How much higher would a water utility bill be with a toilet that runs 24 hours a day? [more inside]
posted on Aug 9, 2008 - 11 answers

Help me best attack a clogged vent stack. [more inside]
posted on Jul 22, 2008 - 11 answers

I just moved into a new apartment. The shower head looks like this. I am not used to using this kind of shower head, as I always had the kind with a long hose. I hate this shower head because it sprays water on me constantly when I shave my legs. Anyway, I want a long hose, but the apartment has very strict rules about replacing the shower head. They even do periodic check-ins to make sure it hasn't been replaced! So, is there any sort of product that I could just fit over the current shower head without doing any actual replacing of it?
posted on Jul 4, 2008 - 23 answers

AskMe, I need a new toilet! The one we have now just isn't cutting it, so to speak... [more inside]
posted on Jul 2, 2008 - 20 answers

what's-it-called-filter: I want to add a water spigot for gardening away from the house, rather than having it come directly out of the wall. What should I be searching/asking for?! [more inside]
posted on Jun 18, 2008 - 8 answers

Bathroom remodel question: does one really need a bathtub? [more inside]
posted on Jun 16, 2008 - 51 answers

My toilet blocks repeatedly, what to do? [more inside]
posted on Jun 11, 2008 - 20 answers

What in the world is wrong with our bathroom shower? [more inside]
posted on May 30, 2008 - 12 answers

Should I use helpful bacteria to unclog shower and bath drains? [more inside]
posted on May 18, 2008 - 13 answers

Help! We're drowning in orange rinds, onion skins, and a mishmash of left overs! [more inside]
posted on May 14, 2008 - 12 answers

Looking for a low profile bath room faucet. One handle controls only please. [more inside]
posted on Feb 28, 2008 - 3 answers

Plumbing enabled folks please read on. My exterior sump pump installed at bottom of the stairway landing outside my walk down basement is working itself out of its hole. I need a sanity check on the contractor's planned repair. [more inside]
posted on Jan 3, 2008 - 11 answers

Following-up on my previous question...We now have some noise in the pipes. [more inside]
posted on Dec 30, 2007 - 3 answers

Why does my upstairs shower run out of hot water long before the one downstairs? I only have one water heater... [more inside]
posted on Dec 29, 2007 - 17 answers

How do I circumvent the wildly variable water pressure and temperature in my apartment building? [more inside]
posted on Dec 9, 2007 - 9 answers

I was a bit inspired by this post to think about what kinds of composting toilets are available for a poured-concrete apartment building in the middle of an urban area. Am I nuts for even thinking of it? Even if I could, wouldn't the stench ruin us? Or what are the technological barriers preventing these systems from being smaller than they are? [more inside]
posted on Dec 7, 2007 - 8 answers

There are tree roots growing in my sewer line. It was snaked last year, and we've put copper sulfate down the line a couple times since, but we're having backups again. I plan on a DIY approach this time around because I really can't afford a plumber. Read on, and tell me: what are the flaws in my plan? [more inside]
posted on Nov 26, 2007 - 21 answers

Any plumbing jedi masters out there? Our toilet cistern drips and it's DRIVING US CRAZY!! [more inside]
posted on Nov 11, 2007 - 8 answers

FlushFilter:Toilet has a lazy flush (i.e. going down slowly) - I think the problem might be a clog that is bulding up, but a plunger and closet auger (i.e. a snake) don't seem to do the trick. What now? [more inside]
posted on Oct 22, 2007 - 18 answers

How do I eliminate noise from 20ft of 3in PVC exhaust pipe without reducing pipe diameter or airflow? [more inside]
posted on Oct 9, 2007 - 8 answers

I remember reading about a device that measures the temperature of the water at a bath or shower faucet and opens the water valve when the temperature reaches a preset temperature. Purpose is to reduce water wastage while one is waiting for the warm water to reach the bathroom from the tank. Can anyone link me to this product?
posted on Sep 24, 2007 - 6 answers

Is there some sort of cap that can be put on a rooftop sewer vent to prevent to people from throwing stuff down it? My roommates and I recently endured a prolonged plumbing disaster (other people's sewage bubbling up in our toilets and tubs, flooded hallways, bailing out tubs and toilets with garbage cans at 3 a.m., etc.) and we are eager to avert a future crisis. The plumbers finally discovered large pieces of wood in our pipe, which we can only assume were thrown down from the roof, since they seem impossible to flush. There is easy access to the roof of our four-story building, and we're not interested in having some drunken putz foul up our plumbing again.
posted on Sep 17, 2007 - 9 answers

Tell me about buying faucets for a restaurant-style kitchen. [more inside]
posted on Aug 31, 2007 - 9 answers

