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These are answers that retiredmanvan has provided in Plumbing
| Question/Answer | | violet0019 asked on 07/19/07 - URGENT! Seeking a hose with a sprayer at end to mount onto kitchen sink water spout HELP?! I am having a difficult time - trying to find a hose with a sprayer at the end to be able to mount it onto the water spout of the kitchen sink faucet, so that I can rinse the dishes this way. I know that hairdressers who go to people's homes to do their hair, use them when they wash the client's hair (usually in their kitchen sink). I do not want the type that pulls out of the faucet area. I would appreciate any advice, suggestions and information as I just cannot locate any and have tried so hard. Thank you. retiredmanvan answered on 07/20/07:When in dought always ask a professional. | | Question/Answer | | violet0019 asked on 07/19/07 - URGENT! Seeking a hose with a sprayer at end to mount onto kitchen sink water spout HELP?! I am having a difficult time - trying to find a hose with a sprayer at the end to be able to mount it onto the water spout of the kitchen sink faucet, so that I can rinse the dishes this way. I know that hairdressers who go to people's homes to do their hair, use them when they wash the client's hair (usually in their kitchen sink). I do not want the type that pulls out of the faucet area. I would appreciate any advice, suggestions and information as I just cannot locate any and have tried so hard. Thank you. retiredmanvan answered on 07/19/07:Hello,
In doing a search on line for a " Kitchen Aerator" which is what you are looking for,
you will have no problem finding what you want.
good luck
Van
| | Question/Answer | | ritatazwil asked on 05/17/07 - Water softener constantly discharging water We have a "Miracle Water Water Refining System - Series One" water softener. There is a plastic tube that runs from the softener to the laundry tub. It use to just have water run through it when the system was recharging. Now the water is running through constantly. It is like a tap is opened. I'm trying to find out what we can do to fix this. Calling a plumber is not an option right now. We even tried unplugging the water softener but it did not sto the running water. retiredmanvan answered on 05/19/07:Hello,
If calling a plumber is nit an option right now then you may have to the manufacturer of the system and see if they can tell you what you need to know.
Good luck,
Van | | Question/Answer | | LROY76 asked on 05/10/07 - EASIEST WAY TO TERMINATE AN OUTSIDE WATER FAUCET My grandparent's neighbor has been connecting a water hose to their outside faucet to his home. What would be the easiest way to disconnect or terminate this faucet? retiredmanvan answered on 05/11/07:Hello,
Assuming that your grandparents know this is happening and only with their permission take the handle off of the faucet so it can not be turned on.
Good luck,
Van | | Question/Answer | | webtrain1 asked on 12/13/06 - gas hose What web site can I go to for help on how to install a gas hose for a gas burning stove?
Looking for step by step and diagrams.
How to check for leaks safely? retiredmanvan answered on 12/19/06:
This site is most helpful in learning how stuff works!
Copy and paste this link into your address bar and it will take you to a page that will tell what you want to know.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/search.php
I wish you all the best,
Van
| | Question/Answer | | soccer94 asked on 09/10/06 - digging up main preparing to rent backhoe and do myself, would like some direction around depth of pipe and additional things to anticipate?
Jeff retiredmanvan answered on 09/11/06:This is a job for a professional! There are building code violations involved here and the work will most definately be inspected by a building inspector. so get a building permit and get it done right the first time.
Good luck,
Van | | Question/Answer | | rkapes asked on 05/28/06 - Well Clorinator I just moved into a home with a well, and the water smells sulfery. The well has a clorinator attached, but I don't know what to put in it. I have parrots that drink from the tap and need to make sure what I put in the water system is safe for them. Any suggestions?? retiredmanvan answered on 05/28/06:
If you can find the name of the system or who
installed it they can tell you exactly what to put in it.
good luck,
Van
| | Question/Answer | | ityson904 asked on 03/08/06 - drinking water aerator system we are moving our well water pumps and aerator tank to a new location. the way it is set up now is a jumbled up mess. can you driect me on how best to run the piping from the well to the 1st pump ( and air tank) and into the aerator tank and then to the 2nd pump (and air tank) and into the home.
thanks so much, have looked everywhere for this info and can't seem to find it.
irene retiredmanvan answered on 03/09/06:Hello,
This question is out of my area of expertise.
however Speedball 1 would know exactly how to answer you question.
Sorry I could not help.
I wish you all the best.
Retiredmanvan | | Question/Answer | | tbernazz asked on 01/29/06 - rusted disposal old house, old disposal (10 plus years sears kenmore, now completly rusted around the threads that allow it to be removed. tried wd 40, vinager and force to no avail. any help would be appreciated retiredmanvan answered on 01/29/06:When all else fails use a hack saw. you will be replacing everything with a new disposal any way, Just remember do not cut the sink basin.
