Identify & Fix Your Old GROHE Shower Valve(plumbing101.i234.me) — A GROHE valve that’s wobbly and hard to turn usually needs a new cartridge, not a full replacement. The challenge is figuring out which cartridge you own, especially on older installs with no local shutoffs. Here’s a clear plan to identify parts and rebuild safely. Q:… Continue reading Identify & Fix Your Old GROHE Shower Valve
Month: October 2025
Identify and Fix a Leaking Toilet Stop Valve
Identify and Fix a Leaking Toilet Stop Valve(plumbing101.i234.me) — Discovering a leak from your toilet’s shut-off valve can be stressful, especially on an upper floor where water can damage ceilings below. Here’s how to identify the type of valve you have, select the right gasket, and stop the leak safely. Q: How do I tell… Continue reading Identify and Fix a Leaking Toilet Stop Valve
Why Your Basement Toilet Gurgles When You Use the Sink
Why Your Basement Toilet Gurgles When You Use the Sink(plumbing101.i234.me) — It’s one of those strange plumbing mysteries: you unclog the kitchen sink upstairs, and months later the basement toilet starts gurgling again. Then, when you fix the toilet, the kitchen sink backs up. If this sounds familiar, your fixtures are probably sharing a common… Continue reading Why Your Basement Toilet Gurgles When You Use the Sink
Why Your Kitchen Sink Keeps Backing Up
Why Your Kitchen Sink Keeps Backing Up(plumbing101.i234.me) — Few things test your patience like a kitchen sink that refuses to drain. You’ve tried Drano, augers, even a sewer jetter, but the water still backs up into the other sink. If this sounds familiar, here’s what might really be going on and how to fix it… Continue reading Why Your Kitchen Sink Keeps Backing Up
What Causes PVC Drain Pipes to Suddenly Burst?
What Causes PVC Drain Pipes to Suddenly Burst?(plumbing101.i234.me) — Walking into your basement and finding a small lake under a broken PVC pipe is every homeowner’s nightmare. The good news? You can fix it — but it’s important to understand what caused it before you glue up a quick patch. Here’s what might have happened… Continue reading What Causes PVC Drain Pipes to Suddenly Burst?
Is It Safe to Add a Valve to a Leaky Shower Hose?
Is It Safe to Add a Valve to a Leaky Shower Hose? (plumbing101.i234.me) — There comes a time when an older shower fixture starts leaking, but a full replacement just isn’t in the budget. Some homeowners consider installing a small shut-off valve at the shower hose connection as a quick fix. But is that really… Continue reading Is It Safe to Add a Valve to a Leaky Shower Hose?
Adapting Chinese Plumbing to North American Sizes
Adapting Chinese Plumbing to North American Sizes(plumbing101.i234.me) — Helping with the plumbing in a prefabricated or tiny home from China can quickly get confusing. Chinese plumbing systems often use metric-sized pipe, which does not directly match U.S. or Canadian standard (imperial) fittings. Here’s what’s going on and how to make it work safely. Q: Why… Continue reading Adapting Chinese Plumbing to North American Sizes
Why Your Bidet Leaks from the Rim When Off
Why Your Bidet Leaks from the Rim When Off(plumbing101.i234.me) — A slow drip or leak from the rim of a bidet after turning off the center control valve can be confusing. Many older American Standard floor-mount bidets have this setup, with hot and cold handles feeding a center diverter valve that directs flow either to… Continue reading Why Your Bidet Leaks from the Rim When Off
Can You Use Grey PVC for Irrigation Lines?
Can You Use Grey PVC for Irrigation Lines?(plumbing101.i234.me) — If you’re dealing with leaking Rain Bird 100DAS valves and thinking about switching to grey PVC, you’re not alone. Many homeowners prefer the look of grey pipe and want to know if it works with standard white PVC. Let’s answer your key questions. Q: Can grey… Continue reading Can You Use Grey PVC for Irrigation Lines?
Prevent Fridge Water Lines from Freezing
Prevent Fridge Water Lines from Freezing(plumbing101.i234.me) — Homeowners in Texas often face a tricky problem when older homes with copper plumbing experience brief cold snaps. Even without harsh winters, those attic water lines can still freeze, cutting off water and ice to your refrigerator. Q: Why does my fridge water line freeze even in Texas?… Continue reading Prevent Fridge Water Lines from Freezing