Can Fernco Hide Behind Drywall? A small vent pipe repair can raise a big code question. The question sounds simple at first. Can you join two pieces of 1-1/2 inch PVC vent pipe with a flexible Fernco coupling? And can that coupling stay hidden behind sheetrock? Under the Uniform Plumbing Code, the safe answer is… Continue reading Can Fernco Hide Behind Drywall?
Category: Drain & Sewer
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
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
Red Septic Alarm Light Won’t Turn Off?
Question: Why Is My Aerobic Septic Red Light Staying On? A homeowner has an aerobic septic system from 2011. The system has three floats in the final tank. The bottom float controls the pump cycle. It can run by level or by timer. In this setup, the pump runs on a set timer. The middle… Continue reading Red Septic Alarm Light Won’t Turn Off?
Bad Drain Pitch? Fix Bathroom Pipes Right
Bathroom drain work can look simple at first. Then you open the floor and see the real problem. Flat pipe, wrong slope, and tight fittings can cause trouble. That is common in older bathroom layouts. This drain system serves two nearby bathrooms. The hall bath has a lav, toilet, and tub. The master half bath… Continue reading Bad Drain Pitch? Fix Bathroom Pipes Right
Condo Sewer Switch: Is a $20K Tap Too High?
A small condo complex in Loudon County, Tennessee, is facing a costly plumbing choice. The property has four buildings, with four condos in each building. That makes 16 total units. The buildings were built in the mid-1980s. Ten units have one and a half baths. Six units have two full baths. Right now, the complex… Continue reading Condo Sewer Switch: Is a $20K Tap Too High?