Plumbing: Tips and Articles
Tips by Real-Estate-Agents.com
Articles and tips about plumbing and dealing with plumbers, of interest to home owners. Plumbing isn't glamorous but we can't live without it!
- Tankless Water Heaters Can Increase Your Home's Value
Tankless water heaters use 20% less energy than conventional water heaters and only heat the water when you need it. Controls allow the water temperature to be changed instantly, as desired by the user. While tankless water heaters cost more up front than conventional tank water heaters, they will cost less to run than conventional water heaters in the long term. As well as using energy more efficiently, they can often last two times the life of a conventional tank.
- Read more: Tankless Water Heaters Can Increase Your Home's Value ...
- Install a Home Sauna
The sauna is most often identified with Finland, where the hot, steamy and relaxing ritual originated. The bathing practice is believed to be good for the circulation and for opening the pores for a deep cleansing.
- Read more: Install a Home Sauna ...
- Water Treatment Systems: The Importance of Clean Water
In recent years, some home drinking water has been found to contain many hazards that standard municipal water treatment procedures don't remove. To eradicate some of the chemicals and toxins that can find their way into drinking water, some homeowners install water treatment devices.
- Read more: Water Treatment Systems: The Importance of Clean Water ...
- Water Heater Not Working
Q: Our water heater is only giving us cold water. My husband has worked with the pipes under the house and even tried using a hair dryer. What else should we do?
- Read more: Water Heater Not Working ...
- Water Heater Basics
A water heater converts energy to heat and transfers that warmth to water. It's connected to a cold water supply pipe and has an outgoing hot water pipe, or system of pipes, that supplies heated water to one or more taps and appliances.
- Read more: Water Heater Basics ...
- Water Damage
Q: There are water marks in the ceiling of our family room, which is directly under a bathroom. Which type of handyman should I call to work the problem - a plumber or a carpenter?
- Read more: Water Damage ...
- Waiting for the Plumber
Q: What kinds of plumbing emergencies could occur that a homeowner should know about? What should we do while waiting for the plumber?
- Read more: Waiting for the Plumber ...
- Understanding Plumbing Systems
If you've ever lived without plumbing, even for a weekend camping trip, you can appreciate how important it has become to modern living. Drinking water, baths, showers, toilets, dishwashers, clothes washers, gardens -- none of these are possible, or at least practical, without plumbing systems.
- Read more: Understanding Plumbing Systems ...
- Toilet Installation Over Hardwood
Q: I recently installed hardwood floors in my house. In the process I had to remove a toilet. What do I need to do now that the toilet flange is now 3/4" below the surface of the new wood floor?
- Read more: Toilet Installation Over Hardwood ...
- Tips: Saving Money on Plumbing
Sooner or later, we all have to call a plumber and plumbers can be expensive. There's just no way around that. However, there are a variety of ways to improve the value you get for your money. Many people make the mistake of shopping for plumbing primarily based on the plumber's hourly rate. This can be misleading. It's better to look at overall customer satisfaction, even if rates are higher than average.
- Read more: Tips: Saving Money on Plumbing ...
- The Basics of Sump Pumps
This information can clarify and help answer some questions about sump pumps.
- Read more: The Basics of Sump Pumps ...
- Sump Pump Smell
Q: I have a smell in my basement that is coming from the sump pump pit.
- Read more: Sump Pump Smell ...
- Shower Valve Problems
Q: I have a problem with hot water in the shower. The hot water comes on quickly. It seems the hot water starts to shut itself off after about three minutes. I have changed the faucets from the pipes without any results. Only the shower seems to be affected. What is my problem?
- Read more: Shower Valve Problems ...
- Sump Pump Installation
Where gravity drainage is impossible or impaired, a sump pump may be used to raise the water to a level where it can be carried off through a drain line. This type of pump is a small, simple, compact unit installed in a sump, or pit, at the low corner or other wet spot in the basement.
- Read more: Sump Pump Installation ...
- Shower Leaking Into Basement
Q: When showering, water leaks to our basement. We have part of the ceiling open because of an attempt to find it several years ago. No plumbers have been here. We use a bucket to catch the water. Also if you take a bath and the water goes in to the overflow drain then it leaks in another area of the basement. It is not possible for a home project but maybe you could enlighten me on what to look for when finding a plumber so this does not become a quite expensive repair if necessary.
- Read more: Shower Leaking Into Basement ...
- Shower Handles Too Tight
Q: The shower handles in our 24-year-old home are getting harder and harder to pull out to turn the water on! What should we do?
- Read more: Shower Handles Too Tight ...
- Should You Repair or Replace Your Water Heater?
Common water heater problems
If you suddenly don't have hot water, there are several things that could have happened.
- Read more: Should You Repair or Replace Your Water Heater? ...
- Sewer Gas Odor
Q: I have a two-year-old two-storey home. My master bath has a dual vanity and there is a sewer gas odor coming from one of the sinks. I checked under the sink and there is a trap so water should block the gas odor.
