Recent content by dereks

My basement bathroom basin sometimes has low hot water flow. I think it is when the kitchen hot water is being used. Ideas?

I picked some fixtures for a bathroom remodel and the contractor asked me "are you sure???" faucets: chrome shower rod, shower vertical handle bar, towel bars, vanity handles, toilet paper holder, door knobs are all mismatched and all different kinds of brass, satin nickel, etc...oops...

I'm having an addition built and asked about having a new water line put in. The neighbors say that their's last about 20 years before needing leaks repaired due to tree roots, old PVC leaking, etc. The contractor says it's my choice and that it will cost $1500 if I want it. The house is 100...

Yesterday, I caught a crazy woman stealing 1 gallon of water from the outside spigot. One gallon will not bankrupt me but she left it dripping. Since she acted insane and very inappropriately, I'm afraid that she'll turn on the water all night. Is it easy to change the spigot to one needing...

I know of a house where one side of the structure's plumbing gets frozen any time it's 20 degrees for 2 days. How to prevent this? Have plumbing in the interior and not running through outer walls? How about the garden hose on the outside? Maybe have a shutoff valve?

I know people keep asking this but how about in my specific planned use? I am planning a mother-in-law type cottage which will be connected to the main house. Think of it like an addition which is what a future buyer could use it for. The planned use is to have a bathroom and a kitchen sink...

Care to comment? Contractor prefers the garage. I don't. However, I'm not an expert.

Anybody for option #2????

Where should a hot water heater be located. Option 1: In a utility closet near the kitchen and bath. Two baths are about 10-15 ft. away. Kitchen is about 15 ft. away. Second floor baths are directly above. All these distances seem relatively short. Advantages: hot water quickly! Hot...

A contractor told me "PEX is great! It will last 25 years!" I am ready to put in PEX but I am concerned. 25 years ago is only 1986. If I built a house in 1986, I do not want to be changing water lines in 2011 (or if I build in 2011, 2036 is too soon). I see houses from 1950 in the...

I am starting to plan to build a house. I want to make it easy to repair. The city requires sprinklers. I was thinking of suspended ceilings to make sprinkler repair easier. Also a few floor drains in case it goes off. Any drawbacks to floor drains? Do I have to pour a little water in...

Keep those ideas coming! Thank you. To clarify after reading some of the responses. The current, dumpy, small house is going to be torn down. It's in bad shape, very old, very small (1 BR, 1 BA). As far as the new 150 year lifespan house, I'd like to consider what to do if "cost is no...

Keep those answers coming! Keep those answers coming! Not well water, but city water. I think the pH is not acidic. I'm an idiot. I don't understand "To no5: indirect off a mod-con boiler for the suggestion" Should the drains be as big as possible to they are harder to get stuck...

I have a tiny and dumpy house that is ripe for teardown. I'd like to build a house that will last 150 years. I'm all thumbs so I'd like something bulletproof that will last without any repair. What should I do about plumbing? Here are some of my ideas, please improve on them. 1. Use...

Here is a photo. This is the original PVC pipe (cleaned a bit) and the metal pipe from the wall. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pipes.JPG Disclaimer: I may use this photo to edit wikipedia so wikipedia police should not delete it. Thank you.