Found 137 results for the keyword ‘Plumbing’

• How do you stop shower scalding?

  It may surprise you, but more accidents happen in the shower when the shower suddenly goes cold, than when it suddenly goes hot. It seems that we just jump higher. But neither shock is agreeable, or safe. That's why all new plumbing installations require something called a "Pressure Balancing va...

• The low flush toilet controversy & MaP toilet testing

  (This is a real good example of a living history. I wrote the first part of this entry in 2001. With a book you would have to wait for the next edition for developments. With a bulletin board you would have to read a lot of old entries. What I love about my web site is that I can change, adapt an...

• WHERE SHOULD I SEAL AND HOW?

  The smoke test described in the previous answer should be used to verify the presence of typical leaks and discover those peculiar to your own house. Before sealing, read the section on Ventilation to avoid any future condensation problems. The leaks high in the house are not necessarily the lar...

• Frost Protected Shallow Foundations -- and water pipes

  Frost Protected Shallow Foundations The foundation for a house is generally poured below the soil grade level so that the footing itself is well below the frost depth for any given region and soil type.  This protects the house from frost heaving caused by expanding soils beneath the foundation....

• Copper versus PEX plumbing pipes.

  Copper is a trusted and proven piping for residential water systems.  For years people have been interested in one form or another of more flexible plastic or mixed metal/plastic pipes that could be snaked through a house with fewer joints and easier installation.  Unfortunately there have been m...

• Adjusting the Posi-Temp temperature control shower valves.

  Dan from Toronto, Ontario writes: "I saw your show about installing the Moen Positemp shower system. We had two installed, one upstairs and one in our basement shower. Both work fine for controlling the "shock" factor, but we can't seem to get enough hot water out of the upstairs one. Is there a ...

• All kinds of water flow problems.

  Several viewers are complaining about low water pressure in old houses. Old steel pipe tends to collect corrosion and calcium on the walls, enough to slowly choke off the flow of water. A look at the graphic shows what happens to water flow compared to a clean new 1/2 inch pipe. When it becomes r...

• Stopping sewage back-up in the basement floor

  INSPECT, MAINTAIN OR INSTALL BACKFLOW DAMPERS UNDER THE BASEMENT FLOOR BEFORE DOING ANY RENOVATION WORK IN A BASEMENT. Installing a backflow valve between you and the city requires cutting into the concrete floor.  With our changing weather, this valve is almost always necssary and generally cod...

• Notches in Floor Joists

  It is best not to cut holes in floor joists, but when you must there are some important rules to follow. Never cut into the top of the bottom of the joist. If you do the entire joist is now no stronger than the wood that is left. Always cut holes in the centre of the joist, closer to the suppor...

• Should a washing machine drain into a sump pump?

  No. I am sorry about that, Reese from Ingersol, Ontario.  The washing machine puts out far too much water far too fast for a sump pump to be able to carry it away. Also there is always a bit of lint in the drain water, which will eventually plug up the sump pump filter. In addition the soap can...