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 27, 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 11, 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 4, 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 2, 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 2, 2007 - Kelly Smith