For questions about the supply and removal of water and liquid waste.
5
votes
2answers
416 views
What should I keep in mind when altering the drainage around my basement?
My back yard has some wet spots near the corner of my house. Because of property lines, fences, and window wells for my basement, it's hard to dramatically change the surface drainage of the area. I'm ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
What could cause taps for both hot and cold water to suddenly stop working?
There are two taps in one of the bathrooms of our house. A few days ago, one of them "went out": after giving a noise as if very suddenly closed, the water stopped flowing, only a little trickling ...
5
votes
3answers
308 views
Options for replacing an at-grade hose bibb
The problem
My house is built on a crawlspace and the floor of the house is just a few inches above grade. The hose bibbs come straight out of the crawlspace and are thus very close to the ground. ...
5
votes
2answers
406 views
How to connect a faucet to a buried water line?
I want to install a sink. There is a buried water line (1" poly) to the site of the sink, with a nice long tail on it if needed. The faucet from an old-fashioned separate faucet system, with one input ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Is there an alternative to a self-piercing saddle valve for a humidifier?
I bought and installed a whole home humidifier. The humidifier is located in my attic connected to the air exchanger. The Self-Piercing Saddle Valve is located there as well to draw water to the ...
5
votes
2answers
447 views
What can (and cannot) be put down drains that are connected to septic systems?
This might be more appropriate as a community wiki...
We have a septic system and I'm extremely paranoid about what can (and cannot) be put down our sink drains. I know the general answer is ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Can I convert/adapt to PEX from copper tubing?
I'm remodeling a bathroom, and some of the copper tubing needs to be replaced, due to leaks and the need to reposition fixtures. Is it feasible and recommended to convert from copper tubing to PEX? ...
5
votes
3answers
127 views
How can I brace a bathtub faucet without tearing out the tile wall?
I pulled the trim off of my bathtub faucet to grease a sticky cartridge and I saw that the plastic brackets that were used to secure the pipes to the studs were broken. My shower is tile, so I don't ...
5
votes
4answers
589 views
Why is the first shower of the day is colder than the second?
Description
Since I've moved into this house, I've noticed that the first shower of the day is colder than the any subsequent shower. More specifically, if no hot water has been used for a while, ...
5
votes
1answer
563 views
Should second trap under kitchen sink S-trap be there?
My kitchen sink drains through an S-trap immediately below the sink to another trap (a P? a U?) in the basement below. The drain pipe then runs along the wall till it meets the main drain pipe shortly ...
5
votes
3answers
299 views
Does water run through a kitchen faucet sprayer when the faucet is off?
I was attempting to replace my faucet sprayer and hose today and discovered that the hose I bought was not compatible with the faucet. I bought a hose that screws on, the one on the faucet has some ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
The main water valve won't open fully after I closed it. How do I shut off the water to replace it?
Basically the title says it all.
I turned the water for the house off to replace some leaking washing machine shutoff valves, and install stop-cock valves for a laundry sink. When I tried to turn ...
5
votes
1answer
106 views
What is the timeline for broken plumbing to cause damage to a house's foundation?
Assume a plumbing main breaks for whatever reason, and sewage begins to leak into the foundation of a house.
What is the typical timeline for events to play out? For example, plumbing breaks on day ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Why is my kitchen faucet dripping even after water is shut-off?
Kitchen faucet (two separate handles, pull-out hose, Price-Pfister Catalina model) is dripping from the faucet itself. I shut the water from below the sink, determined it's a cold water, unscrewed the ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
Should a circulator pump be installed on the supply or return of a forced hot water heating system?
I currently have a forced hot water heating system with 3 zones, all of which have the circulator pump on the supply side of the line. I need to install a 4th zone and am being told that putting the ...
5
votes
2answers
447 views
How do I realign copper water pipes after cutting?
I cut a 1/2" copper pipe to insert a tee fitting a which will eventually go to a Pex line for an outdoor tap. The copper pipe was vertical, and when I completed the cut I found that the pipe was ...
