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Name: Larry
Subject: Hot Water Too Hot,
Question: Just bought an old house and the electric water heater gets too hot. Both thermostats are turned down to warm, but the longer it is on the hotter it gets. The top element comes on first at 240v then switches to the bottom element at 240v like normal, but when the lower element goes off 0v half of the upper element comes back on 120v and it stays that way and continues to get hotter. I changed both thermostats with used thermostats just to try it and it does the same thing. I don't think this is right, is it? Or should I buy a new upper thermostat because I don't think the upper element could have anything to do with it, do you? Thanks for your help. Larry
Answer: Hello
Something is wired wrong, once to temperature it should stay off to come back on at 120v is wrong. The thermostat needs to be changed out. Never use used parts I always figure.
I would try this and double check your wiring.
Let me know.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: Tom
Subject: Low water pressure
Question: Hello Again, What is the best way to flush lines without water pressure?
Follow-up To
Question -
Hello, I have been having low pressure since working on a well system. I have a submersible pump and cased well with a bladder tank. The pump is running fine the pressure at tank goes right up to 50# and shuts off like it should and holds pressure. Had to repair a leak in line near the pit less adapter. The pump was running a lot on and off repeatedly, so I repaired the line the next day. Since then if 1 or more faucets is on there is no water pressure. It took a long time to get any water to come out when the pump was turned back on. Please help, and it is appreciated, plumbers charge like Doctors around here and may take several days to get a reliable one out. Thanks in advance!
Answer -
Hello
I would check the pipe to pressure gauge make sure it did not get partially plugged, giving you a false reading.
What is your turn on pressure, or how long does pump run before it starts, should have a draw down time or so many GPM. Also make sure all aerators on faucets are clear of debris.
When you work on plumbing, you need to flush pipes to house before re-instating, you would be surprised as to how much debris is in pipes, when shut off even for a few minutes and water is turned back on it comes loose.
Plumbers that charge like DRS. they are cheap.
We charge like attorneys!!! The difference between us and attorneys is if we can't get the job done we do not charge.
Have you ever seen an attorney who lost a case say NO CHARGE.
Just my humor.
Hope this helps if not let me know, What you tried and we will go from there.
DB www.espmetro.com
Answer: HI
I would use air pressure, I used to carry a CO 2 tank on truck for blowing out crud. I would disconnect a faucet then blow backwards towards pump. Having opened a line by Pump so all would discharge there.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: Neil
Subject: Vibration noise in pipe
Question: Hello,
Could you please help to explain the vibration noise in our pipe. When the water is turn on from any faucet in the house, there is loud vibration in the pipe. I tried to locate the sound to any particular location but could not pin-point to any place (somewhere behind the wall). The noise appears regularly especially at night but sometimes disappear during day time. I tried to drain the system by shutting off the main valve and then let the water out from each faucet until dripping from the lowest outlet, closed the faucets and then turn the main valve on. Turned each faucet on one-by-one so all the air came out of the system. The noise disappeared for a while but after some use, it came back. I talked to a local plumber, and he was not sure. He think it could be due to a faulty "pressure reducing Valve". He would charge a fairly high fee to come out to have a look and make no warranty that the problem could be fixed.
I would like to get a second opinion about the problem and hope that you could help. Please comment on the problem.
If it is due to a faulty pressure reducing valve, would it be easy to replace or it need ssome special tools and requires service from a professional? How much would it cost to fix it so I would have a rough idea. Thank you in advance
Best Regard
Neil
Answer: HELLO
When you say it starts at night is this when no one is using water is the sound there or only when using water.
Pressure reducing valves normally can be adjusted, have you tried to reduce pressure a little.
Have you checked out fill valves/ball cocks on toilets can also be a problem. Usually the toilet leaks a little water thru flapper at night and then toilet refills and noise appears as you would think no one is using water.
As far as prices go I like to remain neutral on that as everyone has there own pricing due to overhead cost and different variables.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: Richard snipes
Subject: Tub/Shower hot water knob
Question: I went to turn off the hot water yesterday and i turned the knob all the way down and it didn’t seem to do anything, so i did the logical thing and hit it with a hammer. (not too professional but ok) then i took the knob apart and couldn’t get it to stop running. I don’t know what to do besides changing faucet and knobs, the only problem is that there is tile backing on the tub, is there a way to replace them without hiring a pro like yourself. All i have done so far is turn off the pump and hot water heater.
Thanks in advance
RKS
Answer: HELLO
Not sure how bad you wrecked it, what is the brand name of faucet, a little more details please.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: Debbie
Subject: Low pressure in one faucet
Question: I have very little water pressure from the cold water faucet of my shower. The hot water pressure is fine. The cold water pressure from other faucets are also fine.
I have removed the shower head and cleaned out the gunk and let both the hot and cold water run without the shower head. This did not help.
I have my house on the market and do not wish to make any expensive upgrades.
