For questions about the supply and removal of water and liquid waste.
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Is it safe to use heat tape on a drain line (p-trap)?
Background/Problem:
The p-trap for a drainage line (PVC) from one of my showers happens to be outside the house in an area that isn't protected from the cold/wind (yeah, I know) so when it freezes ...
-1
votes
1answer
78 views
What are some easy to do DIY money saving projects? [closed]
I am always looking for ways to improve efficiency and save money around the house. Some of the things I have done are
Install energy efficient light bulbs all throughout the house
Replaced all ...
4
votes
2answers
384 views
Should we install an overhead tank or cistern tank?
We are building our home (a 2-storey house) and a cistern tank was suggested by our architect for aesthetics. We asked around the neighborhood and one person has a cistern and an overhead tank but ...
2
votes
1answer
436 views
Why is my main water supply shut off valve leaking even while closed?
While prepping to install a new kitchen faucet, I went to shut off the water supply to the house since there were no valves under the sink. I mistakenly chose to turn the city-side (gate valve) supply ...
8
votes
5answers
4k views
How do I eliminate the “whooshing” sound of water running though pipes?
At every faucet and toilet in our house, when water is running, it creates a loud wooshing noise in the walls. I'm not sure how else to describe it, but it's like the normal "oh I can hear the sink or ...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
How can I fix this broken connector piece on my Symmons shower Knob?
I was trying to get the knob off so I could potentially increase the amount of hot water getting mixed and it seemed to be coming off nicely but then snapped. By nicely, I mean it was a steady ...
2
votes
1answer
357 views
Can't get threaded connector all the way into shower faucet. Do they need to go all the way?
We're installing a small corner shower in one of our washrooms, and I'm having an issue with the threaded inlet/outlet connections on the faucet.
I'm using Sharkbite, and bought some ...
0
votes
1answer
265 views
Why won't my toilet flush right? Did our plumbers not put something back right?
We've had issues in the past about having the sewage line get backed up. We just had the plumber here almost a week ago to replace the water line. Now our toilet won't flush right. It flushes all ...
1
vote
1answer
142 views
Is it safe to not have a safety cutoff on an immersion heater?
I'm having some serious trouble with the immersion heater in my apartment. I believe the set up is similar to the one described in this answer, however there is no thermostat to turn the immersion ...
36
votes
8answers
22k views
How can I improve the water pressure in my shower?
I recently purchased my first home. It has two bathrooms and the water pressure in both is less than ideal. What are some steps I can take to increase the pressure?
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Can a ½ inch water pipe supply enough pressure for a shower head and body sprayers?
I have a ½" water supply feeding my shower currently. We're currently doing a remodel and would like to install a shower system (shower head and three body sprayers).
Can I use the current supply to ...
2
votes
1answer
104 views
Can replacing a T&P valve be done as DIY by a home owner?
I want to replace the T&P valve on my gas water heater since it is dripping water all the time. I talked to a couple of people such as my friend and a salesperson at a Home Improvement Store. They ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
Will the water be able to drain out of a blocked toilet?
Our toilet is backed up and water is filled to the brim but there is nothing else in the bowl. I turned off the water supply for the toilet with the little knob connected to the wall, but will the ...
0
votes
1answer
108 views
Why is cold water coming from the hot part of the faucet? [duplicate]
The last plumber I called made a test. He closed the cold water intake to the 40 gallon gas water heater. The he opened all the hot water faucets in my house. After a minute passed,
the faucets, ...
7
votes
11answers
6k views
Is it worth it to insulate hot water PEX tubing?
Is it worth the time and expense to put the foam pipe wrap on pex hot water pipes? I've seen mixed statements.
What is your thought? But more importantly, can you back it up?
12
votes
3answers
4k views
How often do septic tanks typically need to be pumped?
At the risk of potentially asking an off-topic question, I'd like to better understand the maintenance of a septic tank. I've never had one before and am unfamiliar with how to manage one.
My ...
3
votes
1answer
238 views
Could sound insulation around copper pipes cause condensation?
A leak in the bathroom, above the kitchen, started as a small water stain on the ceiling. I opened the ceiling and determined insulation (2 insulation pieces), that was placed to absorb the sewer ...