5
votes
6answers
2k views
Why is my brand new PEX clear tubing turning green near the hot water heater?
I just moved into my house with brand new PEX (uponor) plumbing. I used clear for the hot and cold instead of red and blue, because I bought everything myself and I thought it would prevent wasting ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
How strong are copper refrigerator ice maker water lines?
How strong are the standard copper refrigerator water lines? I have a decent size coil of copper line behind my refrigerator and I am afraid to re-position/re-coil it because I have no idea of it's ...
5
votes
1answer
448 views
No water after reopening main water valve
I closed the main water valve for simple repairs. After reopening it there's barely any water doesn't even register in the meter. The valve doesn't feel broken but I can't think of what could be ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
Do I need a separate vent stack for my kitchen sink?
The drain line from my kitchen sink drops down through the basement, into the basement floor (Concrete), and I assume under the floor to the main sewer line. The sink tends to drain slowly. Should I ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
What is the advantage of PEX pinch clamp vs. crimp rings?
I just saw these for the first time today at Lowe's:
The advantages I can see over the crimp style are:
A single tool can work with multiple PEX sizes
That single tool is cheaper than a ...
5
votes
1answer
278 views
Should a curtain drain be covered/back filled?
I do some light maintenance and yard work in exchange for rent.
The building had some problems with flooding. We have an extensive drain system, but it was a bit clogged. Even after the plumbers ...
5
votes
1answer
173 views
Why does water from outside spigots seem to “stutter” (starts and stops)?
I live in a 1950s-built home in a warm climate.
When I run water from an outside spigot, such as to water plants, it's not uncommon for the output to "stutter" near the start and then again ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Is IPS threading compatible with NPT threading?
I've attached two links to the fittings I'm looking to purchase online. But I don't know if they will work together.
Chrome Plated Brass Pipe Fitting, Coupling , 1/2" NPT Female
and
Moen ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I lengthen my vent stack and are there any negative effects in doing so?
I have observed that when we receive a lot of snow here in Ontario, at least one of the drain vents on my roof is covered by snow. While after one winter in the house I have not yet observed any ...
5
votes
1answer
809 views
How to replace bathtub pull-up drain stopper with screen/mesh for hair?
I have a bathtub which also is a shower, and it has a twist-and-pull type drain. Currently I never actually use the bathtub for taking a bath, only showers. Unfortunately it keeps getting clogged with ...
5
votes
1answer
754 views
What should I consider when using a sewage ejector pump?
What are some of the things that you need to consider if you have a sewage ejector pump regarding maintenance and prevention of abominable, excrable catastrophes?
From what I gather this thing is ...
5
votes
4answers
145 views
How do I get these toilet shut off valve out?
As title says I am trying to figure out how to remove the old shut off valve from the pipe. I've been watching lot of videos, reading up on articles and all seem to deal with compression fit type but ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
How should I pump water throughout a house from holding tanks in the basement?
I have an infrequently used, small cabin that needs a pumping system installed. Currently, there is no pressure tank or pump installed. There was one many years ago but that's long gone. The water ...
5
votes
2answers
841 views
What are the symptoms when 1 of the electric water heater elements goes kaput?
I suspect that something has gone awry with the electric water heater.
We do get water that is plenty hot, but it doesn't seem to last as long as it used to. My suspicions are further aroused because ...
5
votes
1answer
452 views
What is the best way of plumbing a bathroom so as to avoid temperature fluctuations in the shower?
Everyone has been in a shower where you can tell when someone flushes a toilet, opens a kitchen tap, etc, as the temperature rapidly changes. There's also other places where the shower is virtually ...
5
votes
2answers
349 views
What could be the cause of a washing machine hose coming loose?
Ok, I'm not a rocket scientist but this has me stumped. I have a new hot water hose for my washing machine. I replaced the O-ring on the faucet side of the the connection, tightened and went to use. ...
