You have a tough bathroom rough-in. The layout is shower, toilet, then sink. The 4-inch main drain runs under the toilet. It is also about 4 feet deep. You are thinking about horizontal wet venting. That can work for many bathroom groups. But the details matter. Quick Q&A Q: Is a 4-foot vertical drop from… Continue reading Deep Main Drain? Wet Vent This 3-Fixture Bath
Category: General Plumbing Help
Old PVC Outside? Safe to Use for Vent Pipes?
You found a 2-inch Schedule 40 PVC that sat outside for years in NYC. It was a makeshift gutter runoff on a shaded wall. It saw cold winters and wet weather. Now you want to reuse it for plumbing vents. Quick Q&A Q: Can I reuse old outdoor PVC for my vent pipes? A: Maybe,… Continue reading Old PVC Outside? Safe to Use for Vent Pipes?
Toilet to Stack: San-Tee or Wye? Best Pick
You are tying a toilet drain into a vertical soil stack. The toilet is separately vented. You keep reading two answers. Some say use a sanitary tee. Others say use a combo wye and 45. So which one is “right”? Quick Q&A Q: What is the preferred fitting for a horizontal toilet branch into a… Continue reading Toilet to Stack: San-Tee or Wye? Best Pick
NaviCirc Setup: Do You Need an Extra Pump?
You have a Navien tankless water heater. You want to add a NaviCirc recirculation valve. You also want faster hot water at the tap. Your home is new and single-level. It is about 100 feet from end to end. The heater is about 30 feet from one end. The kitchen and laundry sit near the… Continue reading NaviCirc Setup: Do You Need an Extra Pump?
Water in the Den? Slab Leak or Pipe Above?
You’re looking at a house as a rental. You walk in and find water in the den. The break is “underneath,” but the source is unknown. It could be a supply line under the slab. It could be a drain line in the slab. It could also be a pipe above the slab. Quick Q&A… Continue reading Water in the Den? Slab Leak or Pipe Above?
Dishwasher Leak Exposed a Drain Disaster
A former neighbor in Michigan had a dishwasher leak. It started as a small mess under the sink. Then it turned into a full tear-out. They decided to rebuild the kitchen anyway. It was long overdue. During the demo, they found something shocking. The old two-bowl sink had two separate drain lines. Each line was… Continue reading Dishwasher Leak Exposed a Drain Disaster
Toe-Tapper Won’t Seal? Quick Fix Guide
You want a long, hot soak. Your tub should hold water. A worn stopper can drain the fun fast. This is common on older American Standard soaker and whirlpool tubs. Many use an “over-the-rim” waste and overflow kit with a toe-tapper plug. What “free spinning” usually means You twist the toe-tapper, and it just spins.… Continue reading Toe-Tapper Won’t Seal? Quick Fix Guide
Fix a Leaking Reducing Valve at the Threaded Connection
Question:I have a reducing valve that’s leaking at the threaded connection. Is it as simple as loosening the connection and rethreading with Teflon tape or dope, or should I replace the valve and male fitting? Answer:Fixing a leaking reducing valve can be straightforward, but it depends on the condition of the valve and fitting. Here’s… Continue reading Fix a Leaking Reducing Valve at the Threaded Connection
How to Fix a Leaking Reducing Valve with Hard Water Crust
Question:My reducing valve is leaking at the threaded connection, and there’s a lot of hard water crust. Can I just unthread it, apply new Teflon tape, and tighten it, or do I need to replace the fitting and the valve? Answer:You may be able to fix the leak with new Teflon tape, but there are… Continue reading How to Fix a Leaking Reducing Valve with Hard Water Crust
Best Plumbing Layout for Dishwasher, Disposal, and AAV?
Question:I’m setting up a 2″ drain in front of the dishwasher and disposal outlet. Due to other plumbing and HVAC obstructions, I can’t move either of these fixtures. I also need to install an air admittance valve (AAV) and a garbage disposal. I’m unsure which layout is best: the first setup with a bunch of… Continue reading Best Plumbing Layout for Dishwasher, Disposal, and AAV?