What is plumber's putty?
It is a sealing putty used for a variety of tasks including to seal basket stainers, garbage disposal rims and tub drains.
Which is better for sealing - Teflon ™ is easier to work with and makes a cleaner joint.
What does Flux do?
It cleans the surface prior to soldering. It prevents the oxidation of the metal and it allows the solder to flow freely.
How should I cut plastic pipe?
Any fine-tooth saw will work, but make sure you remove any burrs.
What size water heater should I buy?
Most people base their purchases on the size of the storage tank, but a better method is to first estimate how much hot water you will need during the peak hour of use. This is referred to as the first-hour rating (FHR) on the Energy Guide label posted on new water heaters. Typical hot water use is:
What is the purpose of a pressure relief valve on a water heater?
This is a safety device that will open in case of high pressure or temperature.
What are the working parts of a toilet?
The refill valve, the flush valve and the trip lever.
You stock two sizes of supply lines. Which one will I need for my toilet?
The toilet supply line head is the larger of the two. The smaller ones are sink supply lines.
Are all faucet seats the same?
No, you will need to bring in the old seat to match up with the new one. Each brand has it's own design and thread.
My sump pump runs constantly. Do I need to buy a new one?
It could just be a bad switch that is easy to replace.
Is there any maintenance for a water heater?
Yes, you should test the pressure relief valve regularly and replace it if it fails to operate. At least once a year you should flush out the sediments. As long as a tank has a functioning anode, it should not rust. Therefore you should check the anode about once every two years. The fitting is ususally on the top of the tank and it's often tight, so a torgue multiplier is a useful tool. If you find 6" or more of the steel core wire exposed, or if the rod formed a hard, adherent calium carbonate coating that prevents further corrosion of the sacrificial metal, replace the rod. There are segmented rods if overhead clearance is limited.
What is the purpose of an aerator on a faucet?
An aerator diffuses the water to prevent splashing.
Is a trap necesary under the sink?
You need a trap to shut off odor (sewer gas) from coming into the kitchen and bath area.
What is a compression fitting?
This type of fitting squeezes a brass or plastic ring around copper or plastic tubing.
Why is my toilet leaking at the bottom even though I just replaced the wax ring?
There may be too much space between the flange and the bottom of the toilet. If you recently remodeled the bathroom, for example, you may have raised the height of the floor. To fix, either raise the flange and drain or use a double wax ring or a ring with a plastic sleeve.
I have a problem with the plumbing in my house making groaning and honking sounds.
It could be that you have lost your "air cushion". To get it back, turn the water supply off at the main valve. Turn on all the faucets around your home. Then turn on the main valve again and shut off each faucet. This should take care of the problem.
Is there an easy way to replace the seat?
There are glue-in repair kits, but not all kits fit all toilets. And you must follow the manufacturer's directions closely.
How do I test to see if water is leaking from the tank into the bowl?
After flushing the toilet, let it refill. Now put a few drops of food coloring into the tank. If the color appears in the bowl after a few minutes, there is a leak.
Can I test to see if the leak is coming from the refill or the flush valve?
Yes. Shut off the water supply to the toilet. Mark the water level on the inside of the tank with a pencil. Check the water level in 10 or 20 minutes. If the water has fallen, you know the flush valve is leaking.
How high should the water level in the toilet tank be?
It needs to be high enough for complete flushes, but it should be belwo the top of the overflow pipe. The tank should have a colored or molded water level mark.
Do you measure the diameter of hard copper the same as soft copper?
No, you measure hard copper with I.D. (inside diameter). You measure soft copper by it O.D. (outside diameter).
How do you measure galvanized pipe?
You measure it by the I.D. (inside diameter).
How do you measure black pipe?
Using the I.D. (inside diameter).