3
votes
1answer
147 views
Whats the difference between black, blue and red PEX pipes sleeves
I'm using PEX pipes for water tubing, but I'm not sure which sleeve type should I use for hot and cold water pipes.
Whats the difference between black, blue and red sleeves? and which should I be ...
0
votes
0answers
18 views
A shower give warm water for a few seconds, then gets could. How can I fix it? [duplicate]
The house has four bedrooms. The 40 gallon gas water heater is about 60 feet from this shower. The house is a one story house in flat terrain. I have already changed the mixing faucet for the shower, ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
What causes a water heaters relief valve to discharge water?
I have a Gas Reliance Water Heater 1212. I found recently (in winter) there is a water dip through the relief valve into a 5 gallon bucket. Sometimes, it can fill the whole bucket. Sometimes, it has ...
3
votes
1answer
225 views
How do I easily separate unglued PVC pipe from joints?
I've been retrofitting an existing PVC irrigation system around my house. Part of that work requires that I work in shallow holes adding T joints and elbows in places where there were none before. In ...
0
votes
1answer
211 views
Low water pressure in house
My inside water pressure is very low. My outside pressure is good. I did disconnect an old water softener and just connected the input and output pipes from the softener together. I would like to ...
6
votes
2answers
6k views
What is causing a whistling sound coming from my upstairs bathroom?
My upstairs shower is causing a high-pitched whistling sound when it's running and there is a showerhead attached. If I remove the showerhead, but keep the water flowing, the whistling noise stops. It ...
3
votes
1answer
256 views
How to drill and waterproof a hole in cinder block for PVC drain?
I have a new electric hybrid water heater that emits condensation from a drain tube (normal) which is a bit different than a traditional electric water heater. Right now I have a bucket under the ...
4
votes
2answers
291 views
Why does pressure relief valve state 'Not for Use with Water Heaters'?
So I replaced my 6.5 year old electric hot water (installed with house built in 06') heater and used an identical plumbing setup as my previous install. My previous (and now current) install has a ...
2
votes
0answers
62 views
Where could the air in the water system be coming from?
We live on the top two floors of a small brownstone walkup. To get the heating to work upstairs I need to bleed the baseboard heater almost every other day. All faucets in the house sputter, and the ...
2
votes
1answer
170 views
What can I do about a toilet drain pipe that is too high above the floor?
My toilet drain pipe protrudes about 1/3" above the floor, and makes the toilet wobbly. What can I do to fix this?
5
votes
2answers
373 views
How do I make my bathroom pipes more practical?
I need to install a new vanity in my bathroom but I'm not sure what to do about the plumbing for under the sink. I believe the present location of the sink was originally where the bathtub was. The ...
1
vote
2answers
3k views
When does an under the sink P-Trap assembly need venting?
In the realm of second homeowner woes, I had a P-Trap assembly under the bathroom sink. It was a strait connection to the pipe connected to the main sewer line. (least I think that was the case) ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I replace a broken bathtub drain?
I am trying to replace my bathtub drain however the cross bars have broken off so I am unable to unscrew it from the tub.
How can I unscrew it?
EDIT:
This is approximately the product I am trying ...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
Why does my shower head drip when the tub faucet is on?
I just installed a new tub fixture set:
There are two controls - one for temperature and one for volume. The large handle is volume.
When the diverter valve is engaged the shower sprays properly ...
4
votes
2answers
268 views
Do I need a vent on this emergency drain?
Code allows the use of a wet vent for the bathroom group which in my case is a sink, toilet, and shower drain. About 10-15 feet down stream of this group I have a washing machine drain with its own ...
6
votes
3answers
5k views
How do I retrieve a detached plunger from a bathtub drain?
I have an old bathtub drain assembly that is similar to this:
As far as I can tell, the linkage broke off completely due to old age. If I unscrew the trip lever and cover, it's not attached to ...
11
votes
1answer
379 views
What are the uses of the various schedules of PVC pipe?
I had a plumber come out the other day to do some work and I offered up some spare PVC that I had leftover from various projects and he told me that it was schedule so-and-so and wouldn't be ...
