For questions about the supply and removal of water and liquid waste.
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?
28
votes
4answers
18k views
Why does my dishwasher back up into the sink, but running the disposal allows it to drain?
When my dishwasher runs the kitchen sink backs up. I have a two tub sink and only the side nearest the dishwasher with the garbage disposer backs up. Running the disposal for a few seconds causes the ...
23
votes
1answer
9k views
How do I fix a “water hammer” problem?
When I shut off a water faucet or right after the toilet tank refills after flushing, I hear a vibrating sound in my pipes. It last between one and two seconds.
On the interwebs, I found out that ...
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 ...
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 ...
15
votes
2answers
8k views
How do I fix a leaky toilet that only leaks from underneath?
I am noticing some water spots on my concrete in my (unfinished) basement. When I look up for the cause of the water I can see water dripping around the hole that is used for the sewer pipe for the ...
13
votes
4answers
625 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 ...
13
votes
7answers
4k views
Does Pex tubing have any advantages over copper?
What are the advantages/disadvantages of Pex tubing? How does it compare to copper?
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 ...
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 ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I replace this cast iron toilet flange?
I have a big old gawd awful cast iron (at least I think it's cast iron, the house was built in 1940) toilet flange that is in sorry shape.
See?
There will never be a better time to replace it - as ...
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 ...
11
votes
10answers
6k views
Why is my toilet constantly backing up?
I've been in my new house for a few months now, and I end up plunging one of our two toilets about once a week - they tend to swap turns on which one gets to be finicky each week. Is there a more ...
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 ...
11
votes
1answer
377 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 ...
10
votes
4answers
4k views
Safe way to close gaps around copper pipes?
I have baseboard heaters in my main living space. I can't see for sure without taking the covers off (which I haven't done yet) but it appears 2 copper pips come up from the basement (through the ...
10
votes
4answers
3k views
Do I need a vent for extending a drain to a new bathroom addition?
I am building a new full bathroom on what used to be my back porch. I am planning to extend the existing drain at a cleanout and to run it outside the house underneath the floor.
I need to know if I ...
10
votes
3answers
830 views
Are tankless water heaters worth it in cold climates?
I was thinking of switching over to a tankless water heater, but a friend of mine said they are not good in colder climates since the water coming in is colder and takes longer to heat. Is this a ...
10
votes
2answers
923 views
Why would you use copper over CPVC or PEX?
Are there any advantages to using copper rather than CPVC or PEX?
9
votes
5answers
6k views
Why does my shower switch keep burning out?
I have a Mira Shower 10.8 kW.
My switch is a 45A switch. I have a 50A fuse for the shower. The shower uses 10mm2 cable.
9 months ago the switch sparked and refused to turn off and the fuse ...
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 ...
9
votes
4answers
5k views
Why do my toilets flush slowly and often incompletely?
I have three toilets that all flush slowly and incompletely. I've adjusted the chain to ensure the flap raises completely. I've raised the float to ensure the tank fills nice and high. Yet I have this ...
9
votes
4answers
5k views
Can someone explain to me how this hot water recirculating system works?
How is my hot water recirculating system installed?
... and why is it not working like it should?
Moved into a house recently that was built in 2006. There is a hot water recirculating pump ...
9
votes
1answer
600 views
Can a toilet be moved 6 inch to the right?
I want to move my toilet over horizontally by 6 inches. Is there an "S" shape pipe piece I can use to connect my existing plumbing to my toilet?
Is there any other simple solution to getting this ...
8
votes
4answers
6k views
How much water do water softeners waste?
I'm considering buying a water softener, but I heard that they waste a lot of water, and I don't really want my water bill to skyrocket.
I haven't been able to find any clear indication of how much ...
8
votes
4answers
204 views
What is this and can it be used to stop the flow of water?
I have a leaky spigot that I am trying to fix.
I followed the water line back and found this.
Does anyone know what it is? Can it be used to stop the flow of water?
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 ...
8
votes
2answers
389 views
Why is the water pressure in my home clearly less than my neighbors?
I own a relatively new home (3 years old) in a new development. I have a PEX water system, which I love (as do all my neighbors).
So, I put out the "fan" sprinkler in my yard, and it shoots an ...
8
votes
2answers
3k views
How do I install a sink in a room that doesn't have a drain vent?