5
votes
2answers
366 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
323 views
Is there such a thing as a vacuum sump pump? No standing water above check valve?
Is there such a thing as a vacuum operated sump pump?
Most sumps or ejector pumps leave a column of water above the check valve, and leave a few centimeters of water in the sump beside.
I have a need ...
5
votes
2answers
522 views
Are either of these tools suitable for tightening the pipe union nut underneath a bath?
I'm having trouble tightening the pipe union nuts on some new bath taps I've fitted at my mum's house. I got everything out OK, and (because the previous plumber had put the hot tap on the right ...
5
votes
1answer
4k views
How can I properly vent a basement toilet & shower using an AAV?
When we bought our house the plumbing drains for a basement bathroom were roughed in but they did not install any vent lines for them.
We have the first floor plumbing draining into the main stack ...
5
votes
1answer
905 views
Why is my shower faucet turning itself off?
My shower has a wall mount single lever faucet similar to this: http://www.cn-faucet.com/Wall-Mount-Single-Lever-Faucets-141.html
Over time, it has become more sensitive and now, in most angles, ...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
636 views
What alternative methods exist to correct a belly in a clay sewer line?
In the first 18 months of living in my house, I've already had 4 sewage backups in my basement. Luckily the basement is not finished and I've caught the backup each time before it became a large ...
5
votes
1answer
648 views
How should I convert a double sink to a single sink?
We are going to remodel our bathroom which currently has two sinks (and not that much cabinet/drawer storage) to a single sink with larger (and more) drawers for storage.
Under the current double ...
4
votes
3answers
8k views
How high can I stretch my washing machine drain hose?
The waste hose through which the water is removed from my washing machine is inserted into a vertical pipe extending from the floor with a U shape at its end.
The problem is that there is foam coming ...
4
votes
3answers
877 views
What sealant should I use for the base of a sink faucet?
I guess the title says it all. =) I'm planning to replace my kitchen sink faucet. What type of sealant should I use for the base of the new sink faucet?
4
votes
2answers
1k views
How to snake a bathtub with no overflow drain?
Our upstairs bath tub has been taking longer and longer to drain and my wife has finally tasked me to fix it.
Yesterday I literally emptied an entire bottle of Liquid Plumber down the drain ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
Why does my kitchen faucet cut out intermittently?
Sometimes when I'm running water from my kitchen faucet, it will cut out for no apparent reason. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm running hot or cold water (or a mixture), but does seem to happen ...
4
votes
3answers
3k views
Stuck, leaking water shutoff valve to toilet
The problem...
I recently replaced the fill valve and the flapper in one of the toilets in my house. When I turned the water back on using the shutoff valve below the toilet, a slow drip had ...
4
votes
4answers
10k views
Why is it bad to flush baby wipes?
I've always heard that you shouldn't flush baby wipes because
They don't dissolve in your septic system
They can clog old pipes.
I currently live in a modern, multi-story apartment building. There ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
What electrical requirements does a garbage disposal have?
I just moved into a new house (well, actually it's old - 1920). We don't have a garbage disposal and was interested in in having one installed so I called a plumber. He estimated $650-750 saying ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
What to do with leaky sink?
Our kitchen sink has been slowly leaking for several months, and as of yesterday, it is finally leaking so bad we can't use it until it's fixed. I'm generally handy, but when it comes to plumbing of ...
4
votes
2answers
977 views
Can I run a copper pipe for water in an exterior wall without it freezing in the winter?
I would like to install a new hose bib on the exterior wall of my house, to be accessed on the deck. Currently, there is a hose bib on the lower level (underneath the deck) straight down from where I ...
4
votes
2answers
592 views
How can I fix a toilet that is backing up with sink water?
I need help. I would like to avoid calling a plumber. The toilet in our downstairs bathroom keeps backing up.
Here is what I have tried and/or observed:
I tried using a good plunger. I cannot even ...
