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Plumbing Repairs
Jan. 28th, 2025 12:54 pmThere are two working bathrooms in Fernley House. (The upstairs bathroom plumbing has never worked because the previous owner ruined it, and we've never prioritized the substantial cost of fixing it.) One of the two bathroom's toilets backed up last week, and none of the things I tried worked. The toilet in the other bathroom has been a problem because the flapper valve was leaking continuously and I couldn't find any part at Lowe's that would replace it.
Until a few years ago, I would have called the plumbing company for which Steve-the-Plumber worked and they'd fix it. But that company was sold, and at that time Steve retired from it. He now maintains stuff for a bunch of houses in Yerrington, where he lives. (No more having to drive to Fernley or Tonopah for jobs.) I called him (he still cleans our chimney once a year) and asked his advice. After discussing it, I called a local plumbing company. It wasn't an emergency, so I made an appointment for which they could get to us on Monday.
On Monday during the window promised, the plumber arrived. Using a power auger, he got the rear bathroom toiled unplugged. I was worried that we had a frozen drain, but it was just a stubborn clog.
For the forward bathroom toilet, he said he'd go to Lowe's and buy the necessary part. It took longer than expected, and explained why I couldn't find anything: instead of putting it with the other toilet parts, Lowe's had it on an end-cap an aisle away. But anyway, he installed the replacement part and (aside from having a whole lot of cleaning left to do on the rear toilet), we're mostly back in business. The cost, including parts, was less than $200.
The toilet seat in the forward bathroom broke last month, and Lowe's no longer carries the replacement that we want. We need to find the time to go look at places in Reno. We can get by, however.
Until a few years ago, I would have called the plumbing company for which Steve-the-Plumber worked and they'd fix it. But that company was sold, and at that time Steve retired from it. He now maintains stuff for a bunch of houses in Yerrington, where he lives. (No more having to drive to Fernley or Tonopah for jobs.) I called him (he still cleans our chimney once a year) and asked his advice. After discussing it, I called a local plumbing company. It wasn't an emergency, so I made an appointment for which they could get to us on Monday.
On Monday during the window promised, the plumber arrived. Using a power auger, he got the rear bathroom toiled unplugged. I was worried that we had a frozen drain, but it was just a stubborn clog.
For the forward bathroom toilet, he said he'd go to Lowe's and buy the necessary part. It took longer than expected, and explained why I couldn't find anything: instead of putting it with the other toilet parts, Lowe's had it on an end-cap an aisle away. But anyway, he installed the replacement part and (aside from having a whole lot of cleaning left to do on the rear toilet), we're mostly back in business. The cost, including parts, was less than $200.
The toilet seat in the forward bathroom broke last month, and Lowe's no longer carries the replacement that we want. We need to find the time to go look at places in Reno. We can get by, however.