All the best Van | | Question/Answer | | marij asked on 08/09/05 - Vent collar When constructing a new home, is it gernerally the responsibility of the plumber or the roofer to install the vent collar on the roof? retiredmanvan answered on 08/09/05:Good Morning,
It has been my experience that the plumber installs the vent collar first then the roofer
installs the roofing around it or them as the case may be.
Now in the case of a re-roofing job the roofer will replace any item associated with the roof
replacement that are attached to the substraight where the roofing will be replaced.
I wish you all the best, Van | | Question/Answer | | curiousz asked on 07/24/05 - Tub crack Another thing... I have 2 very small cracks in my tub, i think it is metal... each crack is less than a cm wide, more like a hole. My friend told me i should use that tub repair kit, and i have it, but the dumb thing is, it didnt have the hardener, only that solvent and sandpaper. So should i just get a whole new kit or is there anything i can use that can replace the hardener? I hear that if u leave this too long it will get bigger and then get very expensive to fix... thanks again.... retiredmanvan answered on 07/24/05:If you are unsure as to what the tub is made of and you want the repair to as perfect as possible I reccommend a company called
" Bath Crest." They are real professionals at repairing and resurfacing tubs, shower stalls, ceramic tile, walls and floors, sinks
metal and porcelin.
They can be found in your yellow pages or on line at www.bathcrest.com
Good luck, Van | | Question/Answer | | DILLIGAS asked on 02/29/04 - Water softener smells What can I add to my solar salt tank to help me get rid of the smell of sulfur that I have in my water?
I have an activated carbon and a resin tank, which is currently set to operate on alternating days.
The smell just started, no creeping in, just one day.
The man who installed the system is charging $480. per tank to replace the AC and Resin. I think that is extreme, and would like to do something to buy me some more time until I can better afford it.
I use the Morton’s Water Softener Salt; Blue Bag; that is in crystal form, I know that the pellets have binders that will cake the inflow and outflow to the salt tank.
Is there an aftermarket solution or additive that I can use to help earn some extra time? Like until after the tax refund comes in?
Thanks,
DILLIGAS
retiredmanvan answered on 03/01/04:Hi Dilligas,
The problem with the smell is that you nee clorination for the well. The simple solution is to add a gallon of clorox to the well until you money comes in and then you need to add a clorinator to the sustem to get rid of the sulpher permanently.
All the best, Van | | Question/Answer | | jbdawson asked on 09/06/03 - My faucet is stuck in the on position! My boyfriend just ran a bath only to find that the hot water tap seems to be completely stuck in the on position. It will no longer turn in either direction, any quick tips for people who have no clue about plumbing whatsoever? As it's a Saturday we're not optimistic about finding a plumber, but would settle for a solution that would conserve water until Monday. We're trying to turn off that water just now and will hopefully manage that but this is proving to be an entirely separate problem. retiredmanvan answered on 09/07/03:When all else fails to get the water turned off call the landlord. He or she will know how and where to cut the water off.
All the best, Van | | Question/Answer | | rovers asked on 07/24/03 - toilet doesn't flush I have the same problem only with my main toilet since we remodled. Toilet doesn't flush all the way. Basement toilet works fine we have redone all of our septic pipes and have run a snake nothing in there. Plunge it and it might work a day or two? Anyone have any ideas? retiredmanvan answered on 07/24/03:You may want to have the vent to that toilet checked.
If it is partially stopped up and can not get enough air this problem will occurr.
You may want to check the flapper in the bottom of the tank to see if it is staying open long enough for the water to run into the bowl.
If the chain is not adjusted properly you can get this problem.
Good luck, Van | | Question/Answer | | mikesoneill asked on 07/22/03 - Speedball1 On my block the sewer lines are not very deep. As a result, many people have had their sewer lines replaced due to roots getting into the line. I am going to replace mine soon. Can you tell me if PVC or Cast Iron is better at keeping out roots. Both are acceptable to the local code and both cost about the same. Thanks. Mike retiredmanvan answered on 07/24/03:In reading your question I would choose the pvc pipes over the cast iron because the cast iron pipes will rust from the inside out.
Underground roots will grow in the joints of either type of pipe.
I wish you all the best, Van | | Question/Answer | | pixel asked on 07/23/03 - Why wont my toilet flush? *UGH!* I've read others questions.. and tried the answers. Here is what's happening. Now it's not just one or our toilets, but both!
