All Forum Posts by: Austin James

Originally posted by @Daniel Lee:

Austin, what do you think of the pex manifold systems?  To me they seem like an awesome concept.  But I was talking to an old school plumber and he was saying he wasn't a big fan of them. He said they lack pressure.  I am still a bit out from breaking ground but plan on building eight duplexes and I plan on holding them for as long as I can.  So I want them to be as low maintenance as possible.  Thanks.

 Now your speaking my language! I love them, they are a plumbers best friend. Instead of shutting down a whole complex to repair something. You can shut down the fixture that needs repairing. That being said, you can loose some pressure but not enough to weigh that as a con. If the pressure is not what you desire you can always install a booster. But in the 100's of systems I've installed I've never had a pressure complaint. And Pex is just a beautiful thing super easy to repair and will last a long time. If not forever! 

@Joel Florek

Correct that would be the only way, here in Utah. Residents and acess to the shut off at the street. All it takes is a phone call to obtain "permission" to shut it off. You'd be best to call the city and make sure your city isn't the same way. If it is it's a very simple quick fix. I'm assuming if all copper piping? If your doing the replacement yourself it's very easy. A plumber will charge anywhere from $300-$700(here in Utah) while the parts you'll need to do it is roughly $70-$100. Hope that helps a little bit. 

Originally posted by @Steve Vaughan:

Thanks for offering your plumbing expertise @Austin James!   I don't have a question at this time, but wanted to say 'we appreciate you'!  Many won't bother.  Cheers!

 Thanks Steve plumbing can be a very frustrating thing ha any help I can give. 

Originally posted by @Erik Garland:

Hey Austin. On a complete  bathroom remodel... is there any reason I should not use Osb behind the fiberglass  shower stall? ?  I think plywood would be next  then drywall,no?

I may be not understanding the question, so forgive me if this doesn't answer it. There should be no board behind the shower walls the fiberglass tub/shower should butt directly against the studs and be anchored to the studs on top and bottom making sure it's leveled. And then a bathroom "wet" drywall put on around the stall. Is that what your meaning by behind? 

Originally posted by @Brandt Tingen:

I have a tenant that is using 50 - 600 gallons of water per day. 

 If 600 gallons of water are being used a day, you have a bigger issue than a leaky toilet. So things I have ran into during my years of owning a pluming company. 

-Main water line leaking before it gets to the house 

-Illegal tie in feeding the neighbors home with free water 

-faulty water meter at the street(city issue)

-laundry mat being ran unbeknownst to the owner (daughter trying to make extra money)

And the funniest 

Hydroponic marijuana grow o marijuana operation. The owner had no idea it would use so much water. 

As far as good product-

Find your nearest plumbing supply house. NOT HOME DEPOT OR LOWES. Go open an account and get wholesale pricing. Plumbing supplies have HUGE mark up. 

Suppliers I use

Mountain states plumbing supply 

Great western plumbing supply 

Standard plumbing supply 

My 2 cents

Originally posted by @Drew Sommers:

The property I'm currently working on has a sink that backs up in to the bathtub.  However when I flush the toilet located between the two, water comes out of the base of the neighboring bathroom toilet.  Where is the problem?

I have a plumber coming on Tuesday btw.

Sounds like you have a main stack blockage. A rotor rooter style plumber will make short work of it for a $299-$599 cost. It will require pulling up both toilets most likely 

Originally posted by @James Lindsey:

Is it common for duplexes to have a joined/shared plumbing system? If so how does it effect costs compared to an SFR?

 Yea its common especially in my area. It can be more expensive. I suggest you either bite the bullet on the cost or charge a flat "utility charge" to help cover the expense 

Originally posted by @Gina Ruff:

What fixture colors will be popular next?  I have brushed nickel now, but don't want to look dated in future..

 I have found brushed nickel with stay for a long time. Just your basic chrome will be somewhat timeless as we'll. As long as you use a modern fixture style 

Did plumbing for 7 years before moving to sells, I still own a plumbing company on the side. I can do my best to answer any plumbing questions. Ask away.

If the property was deemed his in the divorce and its stated in the divorce decree, that the property is his. He should be able to do all of it without her. They will just ask to see the divorce decree. My 2 cents