Muddy Tunnels Above a Septic Drain Field? An older berm home can hide many secrets underground. That is even more true when there are no records. This homeowner bought an earth-style berm house built in 1986. The original owner had passed away. So, there were no clear papers for the well, septic tank, or drain… Continue reading Muddy Tunnels Above a Septic Drain Field?
Tag: drain
Bad Cleanout Threads? Try This Drain Plug Fix
Bad Cleanout Threads? Try This Drain Plug Fix A floor drain cleanout should seal tightly. But that gets hard when the threads are damaged. This happens a lot in older drains. The plug may start crooked. It may spin without grabbing. It may also refuse to thread back in. In this case, the old plug… Continue reading Bad Cleanout Threads? Try This Drain Plug Fix
Can Fernco Hide Behind Drywall?
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?
Did a Shed Truck Damage My Septic Drain Field?
Did a Shed Truck Damage My Septic Drain Field? A new storage shed should solve a space problem. It should not create a septic worry. One homeowner had a 12×24 storage shed delivered. The driver backed a cab-over truck, trailer, and shed across the drain field. The yard was wet, so the tires left clear… Continue reading Did a Shed Truck Damage My Septic Drain Field?
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
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?
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?