Recent content by essjay

Thanks for the quick response. In pricing underlayment the stuff is damn expensive - and I only require 28 sq ft of it. Looks like the extra effort to fill the pockets does nott sound like too bad an idea. Have some extra thinset too. All thats required is my time - cheap enough :)

I have some leftover Ditra from an earlier tile job. I am doing an entryway with a floating floor and was wondering if the Ditra could be used as an underlayment/height riser under this type of flooring. It raises the floor perfectly to the height of the existing solid hardwood floor. Searched...

Nope. Google 'PL 700 Adhesive' and I get www.homedepot.ca which is Canada. Side note. Liquid Nails makes a LN715 (HD) rated for ABS and concrete board BUT...the reviews are not good...

Before I regret a wrong choice... Just purchased an ABS tub surround and contrary to their directions, which call for drywall to be used in the tub/shower area, I have used Durock cement board. My own preference is to NOT use any drywall in this area and the CBU is already up and not going...

Finally have my water heater tank ready to go. The proper method to use the water heater from what I've read is to first let the tank fill and open a faucet for the hot water. When the faucet flows the tank is filled and power can then be applied to the tank. But if a thermostatic mixing valve...

Had 'annual' servicing done to combi boiler yesterday and tech could not answer my question.... There is a shutoff ball valve on the baseboard heat supply side pipe of the circulator pump (3 zones, 1 pump) that I assume is for future isolation of pump in case it must be replaced. It is...

"Damned if you do, damned if you dont".... It IS interesting that all the reasons I've seen to periodically clean your main sewer line are usually from plumbers websites.

Planning on getting the main sewer drain a preemptive cleaning, no problems at this writing. What method cleaning would be the proper selection for the price? I am under the impression that jetting the lines do cost more than the auger method. Would jetting allow for a longer next maintenance of...

Follow up: There was no flow, as per hj. Lost about a cup of water from the line when cut, as expected. Ball valve inserted. Taco Zone valves, depending on type (I think I have the 571s) have the following specs, so had I read this I would have known: Taco Zone Valve 571-2 3/4" Features...

John, Thanks for the quick reply. Didnt think about the return side, but this line does a 90 with a drop of 7 ft, so I assume water loss will be minimal with this to equalize (didnt explain this though in original post). Any thoughts on the valve though?

I have a taco zone valve on a supply line. Can I safely cut the pipe after the zone valve and add in a ball valve if the taco valve has no power to it. In other words, can I assume the taco valve closes 100% as the norm (are these valves quality enough to assume this?) with no power applied.

I have a hot water boiler (recently replaced) that provides both DHW and heating in 3 zones. The zones are by run by floor. The basement zone piping was run through the slab when the house was built (1965). Since the piping is approaching 50 years of underground contact I want to replace the...

Are there any limitations to using a thermostatic mixing valve or are they set and forget? Any preventative maint. required? The install instructions describe setting a temp strip on the mixed output and adjusting to desired temp. BUT, if there is a big temp swing in cold water supply between...

Full disclosure: I AM NOT A PRO and never will be. Since the walls intersect in its not likely (read: NOT impossible however) that BOTH are load-bearing. Determine which is not (usually, but NOT always, the non load-bearing wall will run WITH (parallel) the joists). That board is there in the...

Full disclosure: I AM NOT A PRO and never will be. However, I am also a DIYer. As long as your willing to learn and do it right this could be accomplished by someone with reasonable skill, intelligence. and patience. There are quite a few gotchas to be aware of however. The PVC fittings you...