Problem: water flows in.. swirls.. goes down ever so slowly until it's almost all out then it stops. It never *glugs* anymore, and stuff doesn't go down unless we plunge and flush repeatedly.
What we've Done: snaked the toilet, plunged with two kinds of plunger, taken the toilet completely up and put down a new seal, still wont work! We've even checked the small hole in the front, but it's clean.
I'm about ready to go buy new toilets cuz we've had this problem for almost 2 months! Does anyone have any insights??
Becky retiredmanvan answered on 07/24/03:Hi Becky;
Is your problem confined to the toilets or is the tub/ shower drains working slowly as well?
It sounds like that you may need to call a plumber to snake out you drain pipes, through the clean out, outside.
Checking the vent for the toilets would be another place to look for the problem.
It seems that there is a rash of drain problems at this time. It may be due to the excess rain that has fallen this year causing a larger root probem inside of drain pipes.
Good luck, Van
| | Question/Answer | | Mark128 asked on 05/06/03 - Possible crack in sewer line I recently had a blocked sewer line so I rented a pipe snake to break up the blockage. Snake would only run about halfway out of the house due to a bend and cleanout half way. My concern now is that I have a sewer like smell as I come in to my family room and I am concerned that maybe the snake cracked the pipe. How can I check for this without cutting up the floor. (NOTE: The blockage was removed about a month ago and have not had a problem until today) retiredmanvan answered on 05/11/03:Hi Mark;
Another possibility is that the snake cutters could have caught a root growing between the pipe connections that it did not grind up, instead the cutter head pulled the root into the pipe and dammaged the pipe its self and along with the root it pulled dirt into the drain pipe causing a clog to back up the sewer line.
Another view point. Good luck, Van
| | Question/Answer | | Cindy71 asked on 04/14/03 - bathroom mildew smell I have a huge problem I can't figure out. First of all, I had sinus surgery about 7 years ago which now causes me to be very, very sensitive to all kinds of smells (not always a good thing).
Anyway, for about 6 months now, every time I turned on the water in the bath tub at home, I would smell a funky mildew smell. I noticed the overflow drain had mildew/mold oozing out of the hole one day (by the way, I never take baths, just showers) and I did my best to toss water in the hole (with lid still on) to remove the mildew/mold. It worked, but it didn't stop the smell. I checked the curtain and found no mildew, but washed the whole tub anyway. That didn't work, so I decided to remove the overflow drain cap and sure enough, the white pipe, was loaded with mold/mildew. I added bleach, vinegar, OxyClean and baking soda to it and scrubed it out (as much as I can). It once again helped, but now, about 2 months later and I can smelled it again. It's much stronger when I turn the hot water on. I've added bleach to the tub drain and it hasn't worked. The smell only occurs when I turn the water on so I'm thinking it has to be coming from the drain, but can't figure out why. I even went down to the basement and took off the ceiling tile (located right below the but drain), and there is a very slow leak (like 2-3 drops per week). About a year ago, we noticed a water stain on the tile (located below the tub drain) so we replaced it and added a shallow plastic plate to catch any drops (to stop the stain). The plate wasn't wet, but there was a calcium water stain on the plate. I know we have to sooner or later repair the leaky pipe, but I don't think that is causing my current problem. The bath tub is made of fiberglass, therefore, unlike grout, mold can't grow without it being obvious.
This is seriously driving me crazy. I've called my husband in the room when the smell is strong, and from time to time he can pick it up, for the most part, he says it's not that bad, but not only do I think it's bad, I want to tear the bathroom apart to fix this little annoying problem.
Could it be coming from the water pipe or simply from the drain and if it is, what can I do to fix it once and for all? I purchased another bottle of bleach yesterday, but I'm not sure how safe pouring bleach down a PVC pipe would be.
Have you heard of mold/mildew growing in drain pipes or do you think it's something else (other than just being something in my head).
Oh, one other thing, in my husband's shower, if he doesn't clean the shower head, there is a redish smily film that covers each and every hole in the shower head... but I've never had that problem in my shower, in fact, I've never experienced seeing any mildew/mold at all.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions you provide. retiredmanvan answered on 04/17/03:You are more than welcome Cindy we are glad to help all in need of answers.
Best of luck, Van | | Question/Answer | | Cindy71 asked on 04/14/03 - bathroom mildew smell I have a huge problem I can't figure out. First of all, I had sinus surgery about 7 years ago which now causes me to be very, very sensitive to all kinds of smells (not always a good thing).
