Don't you just hate trying to line up all the PVC pieces in a sink drain? Wouldn't it be so nice if there was just a little bit of flexibility someplace in the drain line? After all, we did finally elminate the rigid speedways to get those great flexible ones that don't collapse.Well the compan...
Dee from Toronto, Ontario writes: "We are having a new home built with the laundry room on the second floor. We were told the washing machine would sit in a trough, which was lined with rubber and has a drain. It has been finished with only a drain and we are concerned with the risk of floodin...
Stephanie from Kitchener, Ontario wants to know how to cap off a toilet drain once you have removed the toilet. Well Stephanie, it all depends on what the drain pipe is made of, and do you want to temporarily or permanently close it off.The first photo shows a temporary rubber cap with metal str...
In this TV segment I talked a lot about the latest research designed to identify which low flow toilets work and which do not. For the details of that story, read through my database entry on the low flush toilet controversy and the update at the bottom of the entry.The very reason for low flow ...
A few tips on installing a stainless steel sink into a counter.Check all obstructions above and below the counter before drawing the cut line onto the counter top. If you get too close to the back splash, the sink won't go in. Remember, there is an overhang. Check all obstructions below to m...
How many times do you have to return to the plumbing department of your hardware store before you finish that sink installation job?It took me 5 trips for this job (in front of the TV cameras), as I slowly discovered things that didn't fit, or didn't reach, or I didn't think of ahead of time.Does...
Ken in Winnipeg wants to know if he can modifiy his sump pump pit.There are really two kinds of sump pump pits.One is an underground container or catch basin designed to receive water from the perimeter drain tiles and any other basement spillage or back-up and pump that up and out of the house.T...
Heat recuperation, or the recovery of heat from things that we normally throw away can be a significant part of energy savings. Most energy efficient houses today have Heat Recovery Ventilators that steal the heat out of stale air before throwing it out of the house. Finally some Canadians have...
We all know copper piping, both rigid and flexible. We have talked in this database about the very reliable quality PEX (Cross Linked Polyethylene) piping that is now being used for both hot and cold water installations, as well as for in-floor radiant heating. So what is Pex-Al-Pex piping?This...
Garth is complaining that his upstairs toilet has started making a lot of water noise as the flush flows down through the walls. What do to?If the noise was there from day one, about the only thing you can do is to open the wall and wrap the pipe in sound blanket insulation to muffle the sound. ...
