| Title |
Read |
A Hot Revelation
When we asked our 22-year-old nephew Chris about living conditions in Chile, he complained about the shower. The daily ceremony in the house where he's staying involves lighting the pilot on the water heater, waiting for the tank contents to heat up and then completing a shower quickly enough so as not to be drenched with ice cold water from the tiny tank.
|
|
A Steamy Situation
If you are anything like us, your first morning challenge during cold winter months is maintaining your body temperature, once you've left the warmth of your bed. Well, you're in store for a pleasant alternative!
|
|
All About Plastic Water Pipes
If you have a built-in lawn sprinkler system, chances are you're familiar with plastic water pipe. What you may not realize is that in most places it is approved for use inside your home as well as outside. However, there are a few building departments around the country that don't allow the use of plastic water pipe inside the home.
|
|
Bathtub Repair and Replacement
As building contractors who specialize in residential remodeling, we encourage folks to do a little sprucing up around the house. However, as consumer advocates we believe it is our duty to outline the various alternatives to full-blown remodeling so that the buyer can make informed decisions.
|
|
Case study: Tracking down a really stinky smell
Every plumbing fixture has a trap that keeps sewer gasses from backing up into the home. If a fixture isn't used for a long time, the water in the trap can evaporate and sewer gasses escape into the home.
|
|
Compression Fittings
On a recent radio broadcast we took a call from a woman with a special plumbing problem. Before we could finish welcoming her onto the air, she began to bark out instructions: "Hold on, I need to get the phone closer to the toilet so that you guys can hear the terrible racket it makes every time I flush." Before we could respond, she did just that.
|
|
Conserving Water (and Money)
In this day and age of indoor toilets and aqueducts, it is hard to believe that there is a such thing as water rationing.
|
|
Dealing with Dripping Faucets
Something many us tend to forget is that every bathroom sink has two sets of controls. The faucet at the sink and the valves below it. If you are bothered by a dripping faucet, simply shut off the valves under the sink. Sometimes these valves also are in need of repair.
|
|
Dealing With Noisy Water Pipes
Whether the water source is a well, a local storage tank or a community system, one fact is constant water doesn't compress. As it comes to an abrupt stop a loud thud results. The noise is known as a "water hammer."
|
|
Easy Fixes for Leaky Toilets
An average leaking toilet will waste up to 78,000 gallons of water per year. Think about it—that's enough water to fill two average-sized backyard swimming pools. What follows are some common toilet problems and their solutions.
|
|
Fix That Leaky Faucet
It's torture. At 3 a.m., you hear a dripping faucet. What do you do? Bury your head under the pillow or get up and drag out your tools?
|
|
Fixing a Leaking Faucet
Fixing a leaking faucet isn't as painful as you might think. In fact, it's among the most "user-friendly" do-it-yourself maintenance tasks.
|
|
Fixture Choices
According to real estate and remodeling industry statistics, a bathroom addition to a one bathroom home is rated as one of the most cost-effective and comfort-enhancing home improvements.
|
|
Freeing Up Drains
Clogged and slow-running drains are a common problem that usually cannot be solved completely. Nevertheless, there are measures you can take to keep your drains "tuned-up" to keep them running freely.
|
|
Getting the Most From Your Water Heater
A simple and inexpensive maintenance program can prolong the life of your water heater and virtually eliminate the need to replace it. An insulation blanket will make a water heater more energy-efficient, but won't improve its lasting quality. If the bottom of the water tank is filled with sludge, blanket or no, the heater will not operate at peak performance.
|
|
Gravity-fed Recirculating Systems Are Money Monsters
While much of our time is spent recommending what you can do to your home to improve its value, and to make it a more enjoyable place to live, we are sometimes remiss in making you aware of certain things that aren't so good. Well, we found one: Gravity-fed hot water recirculating systems.
|
|
Hot Water Dispensers
We're always looking for something new and interesting to write about. But this week we're reporting on something that has been under our noses for almost a decade hot water dispensers. Each of us has one.
|
|
Hot Water on Demand
A new technology, "Hot Water on Demand," can save you money, water and energy. With this system, hot water is almost instantaneous. The pump shuts off when water in the line is hot.
