I put some PVC pipe together at my house decades ago.It worked well enough at the time. After many years, I have learned more about plumbing. Now I want to clean up part of that old setup. The problem is a tight space between two fittings. There is not enough pipe showing between them. That… Continue reading Need a Tight PVC Fix? Try This Fitting
Tag: plumbing repair
Pump Runs But Won’t Drain? Check This
A pump that runs but will not drain is frustrating. It can also be a messy plumbing problem. This is common with sealed pump basins. It can happen with sump pumps. It can also happen with sewage ejector pumps. In this case, the pump sits inside a sump casing. The discharge line connects to a… Continue reading Pump Runs But Won’t Drain? Check This
Slow Outdoor Faucet Drip? Check This First
A slow drip from an outdoor faucet can seem small. But even a small leak can waste water over time. The good news is simple. Many standard hose faucets do have a rubber washer inside. That washer is often the first part to check. This is especially true with a round handle faucet. That style… Continue reading Slow Outdoor Faucet Drip? Check This First
Fix a Broken Sprayer Tank Spout for Less
A broken sprayer tank spout can turn a small job into a big headache. This is common on older lawn and farm sprayers. The tank may still look fine. But the molded garden hose thread can crack, chip, or break off. That leaves you with a rough plastic stub. In this case, the tank is… Continue reading Fix a Broken Sprayer Tank Spout for Less
Can You Add a Dishwasher Shutoff Valve?
A stuck dishwasher shut-off valve is a common plumbing problem. Hard water can build up inside the valve body. Over time, the handle may stop turning. Sometimes the valve gets stuck open. That can make dishwasher service harder and less safe. In this case, the hot dishwasher feed valve under the sink is stuck open.… Continue reading Can You Add a Dishwasher Shutoff Valve?
Sweating Shut-Off Valve? Don’t Patch It Yet
A main water shut-off valve is one of the most important parts in your home. It lets you stop water during repairs, leaks, or emergencies. So when that valve starts leaking, even a small leak matters. In this case, the solder joints are holding fine. The problem is different. The valve body is leaking at… Continue reading Sweating Shut-Off Valve? Don’t Patch It Yet
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
Rubber Grommet Drain: Is Putty Needed?
Question: If a drain has a rubber grommet, do I need plumber’s putty? Answer: Usually, no. If the drain uses a rubber grommet, that gasket is meant to make the seal. You pulled the drain apart to clean it. You also found old plumber’s putty there. That can be confusing. Many older drain installs used… Continue reading Rubber Grommet Drain: Is Putty Needed?
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
How to Fix a Leaking Reducing Valve with Hard Water Crust
Question:My reducing valve is leaking at the threaded connection, and there’s a lot of hard water crust. Can I just unthread it, apply new Teflon tape, and tighten it, or do I need to replace the fitting and the valve? Answer:You may be able to fix the leak with new Teflon tape, but there are… Continue reading How to Fix a Leaking Reducing Valve with Hard Water Crust