Home Plumbing

Residential fire sprinklers are part of a home disaster plan. Fire extinguishers require human intervention; automatic sprinklers lower homeowners insurance premiums.

Nov 17, 2009 - Kelly Smith

The maze of CPVC, PEX tube, copper, and galvanized iron delivers potable water to the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry. It looks like a jigsaw puzzle but it's logical.

Oct 8, 2009 - Kelly Smith

The garbage disposal is one of the handiest kitchen appliances. Mounted in the countertop sink drain, this plumbing fixture must be clear, sanitary, and working properly.

Jul 9, 2009 - Kelly Smith

There are three types of hot water heaters: tankless (instant), solar, and the tank (or storage). This article is focused on basic tank-type repairs and maintenance.

Jul 2, 2009 - Kelly Smith

A wobbly toilet or a commode leaking at the floor usually requires replacing the wax ring that forms a seal between the bathroom plumbing fixture and the sewer system.

Apr 28, 2009 - Kelly Smith

Hard water causes plumbing problems with scale from mineral deposits of calcium, lime, and magnesium, affecting hot water heater efficiency and making rinsing difficult.

Mar 22, 2009 - Kelly Smith

PEX tubing, connected by fittings and manifolds, are giving copper and galvanized pipe a challenge. Great for DIY, some connections don't requires a plumber's license.

Mar 3, 2009 - Kelly Smith

Residential plumbing is an interconnected maze of pipes, galvanized steel, copper, and plastic (usually PVC). Degeneration results in repiping or internal epoxy coating.

Feb 24, 2009 - Kelly Smith

The P-trap is essential for the operation of kitchen and bathroom sinks, where most plumbing clogs occur, requiring drain cleaners. Now there's a self-cleaning option.

Jan 26, 2009 - Kelly Smith

Drinking water purification systems are a component of a healthy lifestyle. Some impurities they remove: pesticides, lead, arsenic, germs, benzene, cadmium, and mercury.

Jan 10, 2009 - Kelly Smith

It's always important to lower that utility bill payment. Hot water is much of the bill, so it's a good place for savings. Passive and active solar heaters do that well.

Nov 2, 2008 - Kelly Smith

In each home, sink faucets will fail. Learn how to determine what kind of faucet needs to be repaired and how to replace washers, O-rings, cartridges, and diaphragms.

Jan 3, 2008 - Kelly Smith

Freezing winter weather brings Christmas fun and frozen pipes. How to prevent frozen water pipes with insulation and how to thaw water pipes with a hair dryer or heat gun

Nov 2, 2007 - Kelly Smith

How to diagnose and fix toilet problems including not flushing completely, filling slowly, and a stopped up toilet. Why low flow toilets can be a problem.

Oct 1, 2007 - Kelly Smith

You can repair a leaking faucet in your bathroom or kitchen by replacing the washer and using a washer seat dressing tool. Avoid a costly plumber visit.

Aug 20, 2007 - Kelly Smith

Clear a clogged sink or bathroom bathtub drain with a plunger or by disassembling the plumbing, cleaning it, and reassembling the down pipe and p-trap using Teflon tape.

Aug 17, 2007 - Kelly Smith

This article compares the energy efficiency of a tankless water heater to a conventional storage water heater. Both electric and gas units save energy and save money.

Aug 1, 2007 - Kelly Smith

While many homeowners may associate outdoors showers with the ocean, an outdoor garden shower can have several practical uses.

Jan 28, 2010 - Sarabeth Asaff

Homeowners installing a new shower may not realize that they have a choice of shower valves. Thermostatic and pressure balance valves offer homeowners choice and control.

Jan 28, 2010 - Sarabeth Asaff

Homeowners remodeling a bathroom design may find the help they need in selecting a bathroom vanity or toilet in plumbing showrooms rather than plumbing supply stores.

Dec 29, 2009 - Sarabeth Asaff

Whether purchasing a new home, or hoping to install a performance shower system, it's important to understand the home's water pressure and what it can mean.

Dec 22, 2009 - Sarabeth Asaff

How much will a new furnance cost? What is the difference between different models? A simple guide to replacing a furnace for a forced air heating system.

Oct 23, 2009 - Deborah Percy

T.R.V.s, timers, and thermostats for heating and hot water should save money on fuel bills, reduce carbon emissions and are mandatory for new heating systems.

Sep 30, 2009 - Deborah Percy

Finding a plumber, heat engineer or even a reputable builder who is not too busy to give a quotation for new work can be a problem. Where to look and how to assess them.

Sep 30, 2009 - Deborah Percy

How much will a new boiler cost? What is the difference between all those boilers? A simple guide to replacing an old boiler or install a new central heating system.

Sep 30, 2009 - Deborah Percy

How much will it cost to buy a new boiler? Installing a new boiler is highly regulated work, so the customer can be sure of what to expect from a quailfied gas engineer.

Sep 27, 2009 - Deborah Percy

High Efficiency (HE) is achieved by A and B rated condensing boilers these are now mandatory, with a few exceptions. A new central heating system will be cheaper to run.

Sep 24, 2009 - Deborah Percy

Today's shower contains more than a shower valve and a shower head. Performance showers take bathing to an entirely new level.

Sep 18, 2009 - Sarabeth Asaff

Your bathroom design is coming together, now it's time to really have it take shape.

Sep 11, 2009 - Sarabeth Asaff

Renovations and home improvement can be a daunting task. This step-by-step guide will help begin the bathroom design process.

Sep 11, 2009 - Sarabeth Asaff

Combination boilers are very popular with many benefits and some disadvantages. It is essential to choose the right model for hot water & heating in any home.

Sep 10, 2009 - Deborah Percy

Since 1996 it has been mandatory for UK landlords to have all gas appliances checked annually, including water heaters, gas boilers, gas fires, gas cookers and pipe work.

Aug 25, 2009 - Deborah Percy

A gas boiler should be serviced annually to keep it working efficiently and safely. What is involved? How long will it take? What should it cost? Who can do it?

Aug 25, 2009 - Deborah Percy

Before calling a plumber, try using Tide powder detergent to unclog a problem drain. It can be an inexpensive way to fix a clogged sink.

Aug 25, 2009 - Claudia M. Lenart

Why wait for a plumber? Use these easy-to-follow instructions for unclogging a sink, bathtub or toilet and save on home repairs.

Aug 24, 2009 - Simone Preuss

Tankless gas water heaters are energy-efficient. However there are some "gotchas" that can make them unsuitable for some situations.

Jun 29, 2009 - Yuen Kit Mun

DIYers: plumb in a household reverse osmosis (RO) water filter system in hours. How to choose, size, connect and maintain a filter adequate for your needs.

Apr 22, 2009 - George Daleiden

Retrofit an existing shower with a massage showerhead and bring the relaxing benefits of hydro massage and the spa experience home to your bathroom.

Feb 10, 2009 - Elaine Petrowski

Registration of those carrying out gas work has been compulsory for almost two decades, due to the dangers posed by gas: explosion, carbon monoxide poisoning and death.

Feb 9, 2009 - Deborah Percy

Owning a home can be scary when funds are tight and faucets begin to leak. Here's how to take care of that leaky faucet on your own. Do it yourself and save big!

Feb 6, 2009 - Vicki F. Chavis

A recent, readily available quick connector allows almost anyone to be able to make plumbing repairs and upgrades.

Feb 4, 2009 - Albert Burchsted

In either new construction, renovations or touch-ups, installing a new sink is a good way to give a bathroom a facelift.

Jul 29, 2008 - Sara Gray