, though. Ever thought about PEX? I keep hearing it’s the future, but something about plastic in old houses just feels weird to me. Anyone actually tried it long-term?
- Totally get what you mean about chemical cleaners—I've had pipes gurgle at me in protest after using them.
- The drain snake is gross but weirdly satisfying when you finally get the clog out.
- Copper looks classic, but yeah, PEX is tempting. I’ve read it’s flexible and easier to install, but I’m also a bit skeptical about plastic in old walls.
- Honestly, trying something new can feel risky, but you’re making bold moves and that’s inspiring. Old houses have quirks, but tackling them head-on is half the fun, right?
I hear you on the PEX vs. copper debate—copper does have that solid, old-school feel. But honestly, I’ve gone with PEX in a couple spots just because it’s way cheaper and easier to run through tight places. Have you thought about using compression fittings instead of soldering? They’re not as “classic,” but for a budget fix, they’re a lifesaver and don’t need fancy tools. I get being wary about plastic in old walls, though… ever worry about rodents chewing through it? That’s my only real hang-up.