I would appreciate any help.
Thank you.
Answer: Hello
I would have to recommend a faucet rebuild, It could just have some lime build up on cold side or if a single handle the cartridge needs replaced, this is where I would start.
Let me know if you need some more help.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: Dave
Subject: Shower leak inside wall
Question: Thanks for the answer! Unfortunately the problem appears to be something else. I have access to the bottom of the tub through a closet ceiling on the floor below. I get a steady stream of water dripping down when the diverter valve is closed. With the diverter valve open I get the occasional drip but that could be residual. I have looked at the caulking under the spout as a possible trouble area, but it is not the issue. Could one of my solder joints have gone bad after all these years or is there something in the diverter valve that might be the issue? Peering through the valve/shower head cut out holes is not answering the question.
-------------------------
Follow-up To
Question -
After 25 years without a problem my shower/tub plumbing has developed a leak when the shower is running. It is somewhere behind the wall. I have eliminated the faucets and drain as a cause but am stumped as to what else I can do prior to riping a hole in the wall. Any suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks!
Answer -
HELLO
Have you checked your grouting and caulking, if ceramic tile, after prolonged use it loses its glaze and water will penetrate the tile, The caulking around tub spout, handles are another problem. Check those areas. Also along floor the water will run along tub edge and onto floor, These are some of the most common.
DB www.espmetro.com
Answer: Hello
If a copper joint is bad they usually leak all the time on the pressure side. If it leaks when you turn on, then the is the possibility of the faucet packings are bad on diverter. A faucet rebuild or new diverter could solve the problem.
Let me know.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: Maria
Subject: Toilet repair
Question: Hello,
We have an American Standard Toilet. Recently, we had our water turned off while our water system was being repaired. When we flushed the upstairs toilet, it gurgled and has not been the same since. We didn't realize that there was probably air in the lines. Anyhow, when flushing the water level is normal. However, when the bowl should be filling up, the water seems to shut off. I don't understand why it would rise up while flushing, then just not fill back up. Everything seems to look okay, but I'm sure I am missing something. I would appreciate any information or advise you could give me.
Thanks,
Maria
Answer: Hello
Sounds like all of the debris in plumbing ended up at the fill valve/ballcock on that toilet, I would change out ballcock and when doing flush the plumbing into a bucket at that supply line going to toilet, this happens a lot after water has been turned off then back on.
Hope this helps,
DB www.espmetro.com
You just answered the following question:
Name: Paige Schmidt
Subject: backwater coming from faucets and toilets
Question: City Water, Electric water heater. They used plastic to repipe. The water coming out of all the faucets has a metal and or bad egg smell, but only that tub and toilets has the soot coming out of them. It is almost as if the toilets and that tub are on a separate water supply. Is that possible? The showers and other tub sometimes have a strong metal smell to the water. This is a recent event about two weeks and slowly becoming common. The house was repiped two years ago. Nothing new has been done recently. Could it be the city is flushing something and the water supply lines need to be flushed as well?
-------------------------
Follow-up To
Question -
The house is 30 years old. We repiped 2 years ago when we remodeled the upstairs bath that has the tub that the faucet has the soot coming out of. The tub has off and on had a minimal amount of the soot coming out, but if we let the water run the soot disappeared. Now the soot is constant and there is lots of it. The toilet tanks are full of the soot as well which means the flushing is causing the toilet water to be black as well.
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
There is black soot (oily like substance) coming through our upstairs tub faucet and all three toilets in the house. The water appears gray or black and then you can see the black soot settle in the bottom of the tub and toilets. The substance/black water does not come out of the sink faucets or the other shower/tub. What could it be, how do we fix it?
Answer -
Hello
How old is house?
DB www.espmetro.com
Answer -
Hello
When you repiped what did they use for material? copper or plastic.
I do not see how it can come out of part of the house and not every faucet.
Well water or city water? Electric water heater or gas? Name brand too. Sorry I should have asked these questions before.
DB www.espmetro.com
Answer: Hello
Bad egg smell or sulphur smell is usually associated with water heater, anode rod. If you have a single handle faucet that is bad it could be recirculating hot water into cold system and showing up on the toilets. The problem is when an anode rod goes bad or needs to be changed out they can be as expensive as a new heater. Depending on age of heater. Usually this smell occurs as a bacteria build up in the water heater itself due to a low temperature setting. I have had to change anode rods on heaters that were only a couple of months old. When I removed a grabbed by hand I could not believe the crap on them. You can remove them and not install a new, If heater is over 10 years old, You might want to explore that avenue. If you change out anode rod ask plumber to show you. We usually flush heater at that time with chlorine to kill bacteria in heater and plumbing, that’s why it could get spendy.
