Question:
When I turn my hot water knob in the bathroom sink as I turn up the pressure it works and then all of the sudden the pressure drops. How do I adjust that? It is a Delta.
Answer:
You need to take the cartridge out - there is probably debris clogging the water inlet.
Question:
I attached a small hose spray to my basement faucet. I attached hose with washer and adapter that fits or came with hose spray. When I turned on the water, water not only comes out of the sprayer but also water comes out at area of attachment. What can I do? Will adding another washer help?
Answer:
The faucet is probably 3/4″ hose fitting which is standard and not 3/4 iron pipe thread which is probably what you are trying to hook up, which is probably why it is leaking. The thread patterns are different from 3/4 pipe fittings to 3/4 hose fittings.
Question:
I have a coffee machine with a 1/4″ flare. How do I hook this up to a 3/8″ compression fitting. I have been to Ace hardware, Home depot and a plumbing supply house and no-one had an answer. I can do the work If I just know what to do. Thanks for any help.
Answer:
You will have to cut the flare end off the copper tubing and purchase a 1/4″ compression X 3/8″ compression brass connector. Put the 1/4 comp side on the copper tubing from the coffee maker, make sure the brass ferrule is seated correctly, then tighten the 1/4 comp nut until the copper line is secure. Now take off the nut from the 3/8 comp side and attach your 3/8 comp line directly to the 3/8 side of the fitting.
Question:
The house I just bought was winterized for at least 7 months. I took a shower there when I moved in on 8/9/10…no noise. However, I noticed a whining noise coming from the shower on 8/11/10. What could be some possible causes for the whining noise?
Answer:
There could be antifreeze gumming up the cartridge inside the valve, as well as the shower head. Both would need to be removed and flushed out.
Question:
When we bought our home 1 yr ago we noticed that when we use our dishwasher or laundry then the intensity of water pressure is less when we shower! But now I have noticed that it is getting worse now…the pressure has reduced a lot lot more…! Why is that happening?
Answer:
You could have sediment built up in the water lines…have a plumber come and check your pressure.
Question:
What is the average wage for an apprentice in plumbing?
Answer:
It varies from state to state. In California, it can be anywhere from $10.00 to 14.00 per-hour for an apprentice/helper.
Question:
All three of my toilets are not flushing, will Drano Prevention fix it or do I need a plumber?
Answer:
DO not use Drano in a toilet! Drano produces heat which will crack your toilet bowls. It states this right on the can. Call a plumber and have him check the main sewer since it is unlikely that all your toilets are coincidentally plugged at the same time.
Question:
I replaced the value in my toilet, put in new bolts from the tank to the bottom [toilet]…There is no leak but the tank seams loose to the toilet…I’m afraid to tighten the bolts too much, I don’t want to crack the bowl…Should I tighten the bolts more?
Answer:
Try pushing down on one side of the tank and tighten the bolts by hand. Now push down on the other side and tighten that bolt by hand. You may have to do this a couple of times per side to make the tank snug.
Question:
We have an old lake cabin and the plumbing system was never vented. It takes up to an hour for a sink to drain. Is there anything I can do besides cutting holes in the roof? Thank you.
Answer:
There are spring loaded air vents you can install under the sinks to help with this problem. You will need to reconfigure the drains however.
Question:
Where does the indirect coil in an indirect fortic-type tank get its water supply from?
Answer:
Typically, the water enters the tank from the cold inlet at the base of the cylinder from a storage tank above the cylinder. The higher the storage tank from the cylinder the more “head” pressure you will get. Most Fortic combination units comprise a cold water cistern and hot water cylinder into a single unit. Where as, an indirect cylinder usually gets it’s heat source from a boiler, solar panel or wood burning stove, etc.