For questions about the supply and removal of water and liquid waste.
1
vote
2answers
25 views
What could cause an under-sink reverse osmosis filter to have low pressure?
The previous homeowner put in a GE SmartWater reverse osmosis filter under the sink, which is attached to the cold water. It was experiencing low pressure (the sink-top valve would spurt water for ...
1
vote
2answers
43 views
What is involved in replacing leaking iron drain pipes in a house with a concrete foundation?
I noticed cracks in the walls getting larger and called someone to check on the foundation. The foundation is fine (it's previously been repaired) but the center of the house is sinking. I plugged the ...
1
vote
1answer
17 views
Can we install an aeration unit in an older septic system?
Our home was built in 1957. We have had problems for years with having a wet drain field and keep having our septic pumped. Today (of course my husband is away), I have done a couple of loads of ...
1
vote
2answers
54 views
Why does wand shower head drain at unusual times?
We recently moved from using a stationary shower head to a new version that has a wand. While I love the new one we have noticed that the wand shower head will release water at random times.
For ...
-1
votes
0answers
31 views
Where to get oversized Trip Lever assembly? [closed]
Example
I need a 3.5 inch trip lever to replace old one. I have looked at local big boxes and online and they are all around 3 inches. I even ordered one on amazon and it said it was 3.5 but was ...
12
votes
5answers
2k views
Why does the shower get cold when I flush, and how can I prevent it?
When the shower is running and someone flushes a toilet, why does the shower get cold (or sometimes hot) in some houses, but not others?
More importantly, would fixing that require replacing the ...
1
vote
1answer
57 views
Is it normal for water to drip from a shower head for a bit after a shower?
Water drips from new large shower head for a while after shutoff. Is that normal?
0
votes
1answer
67 views
How can I find a replacement external tub drain if the original has no identifiable markings?
We are rebuilding a bathroom in a house in Long Island, New York. We would like to replace this external tub drain with the same. It has no identifiable markings. We need the make or model, or even ...
2
votes
1answer
125 views
How can you tell when a vacuum breaker needs to be replaced?
The one in the master bath just started "leaking" recently and now my daughter reports the same problem in her bath. Is this just a part of their normal function or do they need to be replaced or ...
3
votes
1answer
83 views
What kind of pipe insulation is appropriate for sun exposure?
I want to insulate a water line outdoors, where it will be exposed to sun. I expect that UV light will damage many foam pipe insulations over time.
Is there a type of insulation that will tolerate ...
2
votes
1answer
98 views
Why is my electric water heater making an intermittent groaning noise?
My 8 year old electric water heater started to make a strange rattling noise a couple of weeks ago. The noise happens at random and lasts for only a few minutes. Short bursts of noise about a minute ...
2
votes
1answer
57 views
What are my options for installing a water softener on the opposite side of the house from the main water supply?
Background Info
My main water supply on my home is located on the east wall of the home, whereas my garage is located on the west side of the home. There is no water softener loop in the home, and in ...
1
vote
4answers
65 views
How do I clear a drain pipe clogged with dried soap?
I think we have a clog of dried soap in our pipes, past the U-bend and down the pipes from upstairs to the drain at ground level.
How do I clear them?
2
votes
1answer
89 views
Can a lack of oxygen cause septic tank deterioration?
After 2 years I had my 8 year old septic tank pumped out for the second time. When we looked inside we found that the area above the outlet had concrete deterioration. Whatever happened ate through ...
4
votes
2answers
168 views
How can I join two lengths of flexible 1/4" copper pipe?
I have found a leak coming from under my refrigerator, after pulling it out to get behind it I found the 1/4" copper pipe that supplies the water for the ice maker and water in the door was severed ...
2
votes
2answers
391 views
How do I remove the sink drain in this situation?
I am replacing the faucets/drain in one of my bathrooms. I am trying to remove the drain, but I'm having a lot of trouble. I think it might be soldered on, but I'm not sure why it would be. What's the ...
2
votes
2answers
63 views
What could be causing low pressure in my new faucet?
My dad recently bought a new faucet (Moen 87690SRS) and installed it fine. I was home visiting, and he asked me to look at it because the pressure is really low compared to the old faucet. He said he ...
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
138 views
What is the function of a check valve on the inlet of a household macerator pump?
Macerators sometimes require check valves on the inlet for shower waste. I'm thinking the low rate of flow from a shower might not be enough to trigger macerators activated by air switches, so the ...
0
votes
1answer
51 views
How can I connect a portable dishwasher to laundry hookups?
I just moved into new duplex that has a decent sized laundry room. During my move I brought my portable compact dishwasher (very similar to this one). I don't have counter-top space to position the ...
2
votes
1answer
32 views
Do I add calcite or magnesium first to my new acid neutralizer?
So I am replacing a smaller acid neutralizer with a larger one. Bought it at the local water store, had a nice chat with Wolfgang. He loaded 3 bags of calcite and one box of Magnesium mix. He told ...
0
votes
1answer
773 views
How to fix a falling handle on a Price-Pfister single handled faucet
I have a Price-Pfister 533 Genesis single handled kitchen faucet that turns itself off. It is impossible to run water at a low volume because the moment your hand is off the handle it shuts off.
...
3
votes
1answer
67 views
How do I keep water from getting in and out of a dishwasher drain air gap?
I have no idea what this is called, so I apologize for the vague title. If someone knows what it is, feel free to edit it.
When I turned on my dishwasher (just moved in), water started spewing from ...
0
votes
2answers
168 views
How do I install a water line for a refrigerator in a galley kitchen?