Let me know.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: Chris
Subject: Galvanized Steal to ABS Pipe connection
Question: My wife and I are in the process of removing a vanity and sink from her bathroom. The pipe connection between the sink tailpipe (including p-trap) and the wall stub, which is galvanized steal, was made using black plastic tubing (I assume is ABS). I want to remove the ABS pipe entirely so that all I have left is the steal stub coming out of the wall. What is the best way to break that connection? The wall stub extends from the wall about 4" to 5".
When we replace her sink, should I use ABS or PVC to reconnect to the wall stub? What kind of pipe cement will I need for that connection?
Just a little background info. We live in Northern Virginia. The house is just over 20-years old. This is a DIY project for us. I haven't got much experience with plumbing connections but am pretty capable with most home repair projects if someone can point me in the right direction.
Thanks,
Chris
Answer: Hello
The stub out being galvanized at that point should have a trap adapter. Sometimes no trap adapters were used and the connection was made by just a slip joint nut and washer and plastic pipe inserted into galvanized. When you remove there should be a threaded end on pipe. Should just unscrew. Take apart about anyway you want.
You can adapt with a no hub clamp OR with a trap adapter and then reinstall a new trap all connections from that point would be a slip joint connection.
Always use the right connections when joining 2 dissimilar materials.
LET ME KNOW.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: Paige Schmidt
Subject: black water coming from faucets and toilets
Question: The water heater was replaced when we repiped. The biggest issue for us right now is the black water and soot. Can you give me any insight as to what the greasy black stuff could be? If not, do you think I should call a plumber or a water quality person? Are you saying that the water heater could be causing the black soot as well as the metal smell?
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
City Water, Electric water heater. They used plastic to repipe. The water coming out of all the faucets has a metal and or bad egg smell, but only that tub and toilets has the soot coming out of them. It is almost as if the toilets and that tub are on a separate water supply. Is that possible? The showers and other tub sometimes have a strong metal smell to the water. This is a recent event about two weeks and slowly becoming common. The house was repiped two years ago. Nothing new has been done recently. Could it be the city is flushing something and the water supply lines need to be flushed as well?
-------------------------
Follow-up To
Question -
The house is 30 years old. We repiped 2 years ago when we remodeled the upstairs bath that has the tub that the faucet has the soot coming out of. The tub has off and on had a minimal amount of the soot coming out, but if we let the water run the soot disappeared. Now the soot is constant and there is lots of it. The toilet tanks are full of the soot as well which means the flushing is causing the toilet water to be black as well.
-------------------------
Follow-up To
Question -
There is black soot (oily like substance) coming through our upstairs tub faucet and all three toilets in the house. The water appears grey or black and then you can see the black soot settle in the bottom of the tub and toilets. The substance/black water does not come out of the sink faucets or the other shower/tub. What could it be, how do we fix it?
Answer -
Hello
How old is house?
DB www.espmetro.com
Answer -
Hello
When you repiped what did they use for material? copper or plastic.
I do not see how it can come out of part of the house and not every faucet.
Well water or city water? Electric water heater or gas? Name brand too. Sorry I should have asked these questions before.
DB www.espmetro.com
Answer -
Hello
Bad egg smell or sulphur smell is usually associated with water heater, anode rod. If you have a single handle faucet that is bad it could be recirculating hot water into cold system and showing up on the toilets. The problem is when an anode rod goes bad or needs to be changed out they can be as expensive as a new heater. Depending on age of heater. Usually this smell occurs as a bacteria build up in the water heater itself due to a low temperature setting. I have had to change anode rods on heaters that were only a couple of months old. When I removed a grabbed by hand I could not believe the crap on them. You can remove them and not install a new, If heater is over 10 years old, You might want to explore that avenue. If you change out anode rod ask plumber to show you. We usually flush heater at that time with chlorine to kill bacteria in heater and plumbing, thats why it could get spendy.
Let me know.
DB www.espmetro.com
Answer: Hi Again
That is exactly what I am saying, But I am just basing that on what you have told, If it is a bacteria build up, it could be causing a mold appearing like oily substance.
One more question Boiler or forced air.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: mary
Subject: sewer smell
Question: I had a shower installed on the ground level of my house. It was installed on a slab. There is a terrible sewer smell in the shower and wonder if this is dangerous. The contractor is no longer around and I have been asked if there is a p-trap. I have no idea. can anything be done without ripping out the shower
Answer: Hello
You will need to remove the cover on the drain in the bottom of shower, look down with a flashlight and if you see water there is a p-trap, if it is not vented it could siphon trap and let sewer gas smell into house, if shower was installed on a floor drain then this is probably the case. There is also a probability that there is a vent pipe that was not connected. One more thing the wax ring under a toilet could be defective and give the perception of sewer gas leaking in the direction of shower if you have one close by.
Let me know.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: Lynn
Subject: Toilet noise
Question: One of my toilets makes a crying noise at the end of the flush as
the tank is almost full. The noise occurs when the toilet has not
been used for about a half hour. If you flush the toilet after the
noise it does not occur again. What is causing this and how can I
correct it? The house is 4 years old. The brand is Peerless.
