Vent pipes are needed to supply air to water pipes. Without proper air replacement, your drain lines could create a vacuum in the plumbing system. Be sure local regulations allow anyone other then licensed plumbers to do work on your plumbing vent piping.
When it is time to replace your water heater, would a tankless water heater be the best alternative? Tankless water heaters cost more then standard hot water heaters. Be sure to consider the payback period on the tankless water heaters.
A toilet gets a lot of hard use and often abuse. Fortunately, toilets are simple mechanisms, but toilet problems are bound to arise in a mechanism that gets used so often. Many toilet repairs can be handled by the homeowner. Instructions for do it yourself toilet repair are explained here for ten common toilet malfunctions. If fixing toilet problems is on your agenda, roll up your sleeves, and start here!
Judy H. lives in OH. She had a great question. "Hi, Tim. Hope you can advise me. We have an original porcelain bathtub (57 years old). In 1990, we had it glazed by BathCrest, who are no longer in business. The glaze has now started to peel around the drain. I'd like to keep the Read More »
I'm a master plumber as well as a builder. Crazy but true. I've been one for over 35 years. Gary, who lives in West Memphis, Arkansas, is remodeling his bathroom and has a question about walk-in shower drains. "I removed a bath tube and going to install a walk in shower. Do I need to Read More »
You may not know this, but among other things I'm a master plumber. Yeah, the Ask the Builder founder is a plumber too! I've been one for over 35 years and during that time I've loved installing waste, vent and water supply lines. As you might expect, I've used beefy corded right-angle drills for decades to drill Read More »
DEAR TIM: I'm replacing my bath exhaust fan. The old fan was vented through the soffit. I don't believe I have an attic as there seems to be no access to the space. My roof is sloped but my bath ceiling is flat. What's the best way to exhaust the fan out through the soffit? Read More »
Tim Carter shows a failed plumbing vent flashing, a high-quality replacement flashing, and he provides step-by-step installation instructions. Just below the video is a LINK to PURCHASE this high-quality flashing. Or CLICK or TAP HERE now to order one. Here is a picture of the Lifetime Tool & Building Products' plumbing vent flashing. This is Read More »
Ross Moran and his wife Kate live in Leeds, England (UK). They purchased two copper pans they want to convert to sinks. Ross wants to know about copper sink care and preparation. Hi Tim, You have a fantastic website - some really helpful information on here and people are reading all the way over here in Read More »
Steven JP has a wretched toilet smell from his new toilet in his China home. Let him describe the situation. "Hey Tim! my new toilet has three connection points in the base. See the attached picture. I can't figure out why. This is a fancy new technology toilet that I bought here in China. It's an Arrow Read More »
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