Cold weather can be hard on any plumbing system. That includes your sump pump, sump pit, and discharge pipe. Many homeowners think an unplugged pump is safe. That is not always true. Question: Can a sump pump still be damaged if it is unplugged? Answer: Yes. If water freezes inside the pump, pipe, or pit,… Continue reading Can Freezing Ruin Your Sump Pump?
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How Close Can AUTOCUT Cut Copper Pipe?
Cutting copper pipe under a bathroom vanity can be tight work. This is even harder when the fitting is soldered in place. A torch may not be safe in that small space. That is why many homeowners look at an AUTOCUT-style pipe cutter. Question I need to cut a 1/2-inch copper pipe for a bathroom… Continue reading How Close Can AUTOCUT Cut Copper Pipe?
Deep Main Drain? Wet Vent This 3-Fixture Bath
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
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