Will A Low-Flow Shower Head Save Hot Water? Long showers can drain a water heater fast. This is very common in homes with teenagers. A 40-gallon tank may sound large. Yet it can run out during one long shower. This is even more true with an older shower. Many older showers have two handles. One… Continue reading Will A Low-Flow Shower Head Save Hot Water?
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Reused Tub Gasket: Safe or Risky?
Reused Tub Gasket: Safe or Risky? Replacing an old bathtub drain can make the tub look much better. It can also raise a few plumbing questions. One common question is about the rubber gasket under the tub. A homeowner recently replaced an old push/pull tub drain. After removing the drain, they wanted to replace the… Continue reading Reused Tub Gasket: Safe or Risky?
Pocket Door vs Shower Plumbing: Best Fix?
Pocket Door vs Shower Plumbing: Best Fix? A tub and shower remodel can look simple at first. Then the pocket door plan changes everything. A pocket door needs a clear wall pocket. That pocket often takes the same space as water lines. It can also hit the shower valve, tub spout line, and shower riser.… Continue reading Pocket Door vs Shower Plumbing: Best Fix?
Yellow Tap Water? Your Sink Is Warning You
Yellow Tap Water? Your Sink Is Warning You A guest bathroom can hide plumbing trouble for a long time. This is common when the sink is only used once or twice a month. One homeowner noticed dark yellow water from the bathroom faucet. It showed up from both the hot and cold sides. The water… Continue reading Yellow Tap Water? Your Sink Is Warning You
Tub Filler Threads: NPT or NPSM for Code?
Tub Filler Threads: NPT or NPSM for Code? A freestanding tub filler can look simple at first. Yet the thread type can cause real questions. This is especially true in Massachusetts. The common issue is NPT versus NPSM. NPT means National Pipe Taper. NPSM means National Pipe Straight Mechanical. These threads may screw together. That… Continue reading Tub Filler Threads: NPT or NPSM for Code?
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
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
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?
Shower Knob Turns Both Ways? Here’s Why
Shower Knob Turns Both Ways? Here’s Why A strange shower handle can make any bathroom project feel unfinished. One homeowner bought a townhouse about a year ago. The upstairs shower worked fine, so the downstairs bathroom waited. After a recent bathroom update, the downstairs tub and shower faucet acted odd. At the top position, the… Continue reading Shower Knob Turns Both Ways? Here’s Why