6
votes
6answers
5k views
What can I do about my drains constantly getting blocked?
The one thing I have tried to do about this is use those foaming and non-foaming drain unblockers regularly. That has just been money down the drain, pardon the pun.
I suspect that unblockers only ...
1
vote
0answers
104 views
How to remove flex hose from a single-control, tall faucet?
I have a faucet that is leaking down the flex hose. The one flex hose unscrewed easily. The second is turning but not coming out. I assume the nut has become separated from the crimp on the hose. ...
13
votes
4answers
628 views
Is plunging a toilet without a plunger a good tip or a horrible idea?
Read this elsewhere and personally, I thought it was a bad bad bad idea, but I wanted to put this out there to see if I might be mistaken:
I learned a quick tip from a handyman on how to create a ...
2
votes
1answer
239 views
How can I remove this toilet shutoff valve?
This valve has a slow leak, and I am trying to replace it. Problem is I can't get the thing off. I am trying to twist the compression nut (the bronze one closest to the white pipe) clockwise while ...
0
votes
1answer
76 views
How do I unblock an interceptor chamber?
I have a house built in the UK in 1906, which has an Interceptor Chamber. Having identified it as such, I need to figure out how to unblock it. Water is currently backing up all the way to ground ...
1
vote
0answers
180 views
What could be causing thumping in the wall when the bathroom shower, toilet, or sink are used?
I hear a thumping in the wall whenever the second floor bathroom shower, toilet, or sink are used (sound is similar to if you let the bottom of your fist fall against a sheetrock wall). It is 'almost' ...
4
votes
2answers
458 views
Is it wrong to connect multiple J-bends (traps) together?
My tenants recently told me that they have constant clogging problems with their bathroom sink and had me come take a look at it. I found the following 3-trap configuration:
This was done because ...
2
votes
1answer
751 views
Why do my pipes bang when running hot water in my kitchen?
After a minute or so of hot water running in my kitchen the pipes start to knock, and water doesn't come out in a stream. It is like there is air getting in.
What is happening, and how can I fix it?
...
2
votes
1answer
603 views
How do I stop a leak in a refrigerator water line connection?
I have a copper water line going into my refrigerator. It's leaking at the connector line in the attached picture. It looks like the leak is not from the fridge, but from the connection line, right ...
0
votes
2answers
410 views
What could be causing a leaky p trap under my bathroom sink?
Recently, the bottom of our bathroom sink has started to leak just slightly. Little drips come out of the nuts. The leaking part seems to be more toward the end where the pipe meets the wall and the ...
1
vote
0answers
46 views
How/where should I put a water dispenser on this counter?
My friend's coffee shop has a hot water dispenser they use for drip coffee and tea. It's already filtered, and accessible to customers.
It would be terribly convenient if we customers could get cold ...
12
votes
2answers
3k views
Will a PEX run freeze if it's in the attic above a foyer?
I plan on running PEX pipes both hot and cold across 16 feet of unheated attic space above a foyer. The foyer is 16' long and is off the kitchen, it isn't heated directly but is part of the house; it ...
0
votes
0answers
167 views
What could cause my radiators to go cold when the hot water is turned on?
when only heating is selected on my program timer the radiators all work fine and are hot. But when both heating and hot water are on the water gets hot but all the radiators go cold. When the hot ...
2
votes
2answers
289 views
Why do I run out of hot water after 5 min?
I have a gas water heater and recently found that I do not get more than 5min of hot water. Previously I would be able to take a half hour shower. I see no leaks around water heater. It also seems ...
2
votes
1answer
211 views
How can I replace a Delta 1400 shower valve cartridge?
I have a delta 1400 shower valve that I had to replace. The existing one was full of sediment. When I put everything back together water just comes out the tub spout as if the valve wasn't there. When ...
3
votes
0answers
57 views
How can I locate an odor emanating from the kitchen/laundry area?
I live in South Florida. My home is a one level, 2400-sq ft, u-shaped with bedrooms on one side and kitchen/laundry on the other side. I have a consistent odor but it's not constant. It comes and ...