Answer: Hello
The fillvalve/ballcock is bad. 9 out of 10 times this is the cause, They have a atmospheric vacuum breaker to prevent siphonage from tank into water system, they bang whistle, shriek and just about everything else. This can be caused by maybe just a small piece of debris in the ballcock to completely bad.
Hope this helps.
www.espmetro.com
Name: jeff doney
Subject: water heater wont drain
Question: trying to remove an old water heater - have shut off supply, connected hose to spigot - however when i open the valve no water is flowing
assume i have a build up of sediment blocking the spigot. is there any easy way of dislodging the blockage so i can completely drain the water heater without getting soaking wet?
or should i consider trying to remove it full of water and then drain it outside the house from the top?
thx for your help
Answer: Hello
I usually just break that valve off by stepping on and aiming water heater at the floor drain. That is after I have cut it loose and moved aside. The other way is lay it down and let drain from top also after it is cut out. One other way is to unscrew valve you are talking about and let drain when it is loose if you take out all the way it will be the same as breaking it off.
The only problem I ever had doing it any of this way the floor drain was plugged and would not go down, so we has to quick get the sewer machine. If you try it full they are about 300 pounds plus I say no way to that.
GOOD LUCK
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: Terry Wells
Subject: Calibrating a pressure balanced valve
Question: I just completed a remodel of my bathroom, including all new copper piping from the curb.
The new shower valve is a pressure balanced Grohe (35 250). I also have a hydraulically controlled tankless water heater (AquaStar 125).
The problem is that the pressure imbalance caused by the heater makes the shower run too hot all the time. If I try to turn the shower control to choose cooler water, it doesn't get much cooler until it suddenly gets completely cold. There is no range of warm water.
How can I adjust/calibrate the shower valve to provide a range of warm water?
Thanks,
Terry
Answer: Hello
Pressure balancing is there to protect you, I can understand your frustration, I would like to tell you you can calibrate, but the only way I can tell you is the plastic handle stop is the adjustment for these, the rest is temperature controlled and can not be messed with. You would have to disable the temperature sensor completely and I have to advise you against doing that, if you have not been to groheamerica.com and type your faucet numbers in and look at their cut away of faucet and it shows you the complete unit. the rest is up to you.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: Jim Ferguson
Subject: Bathtub drain leak
Question: Hi, I live in California and my upstairs bathroom tub drain leaks into the drywall garage ceiling. The drain does not leak if the shower is used. The drain is a manual pull up stopper, for lack of a better desciption. If I fill the tub to below the overflow and pull up the stopper, the leak will come through the ceiling while the water drains from the tub. Of course the leak will begin if I allow the water to fill above the overflow.
If I allow the shower or the tub fill spout to run the drain does not leak...
I tried to "unscrew" the popup drain stopper but it just spins freely in either direction. Naturally, the drain does not have any manufacturer stamps I can see from the tub side of the drain. I tried to locate the builder for additional information but he is deceased, all I know is the house was built in 1991.
I guess the real question is, to resolve the leak I think I'll need to replace the tub drain. How would I go about removing the current drain? Or am I way off base and the leak is another issue?
I'd go right to a plumber, but I live on a fixed income..
Thanks in advance,
Jim Ferguson
Answer: Hello
You will need to have an access panel to gain entry at the drain end of the tub or a hole in ceiling, and a helper in most cases, the waste and overflow is what sound like giving you the problem, and should change the p-trap as long as you are doing them.
Remove the current waste and overflow any way you can and install new one follow the directions, have some putty and pipe dope on hand.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: William
Subject: Water Softener
Question: My water softener tank has like salt building up around the exterior, What is causing that?
Answer: Hello
Several things come to mind, the first one is spray from the discharge hose going into floor drain, if this is within a couple of feet of tank. Second would be when filling the brine tank small amounts of salt dust spilling onto a sweating tank, and last a leak which would be very obvious.
Hope this helps.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: SHELLIE
Subject: LOW WATER PRESSURE
Question: I JUST BOUGHT A 33 YR OLD HOUSE AND THE WATER PRESSURE IS LOW THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE. I HAD THE CITY TEST THE PRESSURE AT THE METER, AND IT WAS 70 PSI. THE CITY SAID THAT WAS VERY GOOD PRESSURE FOR OUR AREA. THEY SUGGESTED I CHECK THE MAIN VALVE NEAR THE HOT WATER HEATER. THE ONLY VALVE I SEE IS A BALL VALVE WITH A RED HANDLE ABOVE THE WATER HEATER. THE HANDLE WILL NOT TURN AT ALL, AND IT DOES NOT SAY WETHER IT'S WATER OR GAS. I DO NOT WANT TO TURN ANYTHING I SHOULDN'T. AM I LOOKING IN THE RIGHT AREA? CAN YOU ADVISE ME? DO I NEED TO CALL IN A PROFESSIONAL TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM?