|
|
Hot-Water Waiting
When you turn on the faucet, do you find yourself waiting for a minute or more before hot water arrives? Here's something that will save you money, make your life more comfortable, and eliminate waiting at faucets and showers.
|
|
How to Prevent and Repair a Broken Water Pipe
A winter freeze in a normally warm climate can devastate a landscape, hinder transportation and bust water pipes that can do thousands of dollars of damage to a home in less than an hour.
|
|
How to Sweat Pipes
Millions of U.S. homes have either lead or galvanized water pipes. Studies have revealed that lead can be a health hazard. Galvanized pipe has drawbacks as well. Ask anyone who owns a home that is thirty-plus years old. Mineral build-up and corrosion in the pipes' interiors can result in a significant drop in water pressure and ultimately can be the cause of leaks.
|
|
Installing a Garbage Disposal
There are many devices available that make our kitchen chores much easier. One such gadget - the garbage disposal - has been popular for decades and is here to stay.
|
|
Instant Hot Water
The idea is instant hot water at the tap and the new element is that it is not a point-of-use water heater. And, it is not a conventional recirculating system either.
|
|
Keeping Yourself in Hot Water
If you're tired of short showers and high utility bills, you can easily take action. A bit of preventive maintenance on the water heater can provide hot water longer, result in energy savings and even extend the life of your water heater.
|
|
Modern Faucets: Convenient, Attractive and Versati
Many style-minded homeowners are replacing the traditional two-handled faucet with single-lever mixing faucets. They are more convenient to operate, offer a sleeker design and are easier and less costly to maintain.
|
|
New Breed of Toilet Saves Water
There have been recent advances made in the technology of toilets, and the potential for significant water savings has resulted.
|
|
Pedestal Lavatory
If you want your bathroom to look, feel and be more spacious,
consider a pedestal lavatory. What is a pedestal lavatory? Read on!
|
|
Pipe Replacement
If your home is more than 30 years old chances are it harbors some galvanized pipe. These pipes are iron that has been coated with zinc to protect it from rust and extend its life.
|
|
Pressure Relief Valves: To Test or Not to Test
Doing talk-radio is interesting. Callers ask their questions in a minute or less and we must answer equally briefly. As with this column, we do a lot of research to ensure that the information we provide is not only correct, but timely, as well.
|
|
Preventing Frozen Water Pipes
It's coast-to-coast cold. As this article is being written "black ice" on roadways is being reported in almost every state. When the water on our roads turns to ice, the next freeze could be the water in our pipes.
|
|
Preventing Water Pipes from Freezing
We thought the pilot light had gone out on the water heater, but a trip to the water-heater shed resulted in a surprising discovery - icy water gushing from a cracked copper line connected to the water heater.
|
|
Protecting Drinking Water From Contaminants
Whether they spout forth well water or city water, the faucets at your kitchen sink and garden have something in common: Both get their water from the same supply line. All outlets at every location on your property inside and outside get their water from the same source.
|
|
Quality and safety are watchwords for garbage disposal unit
In remodeling nowadays, who would think of putting in a sink and not including a disposal? But you have to remember: you really do get what you pay for.
|
|
Quick Fixes For Leaky Pipes
Being prepared to defend your home's plumbing system against cold winter temperatures can prevent heartache and save money. Water and sewer-line leaks occur year round, regardless of the temperature. But, chilling winter freezes add to the problem.
|
|
Quieting Noisy Toilets
If a toilet in your home creates a noise nuisance, you'll want to read on. We have tips that will help you trouble-shoot the problem. The condition, in addition to taking a toll on your eardrums, could result in wasted water.
|
|
Repairing or Replacing Sink Sprayers
The National Kitchen and Bath Association, a leading building and remodeling trade association, refers to sinks, faucets and related paraphernalia as "water appliances." There's one for you.
|
|
Repairing Your Toilet Saves Water Waste -- and Noise
Wasting water is expensive and the abuse of a precious natural
resource. In addition, a leak can prevent a toilet from flushing properly, which can require multiple flushes and result in still more wasted water.