My concern is a high repair bill if my builder says it is out of the one-year warranty. Any suggestions?
- Read more: Sewer Gas Odor ...
- Sewer Gas: Noxious Smell
Q: In the last few days, a terrible odor has developed in our powder room. A neighbor suggested that maybe gases are leaking into the room from a pipe.
- Read more: Sewer Gas: Noxious Smell ...
- Septic Tank Alarm
Q: I have an eight month old house with a septic system with an electric alarm. What would cause the alarm to go off? There is no indication of blockage but we have received 4 inches of rain in 24 hours.
- Read more: Septic Tank Alarm ...
- Septic Systems: The Basics
Septic systems are "holding tanks" placed underground outside your home, where your waste sewage is broken down by bacteria. It pays to take care of your septic tank. When maintained improperly, the necessary bacteria in the system can be destroyed, causing the biological machine to shut down. Then, sludge builds up and is pushed into the drainfield, where it clogs up the system. Before you know it, you have a sewage backup and a major headache.
- Read more: Septic Systems: The Basics ...
- Relocating Washing Machine
Q: We would like to move our washing machine to the basement. I am concerned about the waste water plumbing due to the sewer line location and height. The sewer line is about seven feet above the basement floor and about 20 feet away from the planned location.
- Read more: Relocating Washing Machine ...
- Remove Rust from Water
Q: Does a water softener remove rust from the water? If not, how should this be done?
- Read more: Remove Rust from Water ...
- Plumbing: Low Water Pressure
Q: Our older toilet has very low water pressure. Can we fix this problem ourselves?
- Read more: Plumbing: Low Water Pressure ...
- Plumbing Terms: Glossary
Before replacing a plumbing fixture, use these definitions to help clarify plumbing fixture terminology.
- Read more: Plumbing Terms: Glossary ...
- Plumbing Remodeling Ideas
This information can clarify and help answer some questions about plumbing projects.
- Read more: Plumbing Remodeling Ideas ...
- Low Water Pressure
Q: Why has my low-flow faucet suddenly lost water pressure?
A: First, make sure that the shut-off valve under the sink is all the way on.
- Read more: Low Water Pressure ...
- Loss of Water Pressure
Q: My husband fixed a leak on my kitchen faucet and as a result, I lost half of my water pressure. He says there is nothing restricting the flow, and that he is ultimately not responsible for this, directly or indirectly.
It is a single handled Blanco faucet and the head of the faucet is attached to a hose which can be pulled out.
- Read more: Loss of Water Pressure ...
- Leaking Bathtub
Q: My bathtub is leaking. We pulled the faucet but could not fix the leak. Is there a washer somewhere? What do you suggest?
- Read more: Leaking Bathtub ...
- Install or Repair Backflow Valves
Be sure and check with local officials about what kinds of backflow valves can be used in your area. There are many different kinds of backflow valves, including an atmospheric vacuum breaker, a cheaper valve installed on the pipe right after the control valve. It needs to be installed higher than the highest sprinkler head operated by that valve-check with local officials to find out if there's a code. You probably need to use this kind if you have six or more valves.
- Read more: Install or Repair Backflow Valves ...
- How to Hire a Plumber
Sooner or later we all need to call a plumber. A plumber is expensive and there's no way around that. But there are a variety of ways to get the most value for your money. This guide will highlight the most effective ways to save money on plumbing.
- Read more: How to Hire a Plumber ...
- Install a Sump Pump
Do you have a basement that, during a heavy rain, looks more like a swimming pool? Basement flooding is a common problem, particularly in houses situated on flat terrain where rain and snow melt have little chance for runoff. When the ground becomes saturated, ground water pressure builds, forcing water towards any path of little resistance. If the water finds cracks and fissures in your foundation walls or floors, it seeps in to fill the "pool" -- your basement.
- Read more: Install a Sump Pump ...
- Hot Water Dispensers: Problems
Hot water dispensers normally keep on working without any sort of routine maintenance. If you're having a problem with your unit, consult the owner's manual, or hire a service professional to help identify and solve the problem.
- Read more: Hot Water Dispensers: Problems ...
- Hot Water Problems
Q: When I turn on any cold water faucet in my home, I frequently get hot water instead. After about 30 seconds, the water runs cold again.
Rather than the standard hot water heater in most homes, my home uses a boiler and a heat exchanger.
- Read more: Hot Water Problems ...
- Hot Water Dispensers
An instant hot water dispenser system provides steaming hot water in seconds.
Most hot water dispensers are installed under your sink and connected to the cold water line. When you press the lever, cold water enters the bottom of the tank, is heated, and forced out the spout.
- Read more: Hot Water Dispensers ...
- Hot Tub Repair
Routine examinations and changing filters will help ward off a lot of potential hot tub problems but in case you don't, here are some common hot tub problems.
- Read more: Hot Tub Repair ...