Answer: Hello
When you say water pressure I take it to mean both hot and cold. If this is the case the valve above water heater is normally just for the heater cold inlet.
I would start at meter for whole house pressure, I would also need to know what kind of valves at meter and what kind of water pipes you have.
What I mean by valves are they ball style or gate. If they have round handles a gate could be partially closed.
Let me know.
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: Edith
Subject: drainage problems
Question: I think we are about to have a serious plumbing problem, we are having problems with the water going down the drain, even the bathtub, it is very very slow in the tub. We have 2 bathrooms, one in the hall and the other in our bedrm. When you run water in one of the sinks it goes down the drain, only to half fill up the other sink the the other bathroom. My husband thinks the solution is to put Draino Gel Max in it and it will go away, after a week it is back to the same problem. The same thing for the double sink in the kitchen. you let the water go down one side only to come up in the other side. Plus about a month away the drain where the water goes down from the washing machine became clogged water was going down the wall outside and coming under the floor board in the kitchen. Are we about to have a serious plumbing problem? My husband does not think this is a problem whereas I do.
Answer: Hello
Commercial drain cleaners are only a band aid in my opinion. You need to thoroughly clean drains with a blade and then a preventative maintain of drains is fine. Some drain cleaners are acid based and if you have a sludge in pipes can sit and eat away cast iron pipes over a period of time.
I would call a drain cleaning company who has a camera and who will camera your main line as well as take care of your problem. If you are in the MPLS, MN area we camera main lines as well as floor drains for no additional charge. Some companies charge every time they use camera. We do not. www.espmetro.com
Name: eric
Subject: toilet won't flush
Question: My toilet will not flush. The tank is full but the water just swirls around. I have to pour a bucket of water into the toilet to get it to flush. I tried flushing out the air vent but it does not seem plugged. What do you think is the problem?
Answer: Hello
Sounds like the water is not leaving the tank fast enough to flush, Not knowing toilet brand and type of flapper, I can just tell you to take the lid off and flush the flapper, actuator or disc need to open and let water out sometimes they just open part way. Check that. Make sure tank is filling to water level usually 1" below overflow tube.
Based on you telling me it seems to flush when you pour a bucket of water into the bowl.
LET ME KNOW IF NEED TO TRY MORE.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: Jack
Subject: Tub Leak
Question: My brother-in-law filled the bathtub for my nephew to take a bath. He did not fill it to the overflow line. The tube is a small whirlpool tub with 4 jets. My nephew never took the bath and my b-i-l left the water in the tub over night.
The next morning there was a leak in the ceiling below the bathroom. This has never happened before. We have used the tub for showers and baths and have had no leaks. The plumbing in this room is about 3 years old.
What should I do? We've tested it by someone taking a shower and there was no leak. I don't want to repair the downstairs ceiling until I'm sure it won't happen again.
Thanks Jack
Answer: Hello
Do you have an access to look in where pump and jets hook up? Possibly a seal on pump, or a leak at hose connections for jets.
Since you say it does not leak when showering, and the main drain on tub.
This is where I would start.
LET ME KNOW.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: Tom Eldridge
Subject: t-connection
Question: I have a 1" copper pipe coming from the house, I need to install a T connection to an existing pvc pipe as part of a sprinkler system. The PVC pipe is approx. 3" lower than the copper pipe. It is possible to dig away from the connection, thus exposing more pvc, then lifting the end of the pvc to the proper height. My question is, will the angle of the pvc at the T inhibit a good connection?
Answer: Hello
A couple of rules I try to follow, never force a connection. Try not to disturb existing pipes unless absolutely have to.
They make fittings and adapter for about every angle possible, but I always try to stay in the area of 90's.
Here is what I would do If I follow you right,
DIG BACK EXPOSE MORE PVC.
CUT OFF SMALL AMOUNT. Enough to fit 90 elbow and a tee.
90 UP small piece of pipe TEE ON TO COPPER.
NOT SURE AS TO WHAT COMBINATION OR RATIO PVC TO COPPER, JUST USE RIGHT ADAPTERS FOR DISSIMILAR MATERIALS.
Need more help just ask.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
ame: Tom Eldridge
Subject: t-connection
Question:
-Thank you for the prompt reply. Always trying to maintain 90's is a good rule of thumb. I'm attempting to splice in about a 12" piece of pvc between the copper line and existing pvc line. Because the spliced length of pvc with it's connections is greater than the opening, am I attempting the impossible? I hope my wording of the question isn't as confounding as the problem.------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I have a 1" copper pipe coming from the house, I need to install a T connection to an existing pvc pipe as part of a sprinkler system. The PVC pipe is approx. 3" lower than the copper pipe. It is possible to dig away from the connection, thus exposing more pvc, then lifting the end of the pvc to the proper height. My question is, will the angle of the pvc at the T inhibit a good connection?
