A simple leaky gasket can cause a big problem. By Matt Weber You wouldn’t think a bathtub overflow drain would be the source of a water leak, especially if you never fill the tub to a level at which water would enter the opening. You, like me, could be very wrong. It didn’t […]
By Merle Henkenius How will you know when your water heater needs to be replaced? When its steel tank begins to leak. Conventional gas and electric water heaters have few external components, and none of them move, which makes these appliances quite durable. You may need to replace an ignitor or a temperature-and-pressure […]
By Matt Weber A shower diverter valve switches the supply of water from the faucet to the shower head and back again. Repeated operation over time can wear out the valve or the rubber washers and result in drips and leaks. Two handle faucets typically have one of two types of diverter valves. […]
Reconstruction of the walls and floor can present problems for a major bathroom overhaul. By Rob Robillard Bathrooms are botched more than any other room in the house. With bathroom remodels people often focus on easy-to-see things like tile colors and layout, or special amenities like heated floors. These are all important, but you also need to think about the […]
By Merle Henkenius If your home’s drinking water has an unpleasant taste or is occasionally cloudy, an inline water filter is often an easy and inexpensive fix. Private water wells can deliver off-tasting water and waterborne sediment. Accumulating sediment can short-out electric water heaters and reduce the efficiency of gas water heaters. Although sediment is less of a problem in […]
Up Close with Glass Shower Stall Enclosures By Rob Robillard My brother, a master plumber, always says the shower is the heart of the bathroom. When the shower is bad, it can make you hate your bathroom. The 5-by-7-ft. utilitarian master bathroom I grew up with is now history. Today’s trends—complete with radiant heat, unlimited on-demand hot water, high-end fixtures, […]
Discover small problems before they get big. The purpose of a home inspection is to examine the inside and outside of a home, including the grounds, the structure and mechanical systems. The inspector looks for defects, broken or obsolete components, and damage due to weather, rot, or wear and tear. A qualified professional inspector then provides the customer with an […]
