Hit my 50th toilet rebuild yesterday and it got weirdly sentimental

I started fixing up our old toilets back in March because I was tired of paying a plumber $150 for a simple flapper swap. Yesterday I finished rebuild number 50 for a neighbor's 1980s American Standard that was running nonstop. It took me about 20 minutes and cost her $12 in parts from Ace Hardware. Has anyone else just... lost count of how many times you've fixed the same type of thing around the house?

3 comments

3 Comments

tarar272mo ago

50 toilet rebuilds? I'm still trying to figure out why my own bathroom sink drain keeps getting clogged no matter how many times I snake it. Guess some of us just become accidental experts in the weirdest home repairs. At least your neighbor got a good deal on a fix that'd cost her a hundred bucks easy.

amy1542mo ago

Accidental experts" lol girl no. You paid Ace $12 for a part that costs $2 on Amazon, and now you're sentimental about being a glorified toilet whisperer? I'd rather pay a plumber $150 and not have to deal with someone else's 1980s poop throne ever again.

uma6851mo ago

That $12 Ace parts markup is basically the convenience fee for not waiting on Amazon shipping, but @tarar27 is right about us becoming accidental experts. Your sink drain might have buildup from hair and soap scum that a snake can't fully clear, might need a good chemical drain cleaner or taking the trap apart to really finish the job. Fifty rebuilds later and I can basically do them in my sleep, which beats shelling out for a plumber even if Ace gets an extra couple bucks out of me.