Dishwasher Smells Like Mildew? Check These Fixes Question: I just moved in, and my dishwasher smells like mildew. The dishwasher looks fairly new. The filter is clean. Also, when it is windy, my kitchen sink and shower smell a little. Do you have any suggestions? Answer: The smell may not be from the dishwasher itself.… Continue reading Dishwasher Smells Like Mildew? Check These Fixes
Month: May 2026
Burnham ES2 IQ Panel Bypass: Safe or Risky?
Burnham ES2 IQ Panel Bypass: Safe or Risky? A Burnham ES2 boiler can be a solid home heating system. But error codes can make any homeowner nervous. That is especially true when the boiler will not fire. One homeowner had a Burnham ES2 boiler with an IQ panel installed. No extra IQ options were being… Continue reading Burnham ES2 IQ Panel Bypass: Safe or Risky?
Hose Spigot Sputtered? What It Means
Hose Spigot Sputtered? What It Means Turning on an outdoor hose spigot should feel simple. You turn the handle left, water comes out, and the hose works. But sometimes, the first use feels strange. A homeowner moved into a new house about one year ago. They had not used the outside hose spigot yet. When… Continue reading Hose Spigot Sputtered? What It Means
Fix a Stripped American Valve Hydrant Screw
Fix a Stripped American Valve Hydrant Screw A stripped handle screw can make a good wall hydrant feel useless. This is common on older outdoor faucets. It is also frustrating when parts are hard to find. The question is simple. Did American Valve stop making wall hydrants? And can a stripped handle screw be repaired?… Continue reading Fix a Stripped American Valve Hydrant Screw
Stuck Sink P-Trap? Try This First
Stuck Sink P-Trap? Try This First A stuck sink P-trap can feel scary. You may remove both slip nuts and still see no movement. This often happens on the side that goes into the wall. That side connects to the trap arm. The trap arm slides into the wall drain fitting. Over time, grime can… Continue reading Stuck Sink P-Trap? Try This First
90 PSI Hose Bib? Your PRV May Be Failing
90 PSI Hose Bib? Your PRV May Be Failing Testing an exterior hose bib is a smart first step. A simple pressure gauge can show a hidden plumbing problem. In this case, the gauge showed 90 PSI. That reading is higher than many homes should run. High water pressure can stress pipes, valves, faucets, and… Continue reading 90 PSI Hose Bib? Your PRV May Be Failing
Rocks in Sewer Cleanout? Try This First
Rocks in Sewer Cleanout? Try This First Finding rocks inside a sewer cleanout is never a good surprise. A cleanout should give easy access to the sewer line. It should not be packed with jagged stones. If your 4-inch cleanout is full of rocks, do not rush into digging. There may be safer ways to… Continue reading Rocks in Sewer Cleanout? Try This First
Shower Fan Failed Inspection? Read This First
Shower Fan Failed Inspection? Read This First A bathroom remodel can pass one inspection and still hit a wall later. That is what happened with this shower fan and light setup. The bath fan and light were installed above a shower enclosure. The job passed rough inspection. It also passed the final plumbing inspection. The… Continue reading Shower Fan Failed Inspection? Read This First
Small Farm Irrigation Pipe Hookups Made Simple
Small Farm Irrigation Pipe Hookups Made Simple Small farms often need smart water systems. Large irrigation companies may focus on big farms. That can leave small landowners searching for clear answers. This is common when building a water pipeline for pasture irrigation. One common setup joins water from two wells. The wells may sit far… Continue reading Small Farm Irrigation Pipe Hookups Made Simple
Can You Cap an Abandoned Shower Drain?
Can You Cap an Abandoned Shower Drain? An abandoned shower drain can seem simple to close. You may see a 2-inch PVC standpipe and think a cap will fix it. In many cases, a glued PVC cap can stop odors and pests. But the best repair depends on where the cap is placed. A shower… Continue reading Can You Cap an Abandoned Shower Drain?