Anyway, for about 6 months now, every time I turned on the water in the bath tub at home, I would smell a funky mildew smell. I noticed the overflow drain had mildew/mold oozing out of the hole one day (by the way, I never take baths, just showers) and I did my best to toss water in the hole (with lid still on) to remove the mildew/mold. It worked, but it didn't stop the smell. I checked the curtain and found no mildew, but washed the whole tub anyway. That didn't work, so I decided to remove the overflow drain cap and sure enough, the white pipe, was loaded with mold/mildew. I added bleach, vinegar, OxyClean and baking soda to it and scrubed it out (as much as I can). It once again helped, but now, about 2 months later and I can smelled it again. It's much stronger when I turn the hot water on. I've added bleach to the tub drain and it hasn't worked. The smell only occurs when I turn the water on so I'm thinking it has to be coming from the drain, but can't figure out why. I even went down to the basement and took off the ceiling tile (located right below the but drain), and there is a very slow leak (like 2-3 drops per week). About a year ago, we noticed a water stain on the tile (located below the tub drain) so we replaced it and added a shallow plastic plate to catch any drops (to stop the stain). The plate wasn't wet, but there was a calcium water stain on the plate. I know we have to sooner or later repair the leaky pipe, but I don't think that is causing my current problem. The bath tub is made of fiberglass, therefore, unlike grout, mold can't grow without it being obvious.
This is seriously driving me crazy. I've called my husband in the room when the smell is strong, and from time to time he can pick it up, for the most part, he says it's not that bad, but not only do I think it's bad, I want to tear the bathroom apart to fix this little annoying problem.
Could it be coming from the water pipe or simply from the drain and if it is, what can I do to fix it once and for all? I purchased another bottle of bleach yesterday, but I'm not sure how safe pouring bleach down a PVC pipe would be.
Have you heard of mold/mildew growing in drain pipes or do you think it's something else (other than just being something in my head).
Oh, one other thing, in my husband's shower, if he doesn't clean the shower head, there is a redish smily film that covers each and every hole in the shower head... but I've never had that problem in my shower, in fact, I've never experienced seeing any mildew/mold at all.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions you provide. retiredmanvan answered on 04/16/03:Hello again Cindy;
To flush your water heater connect your garden hose to the valve located at the base of your water heater.
Then turn the electricity to the water heater
off. Open the valve that the water hose is connected too and let the water run out of the heater until it is clear or about 5 to 10 minutes. be sure that the water hose is placed away from the house and that the water will run away from the house. When the water runs clear cut the valve off at the base of the water heater and disconnect the hose and turn the power back on to the water heater.
When you go from community well water to a municipal water system it takes a long time for the crud that exist in the main water line from the change from well water to city water to clear up. This includes any bacteria
mold mildew or other such related problems associated with the change from one to the other.
Your problems existed with the well water and the clorination is not strong enough at this time to rid you of your problems. The clorination has to meet government standards regulated by The department of environmental control and health department or (DEHC) and your local public service commission.
If your water service provider is Carolina Water service based in Chicago ILL, You can report this problem to them and they should take proper action, Maybe.
Since you have proven that clorox and water reduces the problem and will eventualy illiminate your problem then the only thing left to do is to get a sample of your water at the closest valve to the incoming water line
take it to the health dept. and have it tested. Then contact a water filtering company to get prices on the filtering system
needed to increase your clorination to the incoming water supply so that your problem will go away. I would suggest that you get a meeting of your neighborhood and all of you do like wise.
Water service companies will not disclose all of the facts concerning the purity of your drinking water that's why you have to takes steps on your own to correct these problems, and because the water service company will have to spend major money to correct the problem for you which increase your water and sewer bill greatly.
I wish you all the best. Van
| | Question/Answer | | Cindy71 asked on 04/14/03 - bathroom mildew smell I have a huge problem I can't figure out. First of all, I had sinus surgery about 7 years ago which now causes me to be very, very sensitive to all kinds of smells (not always a good thing).
Anyway, for about 6 months now, every time I turned on the water in the bath tub at home, I would smell a funky mildew smell. I noticed the overflow drain had mildew/mold oozing out of the hole one day (by the way, I never take baths, just showers) and I did my best to toss water in the hole (with lid still on) to remove the mildew/mold. It worked, but it didn't stop the smell. I checked the curtain and found no mildew, but washed the whole tub anyway. That didn't work, so I decided to remove the overflow drain cap and sure enough, the white pipe, was loaded with mold/mildew. I added bleach, vinegar, OxyClean and baking soda to it and scrubed it out (as much as I can). It once again helped, but now, about 2 months later and I can smelled it again. It's much stronger when I turn the hot water on. I've added bleach to the tub drain and it hasn't worked. The smell only occurs when I turn the water on so I'm thinking it has to be coming from the drain, but can't figure out why. I even went down to the basement and took off the ceiling tile (located right below the but drain), and there is a very slow leak (like 2-3 drops per week). About a year ago, we noticed a water stain on the tile (located below the tub drain) so we replaced it and added a shallow plastic plate to catch any drops (to stop the stain). The plate wasn't wet, but there was a calcium water stain on the plate. I know we have to sooner or later repair the leaky pipe, but I don't think that is causing my current problem. The bath tub is made of fiberglass, therefore, unlike grout, mold can't grow without it being obvious.