Answer -
Hello
A couple of rules I try to follow, never force a connection. Try not to disturb existing pipes unless absolutely have to.
They make fittings and adapter for about every angle possible, but I always try to stay in the area of 90's.
Here is what I would do If I follow you right,
DIG BACK EXPOSE MORE PVC.
CUT OFF SMALL AMOUNT. Enough to fit 90 elbow and a tee.
90 UP small piece of pipe TEE ON TO COPPER.
NOT SURE AS TO WHAT COMBINATION OR RATIO PVC TO COPPER, JUST USE RIGHT ADAPTERS FOR DISSIMILAR MATERIALS.
Need more help just ask.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Answer: Hello
No nothing is impossible, I would dig back and cut amount needed off of plastic if possible, I read it as they are 3" different in height, so that should be OK. EVEN off center would be OK with 2 90's just angle a little. Just expose plastic and cut off straight and clean well.
Let me know.
www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: Cameron Decker
Subject: kitchen faucet
Question: I have just recently replaced my kitchen faucet. It is a glacier bay single handle faucet. Very inexpensive model...probably $39.00. It also has separate spray hose. It has worked well for a few weeks. Now, when we first turn on the water, it sputters horribly. It doesn't get to a smooth spray until you turn it on full-blast. It sputters more when you pull out the separate spray hose. What could be the problem? Please advise. Thanks!
Answer: Hello
Sometimes when changing faucets the aerator on the spout gets debris in, I always remove them before turning water on. The diverter for the sprayer could be causing the problem, the diverter is in the body of faucet and is under the spout. It could have some debris in it.
Hope this helps,
DB www.espmetro.com
Name: tia fosberg
Subject: bathroom faucet
Question: Hello, I have a bathtub faucet "Chatuae by Moen" has a single pull/dial type water handle. I would guess it is about 20 years old. I have a constant drip from tub faucet only, no problem with shower head. It has been dripping ever since my son shoved a toy in it, which I had to pull out of the faucet, he also hung a heavy toy from the faucet. With that in mind, before I attempt to replace the cartridge, could it be anything else at fault? If you believe it is the cartridge, will I still be able to find the part considering the age of the faucet? Thank you so mush
Answer: Hello
Moen 1225 B should be the part, Go to moen.com and they will send you one for free with directions on how to replace.
Let me know if you can't find.
DB www.espmetro.com www/dispatcherbob.com
Name: Roma
Subject: Pressure Switches
Question: I have a 30/50 pressure switch on my home well system. My question is how often should it kick on and off if there is no water running? Mine is relaying about every 5 min. Could this be a problem with the points or the water tank.
Answer: Hello
Assuming there is no water running, then it should not go on. This is if setting is in fact 30-50. If it is not then need to change, but I would do following first.
First thing I would check, is turn valve at tank to off turning all water off to house if this stops the recycle then you possibly have a toilet leaking water by flapper.
If it kicks on every 5 minutes or so with valve off to house then you have a bad foot valve on well side or a check valve it is called. Or worse a small hole in pipe from well.
Let me know if need further assistance or if you tried these already.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: Rachel Moore
Subject: Main drainage problems - roots?
Question: Hi, my husband's been working on this, but here's the deal:
We have a utility sink in the basement. Every time we run water down any other drain in the house, dirty water will back up into the utility sink and take forever to drain out again.
My husband rented a 50' electric snake last night and ran it as far as he could, and upon retraction, got some roots with it. He has now put a call in to a plumbing company to get an estimate on them running a longer snake through the system.
What does this sound like to you? We're on city sewer (no septic) - I saw on another post where a guy was pulling roots out and the recommendation was replacing the old piping with PVC. This house is about 80 yrs. old.
Thx!
Answer: Hello
Find a drain cleaning company that includes free camera of sewer line when they clean it. We offer this in the Minneapolis/ST. Paul MN. area. Before you decide about having to replace most sewers can be maintained and last a long time. Root intrusion is the most damaging to sewer lines, when not addressed. We sell a product called root-x but the sewer needs to be cleaned first for it to work properly.
Some sewers can be lined, we use permaliner system. requires no digging.
LET ME KNOW. If you need some more help.
DB
www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: Russel in Orlando
Subject: Plumbing on a 30 year old house
Question: My mother's house has a blocked drain between the kitchen and the rest of the house. (an avocado tree near by is the probable cause.) I would like to send the laundry and kitchen drain into a bypass and wyes it in before the sewer. The main line leaving the house looks to be 3" and then transitions into about a 6" line (no-hub type). What do you recommend wying into the smaller line or larger line which would be at a lower elevation giving me a larger drop?
Answer: Hello
I think what you are asking is if you go to 6" you can put a faster slope on pipe. Keep in mind 1/4" per foot is the best, so regardless if you can wye into 3" do so as long as you maintain 1/4" per foot.