- Frozen Pipes
Q: Recently the weather dropped below freezing for a few days. When we came home from work, we noticed we had no water coming from our kitchen sink. I checked all other faucets, and they are fine. Is there a way to thaw the pipes without having to tear into the wall?
- Read more: Frozen Pipes ...
- Hole in Sewer Pipe
Q: My outside sewer line has a hole in the pipe. For the last ten years I have had the pipe snaked to clear the root obstruction. I need a permanent solution. What is my next step?
- Read more: Hole in Sewer Pipe ...
- Find a Water Treatment Service
Water
In general, tap water in North America is perfectly safe for human consumption. However, sometimes you may notice a funny color, odor or taste. These often come from otherwise harmless contaminants like chlorine, sulfur, iron and manganese. You can get rid of these problems easily by using a conventional activated carbon filter, available at many retail stores and even supermarkets.
- Read more: Find a Water Treatment Service ...
- Faucet Noise
Q: I put in new plumbing for a new tub in a remodel and every time I turn on both faucets, they make a loud noise (like air in the line or something), but when I only turn on one faucet, it doesn't happen. What could be the cause?
- Read more: Faucet Noise ...
- Estimating Hot Water Needs: Water Heater Size
In general, your hot water needs can be measured by the number of bathrooms in your house. The smallest size unit for a one-bathroom house should be 30 or 40 gallons, in either gas or electric. For a 1 1/2-bath house, 40 gallons is minimum. For a 2- to 3 1/2-bath house, choose a 50-gallon gas heater or a 66- to 80-gallon electric one.
- Read more: Estimating Hot Water Needs: Water Heater Size ...
- Drain Clearing Service
The main sewer line out of your home is an extension of your main stack line inside the house. It leaves near the foundation and connects to the municipal sewer line near the street or into a septic system. When water backs up onto a basement floor, there is either a clog in the sewer service line, floor drain line or drain trap. Your service professional can determine where the clog is.
- Read more: Drain Clearing Service ...
- Cleaning Out a Sewer
The main sewer line out of your home is an extension of your main stack line inside the house. It leaves near the foundation and connects up to the municipal sewer line near the street or into a septic system. When water backs up onto a basement floor, there is either a clog in the sewer service line, floor drain line or drain trap.
- Read more: Cleaning Out a Sewer ...
- Custom Hot Tubs
Comfortable molded plastic spas in soft hues that accommodate any climate and decor have replaced the old wooden hot tubs of the 1960s. Hot tubs, which require adequate support and access to electrical power, now have bubbles, lounge chairs, cup holders, jets galore and more.
- Read more: Custom Hot Tubs ...
- Cleaning a Septic System
Common septic system problems
A septic system is a self-contained water recycling system. Located underground in the yard, a water-tight tank receives and stores wastes from the house. Bacteria in the tank decompose the wastes; sludge settles in the tank and effluent flows into the ground through a drain system. It eventually filters back down to groundwater sources.
- Read more: Cleaning a Septic System ...
- Checklist: When Hiring a Plumber
Plumbers can be very expensive, however, there are several ways to get the most value for your money. The following tips can help you save money on your next plumbing repair:
- Read more: Checklist: When Hiring a Plumber ...
- Antique Pedestal Sink
Q: I purchased an antique pedestal sink from an antique dealer in Maine. It has an integral faucet-where there is no actual faucet, the water comes out from a bump in the bowl of the sink. According to my builder, the gaskets are rotted, and when he tries to hook it up, everything leaks. Is it possible to repair this type of sink?
- Read more: Antique Pedestal Sink ...
- Repair or Maintain Landscape Sprinkler Systems
This information can clarify and help answer some questions about landscape sprinkler systems.
- Read more: Repair or Maintain Landscape Sprinkler Systems ...
- Buying Your Own Parts
When homeowners need to hire a professional to come make a home repair, they often think they can save money by buying the supplies themselves and paying the professional to do the installation. However, because professional contractors cannot warrant products they do not supply themselves, it can often cost the homeowner more if there is a problem with the part.
- Read more: Buying Your Own Parts ...
- Add a Hot Tub to Your Deck
Adding a deck to the exterior of your home can expand your living space during the warmer months, but if you add a spa or hot tub, you can use your new deck year round! You can enjoy sitting outside under the stars on cool evenings and soak sore muscles after playing hard on weekends.
- Read more: Add a Hot Tub to Your Deck ...
- Hot Tub / Spa Basics
This information can clarify and help answer some questions about hot tubs and spas.
- Read more: Hot Tub / Spa Basics ...
- Common Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures
This information can clarify and help answer some questions about bathroom plumbing fixtures.
- Read more: Common Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures ...
- Bathroom Repairs: Stubborn Faucet Handle
Q: I have a leak in my bathtub. I attempted to change the stem but cannot remove the handle of the faucet. I am afraid to force it and break a pipe inside. What can I do to loosen the handle?
- Read more: Bathroom Repairs: Stubborn Faucet Handle ...
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