|
|
Replacing a Faucet Valve Washer
When a humming or vibrating-noise occurs for the first time in an established plumbing system, the problem usually is inside the faucet that is being used even though it may not seem so.
|
|
Replacing a Shower Head
You needn't run out of hot water when showering. Nor do you need to use excessive energy to heat the shower water. In fact, taking a shower can be a water-conserving experience without giving up comfort, if know a trick or two.
|
|
Replacing a Toilet
Replacing a toilet may not be one of the most exciting ways to spend a Saturday, but then that's the nice part about this particular project; you should be able to perform this little task and still have time to enjoy your afternoon.
|
|
Replacing a Tub Spout
When it comes to home maintenance, changing a tub spout is about as simple as it gets.
|
|
Safe Drinking Water
Water constitutes approximately two-thirds of the earth's surface and 60 percent of the human body. We use it to prepare food, wash dishes and clothing, bathe and swim in, and to irrigate. It is a vital element of our existence.
|
|
Septic Tank Maintenance
If you live in a rural area or have vacation property in the middle of nowhere, you no doubt are familiar with the form and function of a septic system. Or, you might be considering the construction of a home or weekend getaway where a septic system will be required and are curious to know how such a system works.
|
|
Stabilizing a Wobbly Showerhead
In a recent column we reviewed the benefits of infiltration control plugging air leaks using canned expanding foam sealant. What we didn't divulge was that we found another interesting use for expanding foam. As you read on, you might think of additional uses yourself.
|
|
Steam is more than just clean
Modern aficionados of saunas and steam baths also believe that they not only helps you get clean outside, but enhance health and are therapeutic as well.
If you decide to try setting up a steam bath at home, here are some basics to keep in mind.
|
|
Sump Pump Maintenance
Watershed is one of the single most crucial home-maintenance issues that we must face each winter. Runoff from the roof, water from
downspouts and surface water all become a potential danger to a
foundation, subarea and basement.
|
|
T-Trap
Your typical plumbing system may cause clogs to build up around the bottom of the "P"-shaped trap below your sink. Introducing the "T"-trap... which prevents these clogs completely!
|
|
Tapping Into a Water System
Tapping into your existing water system to install a drip irrigation system, a sprinkler system or even a backyard water fountain is simple, inexpensive and can be fun. But, there is a danger.
|
|
Throne Improvement
In a pinch or to avoid one you can always cover the worn spot on a toilet seat with a decal. The best solution, however, is to replace the seat. In doing so, there are few important decisions to be made.
|
|
Time to Flush Your Water-Guzzling Toilet
It has been referred to as the john, the throne, the loo, the water closet. Call it what you want, your toilet may be flushing away oodles of water.
|
|
Tips About Drain Cleaning
We have the "sewer auger," a snakelike tool made of ultramodern coiled spring steel that is designed to travel within a sewer pipe, in line and around corners, to dislodge obstructions.
|
|
Treating Water in Your Home
Among the questions we frequently receive is how one gets rid of the grungy buildup on windows, shower glass, faucets and plumbing fixtures. Unfortunately, the repeated cleanings using powerful products can, over time, cause finishes to become dull or worn out.
|
|
Troubleshooting Toilet Problems
Most people believe that a gravity-flush toilet works on water pressure. Not so. In fact, there is no single factor that makes for a full flush, but rather many components working in harmony. Often, when only one of these components fails to do its job, the whole operation falls apart.
|
|
Water Heater Maintenance
If you're like most people, chances are good that you don't appreciate the convenience of hot water at the tap until there is none. This can be especially true when in the middle of a hot shower things turn cold, very cold.
|
|
Water Heaters
With a bit of periodic maintenance, a water heater should last well into its teens or longer. Find out how to keep your water heater running longer... while saving yourself money at the same time!
|
|
Water Impurities and Troubleshooting Water
We do a lot of traveling, and one of the first things that we do when we arrive at a new hotel room is test the tap water. There is always the concern that we will be forced to use bottled water. More often than not, that is what we end up doing.
|
|
Whirlpool Baths: Bigger isn't always better
Folks who own larger tubs don't use them as much as they thought they would when they made their purchase.
|
|