Reason= Too much slope too fast the drain leaves solids behind and causes blockage, when water runs at a 1/4" per foot it moves any waste with it too much slope water runs around waste, leaving waste. Granted there is not too much solids in kitchen waste but there is grease, and it could be start of a grease build up, If has a disposal then has waste.
If not what you are asking then let me know.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: Melissa
Subject: KITCHEN PLUMBING
Question: 1-1/2 years ago, I had a 2 handle faucet installed in my kitchen sink as part of a kitchen remodel. The sprayer is separate from the faucet, a traditional model, not one of the newer types. I haven't had any problems until a few months ago, the faucet whistles while the water is running and then the water stops flowing completely. It won't come back on unless I close the handles and then open them again. I did learn recently also that the dishwasher was installed with it emptying the garbage into the wrong side of the pipe - right side - but my garbage disposal is on the left side so am wondering if the problems are related? (probably not but thought I'd mention it). Thanks, Melissa
Answer: Hello
The side disposal is on makes no difference. Usually a dishwasher dumps into the disposal which has a connection for it.
The diverter for the sprayer is bad this is usually the cause. The diverter is located in the body of faucet and the spout on faucet has to be removed to replace diverter or clean.
Need more help Let me know.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: Francis V
Subject: kohler 1.6 toilet seats
Question: PURCHASED A NEW 1.6 FROM LOWES AND A CONTRACTOR INSTALLED IT. THE TOILET SEAT SCREWS WILL LOOSEN DUE TO USE AND I HAVE TO CONTIMNUALLY HAND TIGHTEN THEM. THE CONTRACTOR SAID NOT TO USE A WRENCH ON IT...WE MADE A MISTAKE BUYING THE 1.6...
WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREVENT THE SACREWS FROM LOOSENING(THEY ARE WING NUTS)...
Answer: Hello
If they are the plastic screws and nuts they stink, I am sorry for lack of phrasing. We usually try to get seats where the screws are part of seat, I will however tighten those plastic junk ones with a screw driver from top and whatever I can hold them with, I would try some locktite on them, if you wish. I have replaced with closet bolts turned upside down and got them to hold but you need a rubber washer between the washer and nut from the bottom as metal against porcelain is not a good combo.
I would look for a better seat combo maybe. If it came from Lowes go somewhere else for seat.
Hope this helps.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: alan segal
Subject: well system in vacant home
Question: Sounds like you are suggesting "shock chlorination" without purging the water lines. Won't leaving the chlorine treated water in the lines have a corrosive effect on water heater, well pump and pressure tank?
Alan Segal
-------------------------
Follow-up To
Question -
Our home is up for sale. Home is on a well system and will not be occupied until it is sold. Will the water/plumbing system need to be pre treated for safety while it sits unoccupied?
Answer -
Hello
Most wells should be started from time to time. What I would do is freshen well while it is sitting and then post on all faucets not to run. Freshening entails chlorine tablets down well or I have used regular bleach on mine.
If you need to winterize then I would winterize and still freshen. It just kills all bacteria.
Hope this helps.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Answer: Hello
I am not suggesting you leave it, I am saying it does a water system no good to sit, nor does it do the toilets and faucets to sit with water in them and not be used, Bacteria builds up. I said if you need to winterize, winterize it, then I should have said on start-up freshen well.
I also should have said is after freshening flush system, the part about do not use or run was while you were freshening/chlorinating.
Little known fact that is not done on new homes, all water pipes are to be sterilized/disinfected. No one enforces.
I hope this clears the fog a little.
Name: mike
Subject: bleach in drain
Question: Can you use bleach for drain maintenance and if so how much?
Answer: Hello
Bleach is more for killing bacteria/odors it will have no cleaning affect on drain. It is also corrosive. I use it in toilet bowls full strength to clean, usually about a pint. Never use in the tank as it will wreck flapper, and other rubber in tank.
Some drain cleaners we use as an example for maintaining is bio-clean (can be found on our site) Bleach actually kills the way bio works even mouthwash is not recommended to go down drain if bio is used. You can read about bio and how it works on our site.
Hope this helps.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: Jeremiah
Subject: bathtub repair
Question: I own a home that is less than five years old. For four years, I rented part of my house to a roommate. We each had our own bathroom. The bathtub in his bathroom had a crack about 3in. long. I paid someone to fix it. He said the tub wasn't braced properly and needed better support. So I paid to have him fill under the tub with foam and repair the holes.
Now, my roommate has moved out, and I have a crack in the tub that's about two feet long running the length of the tub. I started to repair the tub by filling the crack with epoxy and then using a tub repair kit. I went to check the status of the epoxy after 24 hours and noticed than when I put any weight in the tub, the floor dips. I don't know if there is water damage underneath (I checked the crawl space and found nothing) and I don't want to tear the tub out yet because I don't know if my homeowners insurance will cover any of it.
