For questions about the supply and removal of water and liquid waste.
3
votes
1answer
159 views
How can I fix this leak?
There's a water leak in the tube coming out of my heater. Yet the bolts look tightly put.
I'm not sure how to fix it. Any idea ?
4
votes
1answer
145 views
Does a dishwasher require a disposal?
I'm thinking of installing a dishwasher. Unfortunately, my kitchen layout would not allow me to install it beside the sink (without moving the whole sink & cabinet). So, I'd like to install it ...
2
votes
0answers
128 views
How can I fix this leak behind my toilet? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How can I fix this leak?
There's a leak in the tube behind my toilet.
(see the drops of water coming out of the joint ?)
What would be the easiest way to fix that ?
4
votes
1answer
109 views
What's this top part of this faucet used for?
This is a faucet coming out of a wall in my backyard. What is that top white round part used for? What tool is used to screw/unscrew it?
1
vote
0answers
341 views
How can I properly drain heatpump condensate?
I have a heat pump in the attic That drains to the ground outside two floors below. I naively added a hose fitting so I could redirect the water where I wanted it, slightly up hill.
This created a ...
16
votes
4answers
14k views
How do I wrap pipe threads with teflon tape?
When wrapping pipe threads with teflon tape (thread seal tape), what is the direction and recommended number of times to wrap the tape around the threads? Any other recommendations or tip/tricks when ...
2
votes
1answer
282 views
What would cause the bottom half of a radiator cool down after heating up?
I have a one pipe system and just had a new Vertex vertical radiator fitted. It's the last radiator in the circuit. The radiator I had replaced for the vertical radiator worked like a dream for the ...
4
votes
3answers
408 views
Calculate savings from/cost-effectiveness of installing a tankless hot water heater?
Following up on "Which water heater types do you recommend?" and "Are tankless water heaters worth it in cold climates", is there a way to calculate the point at which installing a tankless water ...
1
vote
1answer
61 views
What can I use for a water supply for my electric hot water heater?
I want to move my hot water heater to the porch by my washing machine. Can I use the same water supply lines that are used for my washer?
3
votes
3answers
1k views
How to remove rusted remains of kitchen sink tailpiece?
While taking out an rusted tailpeice it broke and you can see what was left in the pvc pipe.
How can I remove the rest of the tailpiece?
Update: Also how would I know which tailpiece size to replace ...
2
votes
1answer
6k views
how to unscrew faucet valve stem when it's stuck?
I'm trying to replace the valve stem of a 2-handle bathroom sink faucet. All the instructions I've found online say to unscrew the nut atop the valve stem.
But my nut, when it turns, also turns the ...
5
votes
2answers
525 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
274 views
Should I turn off the cold water while replacing a hot water faucet stem?
When I'm fixing or replacing the hot-water valve stem in a 2-handle bathroom faucet, do I need to turn off the cold water as well as the hot water, or is turning off the hot water sufficient?
I'm ...
2
votes
2answers
4k views
After installing expansion tank, massive buildup of pressure then a trickle?
I am completely stumped. You guys helped me out a lot with my previous question here: New gas water heater dripping relief valve, have expansion tank, what gives?
Turns out the expansion tank ...
2
votes
1answer
148 views
How to adjust a pressure regulator, that doesn't have a screw/bolt?
The pressure in my house seems to have dropped, so I called my City Water department. They came out and tested it, and said my regulator must be bad. So I dug it up, and found it's one I've never ...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
152 views
How can I remove a stuck tub spigot?
While trying to remove the child safety cover from my tub spigot I managed to shear off the plug mechanism that activates the shower.
The guy at the hardware store sold me a new spigot and now I ...
1
vote
0answers
230 views
How can I loosen a faucet cartridge that is stuck due to limescale buildup?
The cartridge faucet in my bathroom has developed a pretty steady dripping so I decided to give it a shot and replace it. I managed to remove the handle, but the screw ring that keeps the cartridge in ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
Are galvanised steel pipes suitable for supplying hot water?
I am living in an old building where the old galvanized steel pipes are still in use indoors.
Rather than upgrading to copper pipes, can I reuse these galvanized steel pipes for hot water (from a ...
1
vote
2answers
257 views
Sizing DHW expansion tank for tankless heater
I have a combined boiler for hydronic heating and DHW. Earlier in the winter, I started insulating as much of the pipes I can easily access.
This has led to hot water coming out of the cold water ...
1
vote
1answer
169 views
What should the water main connect to first: carbon filter or water softener?
I have an Amazon Gold carbon filter and water softener. It's not clear to me if the water main should go to the carbon filter first then to the water softener or vice versa. So, which goes first?
0
votes
1answer
121 views
Where should this seal ring from a syphon go?
I'm from Europe and I do not know if you in the US have the same system concerning washing basin plumbing.
Today the water of our washing basin did not go away.
So I took my pipe wrench and opened the ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
Repair holes in copper pipe
The drain pipe under my sink is made of copper and has a couple of small holes just before it goes into the wall (and eventually leads out to a greywater tank). The picture below is taken from ...
4
votes
1answer
443 views
How should I use a plumber's snake?
How should I use a plumber's snake if my kitchen sink drain got clogged? Are there any suggestions on when this device is applicable and how to use it?
7
votes
1answer
2k views
How should I build a raised subfloor for my basement bathroom?
I've ripped out the bathroom in my basement that was finished by the previous homeowner. I'm now rebuilding, and curious to the most correct way to go about this.
The whole basement was finished ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
Is my toilet refill issue more likely a problem with the fill valve or supply pipe?
