Replacing old shutoff valves is a smart plumbing update. Many older homes still have multi-turn stop valves. Those valves can get stiff, leak, or fail over time. A quarter-turn ball valve is usually the better choice. It opens and closes with one simple turn. That makes it faster during a leak or repair. For sinks… Continue reading Best Shutoff Valves for Sinks and Toilets
Category: Toilets & Sinks
Toilet Waste Pipe Too Short? Easy Fix
Fitting a new toilet can seem simple at first. Then one small problem can stop the whole job. A common issue is a short toilet waste connection. The toilet outlet may not reach the pan outlet pipe. This often happens when a new toilet has a different shape. It can also happen after new flooring… Continue reading Toilet Waste Pipe Too Short? Easy Fix
Should You Caulk Your Toilet Base?
A new toilet should feel solid, clean, and safe. But many homeowners get stuck on one final step. Should the toilet base be caulked to the floor? This question comes up often after a toilet install. It is even more common on tile floors. Porcelain tile can make caulk lines stand out. A messy bead… Continue reading Should You Caulk Your Toilet Base?
Leaking 2nd Floor Kitchen Drain Fix
Question My second-floor kitchen drain is leaking behind the wall. The drain is a 2-inch galvanized pipe. The leak is between the first and second floors. An inspection camera showed a seam opened about 1/8 inch. Should I wrap the pipe with epoxy tape or replace the bad galvanized drain with PVC? Answer The safer… Continue reading Leaking 2nd Floor Kitchen Drain Fix
Why This Bidet Seat Kept Tripping Power
A heated bidet seat sounded like a simple upgrade. My elderly clients wanted more comfort in their toilet room. The seat itself was not the hard part. I had the bidet seat installed in about ten minutes. Then came the real job. The seat needed power near the toilet. There was an outlet on the… Continue reading Why This Bidet Seat Kept Tripping Power
No Threads? How to Test Faucet Water Pressure
You want to check the water pressure at a faucet. But the spout has no hose threads. A standard gauge will not screw on. Good news. You still have several easy options. Quick Q&A Q: How can I measure pressure without faucet threads? A: Use an aerator adapter, a clamp-on faucet gauge, or test pressure… Continue reading No Threads? How to Test Faucet Water Pressure
The $5 Fix for a Leaking InSinkErator Disposer
Your InSinkErator has been working for decades. It came with the house about 25 years ago. It is an Essential model at 3/4 HP. A plumber says the unit is still in good shape. But you have a small crack and a steady drip. The crack is at the “anti-vibration tailpipe” area. You do not… Continue reading The $5 Fix for a Leaking InSinkErator Disposer
Toilet Gurgling Under Floor? Fix This Fast
You have two bathrooms in a mobile home. The front toilet flushes with no noise. The back toilet flush causes gurgling under the living room floor. You cleared both roof vents and found no blockages. The washer does not back up into tubs. Everything seems to drain fine. So why the gurgle? Quick Q&A Q:… Continue reading Toilet Gurgling Under Floor? Fix This Fast
Toilet Flange Gap Caused a Ceiling Leak?
You had a rough surprise. A shower head was left spraying the bathroom floor. It ran for a few minutes. Water then showed up in the living room below. It pooled on the drywall ceiling. It even drained through a light fixture. After you shut off power and water, you open the ceiling. You did… Continue reading Toilet Flange Gap Caused a Ceiling Leak?
No Aerator? Fix a Slow Bathroom Faucet Fast
Your bathroom sink flow is weak. Your faucet has no aerator to unscrew. That is common on some faucets. The good news is you can often clean it. Why does the flow drops Many “no aerator” faucets still have tiny outlet holes. Some have a hidden screen in the spout. Hard water leaves mineral crust.… Continue reading No Aerator? Fix a Slow Bathroom Faucet Fast