A loud copper pipe can be scary. It may sound like the pipe is shaking inside the wall. This often happens when water flows fast through a small pipe. It can also happen when a pipe is loose. Question I have an outdoor hose bib near the main water line. When I turn it on,… Continue reading Why Is My Copper Pipe So Loud?
Tag: plumbing
Basement Drain Smell? Fix It Before It Spreads
A smelly basement can start with one small floor drain. In many Brooklyn rowhouses, an areaway sits outside the basement door. This sunken space often has stairs leading down from the yard. At the bottom, there may be a floor drain. That drain helps move rainwater away during storms. But it can also let sewer… Continue reading Basement Drain Smell? Fix It Before It Spreads
Wobbly Kohler Toilet? Check the Base First
A new toilet should sit flat before final installation. If it rocks before the wax ring is crushed, stop and check the base. You bought two Kohler Elliston toilets. One has support ribs and a horn about 1/8 inch higher than the rim. That can cause a small wobble on the floor. The toilet horn… Continue reading Wobbly Kohler Toilet? Check the Base First
Is an Abandoned Gas Line Safe in a Wall?
Old gas lines can make any homeowner nervous. That worry makes sense when the pipe runs inside a wall. In this case, the gas line enters an upstairs exterior wall corner. It runs about 10 feet through the wall. Then it has a tee with a short stub going outside. After that, it continues another… Continue reading Is an Abandoned Gas Line Safe in a Wall?
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?
PEX-A Repipe Red Flags Before You Close Walls
A renovation is the best time to fix old plumbing. Open walls make pipe work easier. They also let you improve the layout before the drywall returns. This homeowner is replacing old copper with PEX-A. The plan uses 3/4 inch lines as the main trunk. It also uses 1/2 inch branches for smaller fixture runs.… Continue reading PEX-A Repipe Red Flags Before You Close Walls
New Bathroom Plumbing Layout Red Flags
Adding a new bathroom is a big plumbing project. It is also a great time to plan things right. A clean layout can save work later. It can also prevent slow drains and vent issues. This project has a 3-inch drain stack near the new bathroom. The stack will run through a closet area. It… Continue reading New Bathroom Plumbing Layout Red Flags
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