This question may be a duplicate of Toilet Supply Line and Valve Leaking, but I have some different symptoms/troubleshooting steps, and the answer supplied for that question doesn't quite fit (though ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Do waste water pipes for kitchens and bathrooms require a minimum slope to avoid clogging?
When I had a dishwasher installed, the plumber refused to install the waste water pipe horizontally, saying that this would get it to clog all the time. He left a roughly 1:10 slope on it. I thought ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
Why use a Thinner Water Pipe to Branch off From a Tee
Sorry if this question sound naive. Normally in water pipes, when we see another pipe branch off from a T-junction, that pipe is a thinner one. Say, a 3/4" pipe will branch off only a 1/2" pipe in a ...
4
votes
3answers
375 views
Are hot water returns worth putting in?
Once I saw on an episode of This Old House that they were putting in hot water return lines: pipes that recirculate idle hot water back to the heater so you get hot water right away, instead of ...
3
votes
1answer
107 views
How can I repair a sticking temperature gauge on heating valve?
The plumbing for my building heating system has temperature gauges on the outlet and inlet pipes. One of these gauges sticks - I can make it show the correct temperature by tapping the gauge quite ...
2
votes
1answer
436 views
Could water temperature fluctuations be caused by new plumbing?
I'm having a new bathroom installed. I hired a plumber to do all the water works. He ran all the lines; he is now waiting on sink and toilet to arrive to finish installation. Since he ran new line, we ...
5
votes
4answers
409 views
What accessories, aside from faucets, fit into sink faucet holes?
I'm going to replace an existing 3-hole faucet with a single hole faucet in my kitchen sink. I plan on installing a soap dispenser into one of the other holes, but that will still leave me with one ...
4
votes
3answers
168 views
How can I make these bath valves easier to use?
I'm looking for a way to make the valves in the pictures below easier for my mother to use. She has a bad case of arthritis in here hands, so this was suggested by a nurse.
I would really prefer any ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
What is causing my gas water heater to squeal?
I have a gas water heater. Starting yesterday, when the flame is on, the unit makes a squealing noise of moderate volume. The noise stops immediately when the flame turns off. This means it is not ...
5
votes
2answers
4k views
What size is an ice maker connection?
The ice maker line to my refrigerator currently has no shutoff valve and I'd like to add one but I can't figure out what size the connector is. I purchased a 1/4 inch valve since the ice maker ...
2
votes
1answer
256 views
When did it become illegal to use lead solder in residential plumbing?
I'm looking for a citation on when the requirements to use lead-free solder in residential plumbing took effect.
Why? On 06/09/2009 a local plumbing company re-plumbed the house I live in. Today we ...
2
votes
2answers
207 views
Do I Need New Kitchen Faucet Handles?
I just replaced faucet washers and after reassembly, the tap doesn't work. There is a crack in the handle. Is a replacement handle needed?
1
vote
1answer
324 views
Why won't the heat shut off in one zone?
we have a three zone baseboard hotwater furnace. a few months ago one zone would randomly stay on, we did change the thermostat we have not noticed the problem again, but in another zone we have the ...
2
votes
3answers
363 views
How can I fix my kitchen sink cheaply?
We live in a condo. Our kitchen sink will gurgle a lot. From time to time, there will be bubbles and even an overflow of bubbles and some sediment coming up from the kitchen drain. Someone has ...
6
votes
3answers
13k views
Why does this toilet clog so often?
My inlaws have one toilet in their house that regularly clogs. They have two more toilets that don't seem to clog at all. They live in a suburb with full plumbing (not a septic tank). The toilet isn't ...
9
votes
4answers
303 views
Removed sink, now what?
We've decided to replace the sink (which was way too small) with one from Ikea.
This is how it looks after the removal:
Now for the problems:
The sink that was there before was a free-hanging ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Does PEX leach BPA when used for hot water plumbing?
Would using PEX for potable hot water result in having Bisphenol A (BPA) leached into the water?
Does PEX have BPA content?
3
votes
1answer
930 views
How can I replace my main water shutoff valve?
I just recently purchased a house that was built in 1979 with galvanized plumbing. The water main just outside the house looks like this:
I'm planning to replace it, but I want to make sure it's ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
410 views
Can I grind a shallow channel in my basement concrete to correct the height of a shower drain pipe?
Long story short - the people who finished the basement bathroom did so without a permit, and they made full use of the fact that their work wasn't about to be inspected or subject to building codes. ...
3
votes
3answers
240 views
What options do I have for quick disconnects for copper/plumbing?
(Related to this question) but I think that may be too specific in that I already had an idea of how to solve the problem - perhaps the better way is to pose the problem and ask for the best ...
4
votes
1answer
474 views
How can I install a J-Trap for a bathroom sink with limited space?
Well, it was my first difficult handman project and I got this far...
Below is a photo of my installation right now. Every single diagram I've seen has the J-Trap facing down. Is there any way ...
1
vote
1answer
406 views
How do I find out if Air Admittance Valves (AAVs) are allowed in my municipality? [closed]
I saw Richard Trethewey of Ask This Old House install an AAV as part of a kitchen island sink system. I thought I might be able to use one for the water line for my washing machine. I'd like to ...
2
votes
2answers
921 views
How do I seal a cracked pipe using epoxy putty?
So, I have a broken pipe exactly on the L join on the wall. It's a huge crack but no big gap, just a curved crack along the pipe.
At first I thought of replacing the pipe, but it means that I have to ...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
How can I tell if these pipes are gas lines or water lines?
I recently moved into an in-law unit of a large old house. In the kitchen, there are two pipes coming out of the wall (one protruding out a little more than the other). I had assumed they were gas ...