My sink is on one side of my galley kitchen and the fridge is on the other. The living room doorway is between the water line to the sink and the fridge. The house sits on a slab so there is no ...
5
votes
3answers
136 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
156 views
How can I replace the bleed plug for my towel rail?
I have a very similar type of radiator as this:
However doing a bathroom refit, I have somehow lost the radiator bleed plug which is shown in the picture above. So if I turn the radiator on, it ...
0
votes
2answers
274 views
What could be causing water to drip from the relief valve of my new gas water heater, again?
I installed a brand new water heater about 4 months ago, noticed that that relief valve was dripping like crazy. Checked the expansion tank and it was filled with water. I replaced it with a brand ...
2
votes
3answers
90 views
Should galvanized steel pipe be used as a tub spout?
I have a 90 degree fitting coming down from my shower valve. Also have a screw on tub spout trim. Right now there is a 6" galvanized pipe that connects the 90 to the tub spout trim. Is the ...
2
votes
2answers
114 views
Are flexible PVC couplings rated for direct burial?
I need to repair a severed 1 1/2" PVC drain line.
I have a Fernco flexible PVC coupling laying around, and I figured it will be much easier to use the flexible coupling instead of a rigid ...
1
vote
1answer
108 views
How can I identify my bathroom tub faucet pressure valve?
I am looking for a replacement trim valve kit and I am having trouble finding the right one that will fit my current pressure valve. It appears to me to be a model from American Standard.
Click ...
2
votes
1answer
123 views
How do I calculate the takeoff for a 45 degree elbow joint?
I'm trying to install a 45° elbow joint in PVC. I've found several suggestions online, but frankly, they are incomprehensible to me and seem contradictory of one another:
...
0
votes
3answers
296 views
Why is the water pressure so high from my overhead water tank?
We have recently rented a house and it has normal taps fitte, and a normal
overhead water tank, but the water pressure is very high. The water comes out
with so much pressure, that if I am trying to ...
5
votes
4answers
157 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
111 views
Can/Should I Move These Pipes?
I need to fix a broken ball valve (luckily the valve doesn't leak until I turn it on) that runs to an outside faucet. Also, all of these pipes are CPVC.
When I looked at replacing it, they seemed to ...
-1
votes
0answers
33 views
Should I use a separate pump for my solar pool heating system?
I just got the solar panels and have an extra pump. Instead of messing with all the PVC on the filter, I was just going to use a separate pump and put hoses in the pool. Figure run it while at work ...
2
votes
1answer
243 views
Is a water pressure booster pump with an induction motor suitable for kitchen tap use?
The water pressure in my kitchen is too low to achieve a reasonable flow rate through the kitchen tap. For many years I have fitted a series of booster pumps which are activated when water is flowing ...
16
votes
11answers
2k views
What should we look for when buying a fixer-upper house?
My fiance and I are considering buying a fixer-upper house rather than an apartment when we get married.
Obviously things like location, neighbors etc. are important, but; what should we be looking ...
7
votes
4answers
8k views
How do I “fix” a bad sweat (solder) joint?
I tried soldering some 1/2" copper (to make something like this) and some of my joints are horrible.
I tested it with water and some of the joints leak.
What is the best way to fix the joints?
...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
329 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 ...
0
votes
3answers
855 views
How do I pressure test a natural gas line and what do the valve pressure ratings mean?
I'm planning to add an appliance to my house, and will want to do a pressure test of the newly installed gas lines. My main shutoff says 175 PSI, but most of the appliance valves say either 1/2 or 5 ...
2
votes
1answer
161 views
How do I diagnose and fix a toilet blockage
I have a toilet that makes a gurgling noise IF it flushes down. However, at times it will fill up when I flush the toilet and I will see something come up from the bathroom drain. I have tried putting ...
4
votes
2answers
177 views
Does polybutylene plumbing require lower pressure?
I've just purchased a new home (new to me; the house was built in 1994), and I've noticed that the water pressure is pretty low. Not low enough to be a serious impediment (it passed inspection), but ...
3
votes
2answers
109 views
Why isn't there hot water in the shower, when there is hot water in the rest of the condo?
I moved into a condo two days ago, and found that while the rest of the plumbing in the house has hot water, the shower when turned to hot just has a cool trickle emanating from the tap. The cold ...
4
votes
2answers
189 views
How can I replace this unusual kitchen sink drain pipe?
I'm trying to replace a broken 1-1/2 inch L-shaped brass pipe under my kitchen sink, as in this picture:
At one end, it's connected to the sink drain, which if I'm understanding the terminology ...
0
votes
1answer
157 views
What is the name for this round metal drain cover?
Rainwater drains from an acre uphill from us into an underground system that has been in place for 50 years. It works fine, except that the 16-inch round metal cover for the drain has rusted through. ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
Why is it taking so long for my house to heat up?
Firstly, I should probably mention that I'm in the UK...
My wife and I bought a house new from a builder over 9 years ago and have had no problems whatsoever with our central heating system in that ...
2
votes
2answers
88 views
How do I fix this leaking tub faucet?
I have an old tub/shower with 3 handles in it (hot/cold/shower on) that are all twist knobs. The hot or cold can not fully disengage because they are a bit older and have some sediment built up in ...
0
votes
2answers
127 views
Plastic or metal pipes? what do you recommend? [closed]
I need to install piping for hot and cold water, do you suggest plastic or metal pipes?
-1
votes
1answer
135 views
Why is it that every DIY plumbing job requires two extra trips to the hardware store? [closed]
You plan. You measure. You re-measure. You plan some more.
You write it all down.
You go to the hardware store and buy EVERYTHING you could possibly need, plus extra.
You come home, you go to ...