I want to install a sink in my attached garage where there is no existing plumbing. I will be running new water supply and drain pipes to mains behind a nearby wall. I'm concerned I will need a ...
8
votes
3answers
973 views
What is this thing next to my sink? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is this component that connects to the garbage disposal?
As I mentioned in a previous post, I recently moved to a new place and I'm still trying to figure out what ...
8
votes
1answer
4k views
Why can't SharkBite plumbing connectors be sold in CA and VT?
I've spent the last couple of weeks replacing my copper hydronic heat in the house. I'm now a convert to PEX and SharkBite connectors.
I had to run out tonight to Home Depot to pick up one more ...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I verify where the pipes in my basement go?
In the photos below, I have 3 pipes coming up out of the ground in my basement. One is about 4" (sewer?), the other 2 are 2" (gray water?). Then there are a few coming out of the ceiling (vents?), all ...
8
votes
1answer
295 views
How can I stop a running toilet?
I have a really weird issue: my toilet is running water, but it's not in the tank. It seems like there's a neverending small flow of water entering the bowl of the toilet from the left side of the ...
8
votes
2answers
3k views
Why do I have blue water coming out of the faucets?
We have an upstairs bathroom that we've gutted and are having some contractors remodel. The toilet is the only thing that hasn't been touched. We had a plumber come and redo all of the source and ...
8
votes
2answers
494 views
Why does my toilet's seal wear out so fast?
The toilet in our only bathroom seems to go through drain seal about once a year. The flange on the drain line is old, and broken in several places, but we're able to keep everything firmly in-place ...
8
votes
1answer
238 views
Can I reduce or eliminate water hammer without plumbing?
I have a friend who lives in an apartment with terrible water hammer problems which the management is unwilling to fix.
I'm curious if there is a product or device that would attach, for instance, to ...
8
votes
3answers
906 views
Why is sewage backing up from this outdoor pipe?
I just recently moved into my first house this morning and when I went outside I noticed this:
What happened? What should I do? I have no idea what that pipe even is. I don't believe there is a ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I reseal a shower drain on a pre-formed shower base?
The shower drain in my first-floor bathroom leaks. Based on looking from the basement below, it seems the leak is at the point where the drain assembly should clamp to the shower base (which is ...
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?
7
votes
3answers
285 views
Does PEX require home runs?
I've been told that PEX requires home runs to a manifold (or star topology, to borrow from networking) to maintain the same flow rate/pressure as copper. Anyone else heard this?
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Can teflon tape be used on a threaded joint behind a wall?
I'm remodeling my bathroom. Last night I took the cement board off the wall where the pipes run for the shower. One of the pipes that carries water to the shower was corroded. Upon further inspection, ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Are SharkBite plumbing connectors as reliable as soldered connectors?
Are SharkBite plumbing connectors as reliable as soldered connectors?
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?
...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
How proud can a toilet flange sit above the floor?
Related to How do I replace this cast iron toilet flange?
I've removed the cast iron and am dry fitting the replacement parts. I used a 4" - 3" reducing coupling, 3" pvc and a 3" 90 to line up where ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
New Vanity: Sink Won't Drain Completely
My wife and I just replaced the vanity in our bathroom. To fit the new sink, we had to cut some new PVC. Here's a picture.
All the plumbing works, without leaks, except that it will not drain ...
7
votes
3answers
378 views
How can I take apart this leaking outdoor faucet?
I have looked up how to take apart a leaky outdoor faucet. Unfortunately it looks like my faucet does not match the videos/pics I have seen.
Most videos show removing the knob, removing the nut which ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Handheld showerhead backflow preventer
Every year my rental house is inspected by the city. Last time the inspector told me to add a backflow preventer (one-way check valve) to the handheld showerhead in the bathroom. The showerhead is ...
7
votes
3answers
318 views
What could be causing a urine smell in our bathrooms?
I live in a home built in 2006. We are a clean family and have no pets. In ALL three of our bathrooms I am smelling an odor of "old urine". I do have a 3-year-old son so at first I thought he was ...
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 ...
6
votes
9answers
997 views
How do I sweat pipes in an enclosed area?
I need to repair a leak in the plumbing behind my shower. There is an access panel, and enough room for myself and my torch, but not much else.
How do I apply the flame to the fittings (for the ...
