A leaking water heater flex line can stop a simple job fast. This is even more frustrating when the old lines worked for years. In this case, the leak is at the water heater nipple heat trap. Both the hot and cold flex lines are leaking there. The other ends seal fine on the 3/4-inch… Continue reading Water Heater Flex Line Leak? Fix It Fast
Tag: plumbing repair
Leaking Main Shutoff Valve? Fix It Right
A leaking main shutoff valve can make any home repair harder. If the valve will not stop water fully, repairs become stressful fast. This is common with older gate valves. A gate valve uses a rising gate inside the valve body. Over time, that gate can wear, corrode, or collect grit. When that happens, the… Continue reading Leaking Main Shutoff Valve? Fix It Right
Was This Fridge Valve Job Too Expensive?
Question: What Should This Small Plumbing Job Cost? A homeowner recently bought a new refrigerator. The new fridge did not include an ice maker. Still, the old ice maker water line remained under the sink. That line had no separate shut-off valve. It was tied into the cold water shut-off under the sink. That valve… Continue reading Was This Fridge Valve Job Too Expensive?
Dripping Water Heater Union? Read This First
A small drip near a water heater can feel harmless. But old galvanized pipe can change that fast. This home has a water heater installed in 2019. Now the hot side dielectric union is dripping. The leak is about one-quarter to one-half pint daily. The house is 98 years old. It still has 3/4-inch galvanized… Continue reading Dripping Water Heater Union? Read This First
Phoenix Condo Softener: Replace It or Skip It?
Hard water is a real problem in many Arizona homes. It can leave scale on faucets, shower doors, pipes, and water heaters. That makes this question fair for any Phoenix condo owner. Should you replace a broken water softener if you plan to sell soon? The answer depends on cost, risk, and how long you… Continue reading Phoenix Condo Softener: Replace It or Skip It?
Frozen Tub Stopper? Fix It Before Replacing
Question My lever-actuated bathtub drain stopper is frozen in the open position. The cover has a “K,” so I think it may be Kohler. The drain was replaced over 20 years ago. I no longer have the paperwork. Before I spend $145 on a new drain assembly, can I clean it? Also, what brand should… Continue reading Frozen Tub Stopper? Fix It Before Replacing
Old Cast Iron Hub Leak Returns After 35 Years
Some plumbing problems never fully go away. They may stay quiet for decades. Then one day, a soft floor or stained wall brings them back. That seems to be the case in this old 1910 home. The owners bought the house nearly 40 years ago. A few years later, they gutted the upstairs bathroom. During… Continue reading Old Cast Iron Hub Leak Returns After 35 Years
Are ProPress Fittings Replacing Sweat Copper?
Older copper pipes can last a long time. Still, a 50-year-old copper line can start to fail. One common warning sign is a pinhole leak. A small leak may look simple at first. But it can point to a bigger pipe problem. That is especially true when the pipe is hidden above drywall. In this… Continue reading Are ProPress Fittings Replacing Sweat Copper?
Yellow PEX Pipes: Normal or Trouble?
PEX pipe is common in many homes today. It is flexible, easy to run, and often cheaper than copper. But color changes can make homeowners worry. One homeowner noticed yellow spots on a two-year-old PEX pipe. The pipe was under a bathroom sink. Other pipes in a hot attic had turned fully yellow. The attic… Continue reading Yellow PEX Pipes: Normal or Trouble?
Washing Machine Water Hammer Fix That Lasts
Washing machines can be rough on plumbing. Their fast shutoff valves stop water very quickly. That sudden stop can cause water hammer. You may hear a bang, thump, or pipe shake. A homeowner asked a common question. Cheap water hammer arrestors behind the washer lasted about three years. Instead of buying new ones, they wanted… Continue reading Washing Machine Water Hammer Fix That Lasts