A smelly basement can start with one small floor drain. In many Brooklyn rowhouses, an areaway sits outside the basement door. This sunken space often has stairs leading down from the yard. At the bottom, there may be a floor drain. That drain helps move rainwater away during storms. But it can also let sewer… Continue reading Basement Drain Smell? Fix It Before It Spreads
Month: May 2026
Stuck Sink Drain Pipe? Try This First
Question I was removing my sink trap to clean it. While doing that, I broke the pipe at the bottom of the drain assembly. Now I need to replace the drain assembly. The big nut at the bottom is loose. But the drain pipe will not break free. I have tried pushing it. I have… Continue reading Stuck Sink Drain Pipe? Try This First
Frozen Tub Stopper? Fix It Before Replacing
Question My lever-actuated bathtub drain stopper is frozen in the open position. The cover has a “K,” so I think it may be Kohler. The drain was replaced over 20 years ago. I no longer have the paperwork. Before I spend $145 on a new drain assembly, can I clean it? Also, what brand should… Continue reading Frozen Tub Stopper? Fix It Before Replacing
Why Well Water Stops for a Few Seconds
A private well should give steady water during normal use. So, a short water stop can feel strange. One homeowner asked this common well question. Question I have a well and a water supply problem. When I turn on any faucet, the water runs for two or three minutes. Then it shuts off for four… Continue reading Why Well Water Stops for a Few Seconds
Wobbly Kohler Toilet? Check the Base First
A new toilet should sit flat before final installation. If it rocks before the wax ring is crushed, stop and check the base. You bought two Kohler Elliston toilets. One has support ribs and a horn about 1/8 inch higher than the rim. That can cause a small wobble on the floor. The toilet horn… Continue reading Wobbly Kohler Toilet? Check the Base First
Is an Abandoned Gas Line Safe in a Wall?
Old gas lines can make any homeowner nervous. That worry makes sense when the pipe runs inside a wall. In this case, the gas line enters an upstairs exterior wall corner. It runs about 10 feet through the wall. Then it has a tee with a short stub going outside. After that, it continues another… Continue reading Is an Abandoned Gas Line Safe in a Wall?
Old Cast Iron Hub Leak Returns After 35 Years
Some plumbing problems never fully go away. They may stay quiet for decades. Then one day, a soft floor or stained wall brings them back. That seems to be the case in this old 1910 home. The owners bought the house nearly 40 years ago. A few years later, they gutted the upstairs bathroom. During… Continue reading Old Cast Iron Hub Leak Returns After 35 Years
Are ProPress Fittings Replacing Sweat Copper?
Older copper pipes can last a long time. Still, a 50-year-old copper line can start to fail. One common warning sign is a pinhole leak. A small leak may look simple at first. But it can point to a bigger pipe problem. That is especially true when the pipe is hidden above drywall. In this… Continue reading Are ProPress Fittings Replacing Sweat Copper?
Yellow PEX Pipes: Normal or Trouble?
PEX pipe is common in many homes today. It is flexible, easy to run, and often cheaper than copper. But color changes can make homeowners worry. One homeowner noticed yellow spots on a two-year-old PEX pipe. The pipe was under a bathroom sink. Other pipes in a hot attic had turned fully yellow. The attic… Continue reading Yellow PEX Pipes: Normal or Trouble?
PEX-A Repipe Red Flags Before You Close Walls
A renovation is the best time to fix old plumbing. Open walls make pipe work easier. They also let you improve the layout before the drywall returns. This homeowner is replacing old copper with PEX-A. The plan uses 3/4 inch lines as the main trunk. It also uses 1/2 inch branches for smaller fixture runs.… Continue reading PEX-A Repipe Red Flags Before You Close Walls