This is seriously driving me crazy. I've called my husband in the room when the smell is strong, and from time to time he can pick it up, for the most part, he says it's not that bad, but not only do I think it's bad, I want to tear the bathroom apart to fix this little annoying problem.
Could it be coming from the water pipe or simply from the drain and if it is, what can I do to fix it once and for all? I purchased another bottle of bleach yesterday, but I'm not sure how safe pouring bleach down a PVC pipe would be.
Have you heard of mold/mildew growing in drain pipes or do you think it's something else (other than just being something in my head).
Oh, one other thing, in my husband's shower, if he doesn't clean the shower head, there is a redish smily film that covers each and every hole in the shower head... but I've never had that problem in my shower, in fact, I've never experienced seeing any mildew/mold at all.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions you provide. retiredmanvan answered on 04/14/03:Hi Cindy;
This is a problem in lots of homes. If you are on well water you may need to chrolinate your water supply. If you are on what is called city water you may need to add a water filtration system to you incoming water supply. I did this and stopped my problem dead cold.
Because you are having this problem you have got water standing for prolonged periods where it should drain out and be gone.
I would get the advice of an licensed and experienced plumber in this case for your piece of mind.
The smell from the hot water is coming from your hot water heater which in turn is coming from your incoming water supply.
Good Luck, Van
| | Question/Answer | | DILLIGAS asked on 03/22/03 - Serial or Parallel Second Hot Water Heater Instllation I replaced an aging Hot Water Heater in my house about two years ago. The unit that was in place was a Pennsylvania-White 82 Gallon, Electric dinosaur. I replaced it with an American Water Company 46.5 Gallon Electric Water Heater; (Model E61-50L-045DV). Now I am running into a problem. I now have a child and the needs of hot water have gone up drastically. Additionally, if we have another, then they ill go through the roof in the future.
I would like to put in another exactly similar model. (I have access to a distributor of these HWH’s and can get them at cost, so that may rule out having plumber do the work for a reasonable amount.) I would place it in a walk in closet in the Master Bedroom, (This happens to be the location of the other unit, and is the exact center of the house. Additionally, all the plumbing and access via the attic and crawlspace is radially convenient.)
OK, the house is a ingle story rancher, 3 full baths, two standard tubs and one spa in those three baths. A single washer and one kitchen sink. The piping is ¾ inch copper to all the main runs in the house.
I am on a well system with a 2.5 HP Pump, 95 Gallon Pressure Tank, Water Softener, Resin Exchange System.
My main question is:
Should I install the HWH in parallel or serial? Mainly, I am confused as to the benefits of doing it one way to the other. By doing it serial, I would be heating the water that comes in one unit, and then passing that water off to the next one where the heating would be minimal. Additionally, I would not deplete my hot water as radially, because I am not putting cold water into both of the HWH’s
The location is wonderful. The old HWH was located on the top of a closet in the Walk-In Closet, under it was a safe, and I removed the old, and fit the new HWH into the space that the safe was in. Now if I add an additional HWH, then I would just place it on top, frame and rock the area around it, and benefit from the insulation properties of the enclosure, and the benefit of the esthetics of it not being seen, as the other is enclosed now also.
Any information that I can get on the benefits of either parallel or serial installation of the second HWH would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
DILLIGAS
retiredmanvan answered on 03/22/03:Good Morning Dilligas;
Is there a reason that you prefer two water heaters to equal what one 80 gallon water heater will do ?
Two water heaters will be less cost effective in electricity than one 80 gallon water heater will and the maintainance will be more expensive in parts.
If you have the space 1, 80 gallon heater will be more efficent and cost effective.
A lot of power companies offer incentives to use 80 gallon or higher water heaters by installing a unit to cut off the power to the water heater during peak hours of the day and night to conserve energy. This will reduce your power bill and you will not know the difference in the amount of hot water temperature.
They offer the same deal with heat pumps also.
If you especially want two water heaters the best hook up is in series. One heater heats the water and the other keeps it hot.
Thanks for the question. Van |
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