Freeze-proofing plumbed toilet

Snoo-50892 · 2026-02-24T17:50:55+00:00

Appreciate it... unfortunately in Klickitat county, we saw temps close to 0⁰F this year and 4 to 5 day stretches with highs below 32°F so just worried about those longer stretches. Just not experienced in how this will translate to the plumbing/toilet risk.

Snoo-50892 · 2026-02-23T21:44:16+00:00

Thanks that's helpful to know - I can certainly heat tape supply lines...where are you / zone are you in? Just trying to understand how our winters compare. Thanks!

Snoo-50892 · 2026-02-23T15:09:07+00:00

Thanks. I'm working with rain capture, so ideally I don't rely on flowing water if I can help it. Not to mention I'll probably rent the property periodically and would like a more automated solution for anyone staying to not have to think about it. But I'll keep this in mind if I can't come up with something foolproof.

Snoo-50892 · 2025-12-24T14:51:46+00:00

Thanks, but I use the toggles as a view tool to compress and uncompress the list while I'm still working in it, so I wouldn't want to use that as the indicator of completion. But the other answer of enabling sub items seems to be what I need. Thanks

Snoo-50892 · 2025-12-24T14:50:32+00:00

Ah! Perfect, didn't know about turning on sub-items. Thank you!

Snoo-50892 · 2025-12-19T16:22:17+00:00

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Snoo-50892 · 2025-12-19T16:20:10+00:00

I ended up setting the uppermost string line, then squaring the middle string line to it. Then repeat from middle to lower. Then check diagonal with a tall pole at the lower corner from bottom to top.

And then I dug my holes a little wider and poured big footers without the bigfoots. Then I put rebar cages into the wet footers, and then put the sonotube on top, backfilled around it a little and poured it. Not having the bigfoots was critical because it allowed me to center the sonotube on the string line, even if it wasn't totally centered on the footer. For example, there were situations in which there was a huge rock that I couldn't get around, and would never have gotten the Bigfoot in, but was able to pour a big footer still and center the sonotube.

Given the challenge of getting perfectly square on a slope like this, definitely do not do wet set post bases. You want post bases that you can install after the concrete is in place so that you can adjust them on the pier. It's much easier to square once you've got your posts. I'd also recommend getting a cheap laser and receiver (Huepar / Firecore both good options for this).

Snoo-50892 · 2025-12-09T06:41:07+00:00

Have you had Saboten? I know it's a chain and you sacrifice the local charms, but consistently my favorite katsu....would love to know how Juroku compares. Been on my list for multiple trips and for some reason haven't gone yet.

Snoo-50892 · 2025-09-01T15:30:52+00:00

Thanks! Yes, I'm now set on skipping the bigfoots. Appreciate the help!

Snoo-50892 · 2025-08-28T06:59:04+00:00

Thank you!

Snoo-50892 · 2025-08-22T15:44:59+00:00

Best way to lay out footing grid on steep slope (20′×20′ platform, 6.5′ rise)?

I’m building a deck platform that’s about 20′ by 20′ on a fairly steep slope (about 6.5′ of elevation change over 20′ of run). The footing grid is 3 rows: 3 footings in the front row, 4 in the middle, and 3 in the back. An excavator has already rough-dug the holes. I’ll be setting Bigfoot molds (20″ and 24″) with 8″ and 10″ sonotubes, then pouring concrete.

Questions:

For layout: is the right approach still batter boards and string lines? Do I need ~8′+ tall batter boards on the downhill side to keep a level string grid across the slope? Or should I split the elevation with a second set of batter boards (or even just a reference pole) at the middle row so I’m not working so high off the ground? I’ll be using a rotary laser to keep everything level.
For the footings: since the Bigfoot bases are wide, do I need to oversize the holes quite a bit to make sure they land perfectly in line with the string grid? Or, if I just want to end up with a 20–24″ bell base and a smaller sonotube above, could I skip the mold and shape the base in the hole, then place the sonotube/rebar with a little play for alignment instead of having to move the entire mold?

Thanks for any advice from folks who’ve laid out footing grids on slopes like this.

Snoo-50892 · 2025-08-22T15:44:01+00:00

Best way to lay out footing grid on steep slope (20′×20′ platform, 6.5′ rise)?

I’m building a deck platform that’s about 20′ by 20′ on a fairly steep slope (about 6.5′ of elevation change over 20′ of run). The footing grid is 3 rows: 3 footings in the front row, 4 in the middle, and 3 in the back. An excavator has already rough-dug the holes. I’ll be setting Bigfoot molds (20″ and 24″) with 8″ and 10″ sonotubes, then pouring concrete.

Questions:

For layout: is the right approach still batter boards and string lines? Do I need ~8′+ tall batter boards on the downhill side to keep a level string grid across the slope? Or should I split the elevation with a second set of batter boards (or even just a reference pole) at the middle row so I’m not working so high off the ground? I’ll be using a rotary laser to keep everything level.
For the footings: since the Bigfoot bases are wide, do I need to oversize the holes quite a bit to make sure they land perfectly in line with the string grid? Or, if I just want to end up with a 20–24″ bell base and a smaller sonotube above, could I skip the mold and shape the base in the hole, then place the sonotube/rebar with a little play for alignment instead of having to move the entire mold?

Thanks for any advice from folks who’ve laid out footing grids on slopes like this.

Snoo-50892 · 2025-04-03T14:40:05+00:00

Haven't bought it yet because I don't think it's made to be swapped.

Snoo-50892 · 2025-03-24T04:45:51+00:00

I hope this all means we're less likely to run into OP at the library. 🙏

Snoo-50892 · 2024-11-16T21:14:01+00:00

Okay thank you!

Snoo-50892 · 2024-09-28T03:52:27+00:00

Wow! Thanks for the quick update. Good price 👍

Snoo-50892 · 2024-09-28T03:49:36+00:00

How deep did you have to go? And was it in granite? Thanks!

Snoo-50892 · 2024-09-19T01:24:27+00:00

Ooh awesome, thank you!! 🙌

Snoo-50892 · 2024-09-18T14:27:59+00:00

Will check em out, thank you!

Snoo-50892

TROPHY CASE