What would you suggest that I do? Does it sound repairable or should I plan on installing a new bathtub? Does it sound like a defect in the installation or manufacturing (I don't know if the fact that my roommate weighed almost 300 pounds affected it)?
Thank you,
Jeremiah
Answer: Hello
Once the tub was broke it lost its strength, The patching was temporary when done originally. More than likely the original install was faulty.
Patching at this time would be a waste of money, and could cause more damage to sub floor. I would recommend tearing it out, hire someone who knows how to set a tub/bath bay and install a new one. When you have tub out I would install a new sub floor under it.
Your homeowners might cover part of it. But keep in mind they probably won't like the idea of renting it out. That is unless you have insurance for rental.
Save yourself grief and money install new one.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: Lynne
Subject: I also have a hot water leak under the slab
Question: I have a hot water leak under the slab.
4 months ago the sewer pipe was leaking under the slab.
what's up?
What should we do??
This is the 3rd line to break under our slab.
We are going broke.
1. Why is this happening?
2.What should we do to prevent this is future?
Thanks
Answer: Hello
If you are in an area where you have freezing, your house will move, more than normal conditions. Sounds hard to believe but they do. The weather is a big factor on how the ground expands and contracts.
Slab on grade homes have a lot of this type of problems after a few years. I would repipe as much water piping as possible above grade. Drain or sewer normally aren't the problem, but do shift also.
Just my thoughts.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: Dinger
Subject: Water Softeners
Question: I have the older dial type water softener. A skinny silver tube with controls on it and a big black plastic container for salt. Can you come over and show me how to adjust this damn thing? LOL Any help would be appreciated on how to adjust it.
Answer: Hello
If everything is plugged in and working right, here is what you do. The dial has the time of day and the day of week on. They are usually little pins you push in. Pull all of them to out only have to move about an 1/8 of an inch. Some softeners could be opposite direction, not being able to see dial I can only guess.
Now look at dial turn till the day and time matches the arrow on softener. Let say you are doing this Monday at 4 PM that is the time the dial needs set at.
Now decide which day and what time you want to cycle.
Usually recycle is set for early AM SAY 2AM. and usually every other day depends on people in house and amount of water used. More people more often. Now push only pins in where you want what day, and the pins for time, usually same pin.
The more often the more salt. You need to decide how much you want recycled, could be more or less, that is up to you.
Hope this sheds some light if not let me know.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: Randy
Subject: toilets
Question: Hi dispatcher bob,
My in-laws have two bathrooms each with 1.6 gpf, American Standard toilets. They constantly do not remove all the waste and frequently become clogged. These toilets came with the house when they bought it.
How would you fix the problem? We are open to anything from repairing these toilets to replacing the toilets.
Thank you,
Randy
Answer: Hello
I have an American Std and it is coming out, Although AM STAN has improved, probably since they built the ones you have.
We have a TOTO at the office it still plugs once in a while but not like a conventional 1.6. We installed a lot of 1.6 when they first came out, now we install Gerber Viper or TOTO.
I am replacing with either a TOTO or more than likely A GERBER VIPER view the video on our site. 1.6 Gallon flush to save water and then have to flush 4 times I have never understood the reasoning behind that. Look at the viper video it is impressive.
Need more help. ASK
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: Stan
Subject: Water Bladder Tank
Question: I have a 11 year old bladder tank that is starting to leak at the elbow in the bottom of the tank. Does this mean the bladder has a hole in it? Does the whole tank have to be replaced? There seem to be some red clayish material (Rust?) where the drip hists the floor. What to do?
Answer: Hello
The elbow at the bottom of tank if just that, can be replaced, but if you take apart that far, might want to install new tank anyway, tanks usually come with that elbow on them. Does not mean that bladder is bad. TO TEST It should hold a charge of air, drain all water and fill air valve with air not a lot if you hear air escaping then bladder is shot or if will not hold a charge say for 30 minutes bladder is shot. That red clayish material is rust.
Hope this explains a little.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
Name: Sarah
Subject: Low water pressure at kitchen sink
Question: I have a two handle cartridge (i think) faucet with separate sprayer on my kitchen sink. Recently the water pressure from the faucet has decreased. The pressure from the sprayer has never been great. Looking under the sink there are no shut off valves that I can see and there are no pipes leading up to the faucet only rubber hoses as well as one that leads off to the ice maker for the fridge. What do I need to do to do to get my water pressure back?
Answer: Hello
First make sure aerator on end of faucet not plugged.
The supplies could be plugged at where they connect at pipes. I would install shut offs and purge lines to that point then install new supplies. The faucet depending on age you might want to replace as well as supplies. Most times these few corrections can help, although you have not said how the pressure in the rest of house is.
Let me know I am here to help.
DB www.espmetro.com www.dispatcherbob.com
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