When I turn the cold water tap, the faucets in my upstairs bathroom are putting out room temperature water. How do I fix this? [more inside]
posted on Aug 23, 2007 - 15 answers

How Much to Replace Copper Gas Lines in a small house? [more inside]
posted on Aug 7, 2007 - 14 answers

We need to either repair or replace the toilet flange. If you'll look at the photos you will see that there is also a fairly decent sized hole in the foundation from when the flange was replaced before or when it was installed. I have several questions that I'm hoping one of you mefites can help me with since I'm completely clueless about plumbing. [more inside]
posted on Jul 23, 2007 - 6 answers

I want to fear my toilet. Have a seat and grab the sports section while I explain. [more inside]
posted on Jul 23, 2007 - 14 answers

Is my toilet about to crack into two pieces? [more inside]
posted on Jul 17, 2007 - 23 answers

What's the smell coming from my sink, shower and dishwasher? [more inside]
posted on Jul 9, 2007 - 8 answers

How do I replace a shower/tub faucet? [more inside]
posted on Jul 7, 2007 - 8 answers

What is this strange object attached to my basement floor? [more inside]
posted on Jul 1, 2007 - 23 answers

I have a toilet that doesn't flush well. Can you help me fix it? [more inside]
posted on Jun 8, 2007 - 16 answers

Why/how did metal bathroom fixtures "sting" me? [more inside]
posted on May 28, 2007 - 12 answers

What summer job should I get in Austin, TX with this new mixed bag of construction and maintenance skills? And how on earth do I go about getting it? [more inside]
posted on May 24, 2007 - 2 answers

Why is the water pressure in my house so variable? [more inside]
posted on Apr 12, 2007 - 6 answers

How long would a 3/4 inch inner diameter pipe need to be to hold exactly 27 gallons of water? [more inside]
posted on Mar 22, 2007 - 33 answers

I need some plumbing help. The drain from our kitchen sink is clogged, and we're trying to fix it DIY-style. [more inside]
posted on Mar 18, 2007 - 9 answers

I have a dual sink with a disposal, and something is causing the water to back up into the other sink. [more inside]
posted on Feb 26, 2007 - 13 answers

PlumbingFilter: Just had a portion of the main waste line (aka sewer line) from our house replaced. Now the two lowest "drains" feeding that line are having trouble. [more inside]
posted on Jan 17, 2007 - 8 answers

It's 4 am and I just woke up to a bathroom full of water. I'm renting in the Sierra's and it's been really cold, so one of the pipes burst and started leaking (the heat was on and I was home all day, though..). I called the emergency plumbers and they came to turn off the water. Now the situation is under control. How do I break this to my landlord? Should I call her now or can it wait till morning?
posted on Jan 14, 2007 - 10 answers

How can I turn off a hot-water radiator to avoid heating a room I never use? [more inside]
posted on Jan 11, 2007 - 20 answers

Plumbing question. Bring your knowledge of water use. [more inside]
posted on Jan 3, 2007 - 16 answers

Which is safest, hot or cold water from the tap? [more inside]
posted on Nov 9, 2006 - 20 answers

A water main leak was repaired in front of our house. Our facets spewed muddy water. Now possibly contaminated dirt is settled in the water pipes. Health and mechanical/structural risk of dirt and debris settled in water pipes? If, and how to remove? Where for water sample test? How to deal with the Water co. on liabilities? Attorney recommendation? [more inside]
posted on Nov 8, 2006 - 5 answers

What can I do about a strong, moldy odor that seems to be coming from my kitchen sink or disposer? [more inside]
posted on Oct 5, 2006 - 16 answers

How do I ground copper water pipes to old iron water pipes? [more inside]
posted on Sep 28, 2006 - 5 answers

How to fix the drain of my kitchen sink? [more inside]
posted on Sep 26, 2006 - 4 answers

Can I replace the water pressure regulator in my home by myself or do I have to have a licensed plumber do it? [more inside]
posted on Sep 24, 2006 - 7 answers

I have an Epic faucet that's never been used. The company hasn't existed in 12 years (it was a Delta company, but they can't help me). The box is missing a mixing tee that would connect the hot/cold hoses to the central spout, so right now all I have is a few chunks of metal that vaguely resemble a nice faucet. The difficulty in building a tee to match is that the pipe coming down from the spout seems to be proprietary: it's not quite 3/8" pipe, and it's not quite 1/2" compression (but it's very close). How can I create a custom fitting to match what I need? Is there anyone in NYC that can machine a part like this at a reasonable price? Could a piece that would marry up to it somehow be cast from the thread? I recognize it's a longshot and a waste of time and energy, but I really want to use this fixture.
posted on Sep 23, 2006 - 10 answers

Can I safely use stearic acid & rosin flux when I sweat copper pipe? [more inside]
posted on Sep 1, 2006 - 4 answers