Whether you have a plumbing problem that needs to be fixed, or you’re planning a remodel or construction project, you’ll find lots of helpful plumbing tips here. Our resident experts offer up advice on fixing leaky faucets, choosing the right water heater, and finding the right professional, when necessary, to handle your plumbing issues.
Whether you’re caring for an aging parent or ailing grandparent, aunt, uncle or adult child, a granny pod can be an excellent solution. Designed as a compact, free-standing living space with built-in accommodations for the ill or elderly, a pod can be placed in your backyard, making caregiving more convenient, reducing stress and improving quality...
Whenever you have a problem with your home, the first impulse is usually to tackle the problem yourself. Sometimes this can be the right choice, and the problem’s easy enough to solve on your own. Other times it’s much safer and smarter to call in the pros from the beginning. Tracking down tricky leaks is...
The basement is rarely one of the most lived-in rooms in a house. This means that it’s common for flooding to go unnoticed for many hours or even a number of days. And what happens if you’re on vacation when a huge storm or other disaster happens? An undetected flood can cause thousands of dollars...
Bar or prep sinks are extremely versatile. Ideal for bar and entertainment areas, they make an excellent second sink in a larger kitchen or primary sink in a small kitchen where space is at a premium. Bar sinks come in a variety of shapes from square to round or rectangular. Most are about 15 inches...
It’s easy to take plumbers putty for granted. Soft, malleable, adhesive and waterproof, it forms watertight seals in various plumbing applications. Composed of clay, talc, limestone and natural oils, the compound we know today was developed during World War II for the US government. When the war was over, the manufacturer, Industrial Paint and Varnish...
As humble as these devices are, kitchen sink strainers perform several important functions. They allow water to drain freely but prevent food waste from entering the plumbing where it can lead to blockages, and with a simple twist they serve as a watertight stopper when you want to fill the sink with water. Kitchen sink...
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, when shoppers clog the stores — and leftovers clog the pipes. Plumbers say the day after Thanksgiving is their single busiest day of the year. Here are five tips to help you avoid a plumber call after this year’s big Turkey Day. 1. Quantity matters Many of us have loved ones...
If you’re tired of dealing with hard water, there are many softening solutions available. Invented in 1903, water softening technology didn’t move into widespread use until the 1920s. The original salt-based technology removed calcium and magnesium from water, eliminating the minerals that left white scale (limescale) on everything. Hard water requires more soap, is difficult...
Point of use (POU) water treatment systems have come a long way. Designed initially for water utilities, advanced treatment technologies were first scaled down to function as whole-house systems then eventually as POU devices. Today, size has decreased, performance has increased and technology choices have expanded, providing homeowners with more options. If you’re in the...
Ultraviolet (UV) light has been used for water disinfection since the early 20th century. Initially developed and utilized by public utilities and commercial facilities that needed to process water for beverage or food production, UV systems for home use have been gaining popularity since the 1990s. To determine if this approach is right for your household,...