Maintaining, Repairing and Decorating Your Abode

Well system water pressure

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 15:47:59 -0400

Need some help diagnosing a well water pressure issue.

My house uses a well with a 20 gallon pressure tank with a 40-60 pressure switch. The water pressure in the house has been getting pretty bad (flush the toilet and the shower is just above a trickle). I thought the pressure tank was an issue, so I replaced the pressure tank with the same style/size, new pressure switch, and new gauge. I made sure the pressure tank empty pressure was 38 psi. When I turned everything back on, the pressure will build to 38-39 psi but never gets higher than that. The pump was running constantly since it never could reach the cut off pressure. For now, I adjusted the cut on to 20psi and the cut off to 38 so it doesn’t keep running constantly.

It has a new filter. I’m thinking that something is either wrong with the pump, there is a leak between the pump and the house, or something is blocking the flow but I cannot figure it out.

Any direction would be greatly appreciated!

submitted by /u/bwbwbwbwbw123459
[link] [comments]

Toilet ALWAYS needs two flushes. Bad toilet or bad plumbing?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 15:38:32 -0400

My toilet has never flushed a turd on the first try. I have a Glacier Bay N2316 dual flush. It's in a 1950s home that was fully redone not sure if the sewage pipes were redone. The water lines are new pex. There is a brand new septic system, inspected and to code.

Will replacing the toilet fix my problem or should I call a plumber to check the plumbing. I heard venting can be an issue. Apparently the trapway is only 2 inches on this toilet model. Can my house even accomodate a toilet with a bigger trapway?

submitted by /u/withmybeerhands
[link] [comments]

Leaky hose help

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 15:30:43 -0400

Exterior hose leaks about half a gallon of water when it’s on in use for 5-10 min. Should I try to replace myself or hire a pro.

submitted by /u/Ok-Platform2245
[link] [comments]

What is that device?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 14:58:37 -0400

I’m looking for the main shutoff valve for the whole house and found this under the kitchen cabinet in the basement. Btw, does it look like the main shutoff valve? Thank you!

submitted by /u/timpham
[link] [comments]

Sewer line questions.

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 14:53:54 -0400

My dad is considering buying a house that needs some work. He said he needs to dig down 10 feet and 50 feet long to assess possible damage on a sewer line.

We have a small tractor so we can shore and dig and get a backhoe attachment if needed.

What companies would do the repairs? What do I search for? No pics because it's not opened up yet. He said the inspection camera reached its limit and they couldn't look any further.

submitted by /u/Graham_Wellington3
[link] [comments]

Looking for advice for removing toilet

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 14:45:25 -0400

Hi all,

I'm very new to home improvement projects and am looking for advice for what I'm seeing in a bathroom that will be having vinyl flooring installed soon. Its my understanding that I need to remove the toilet before the floor gets installed but I have some questions around what I'm seeing. The "floor" currently has an epoxy coating on it and the toilet seems to have a sort of hard rubbery wedge seal around the base that I haven't seen in instructional videos. I'm wondering what this brown seal/wedge is beneath the toilet and what I might need to replace it with once the toilet is removed.

Also, you may notice the epoxy kind of curves up the side of the toilet base a bit. I understand this isn't a flooring subreddit but I didn't know if anyone had an idea if I would need to somehow trim that down to help make it flush to the floor for the vinyl install when I remove the toilet. Thanks for any help you can offer!

submitted by /u/thatsgoodkarma
[link] [comments]

What is this gunk?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 14:38:35 -0400

Was changing my pressure reducing valve. There was this gross greasy stuff around the old rubber gasket. What is it?

submitted by /u/IforOne
[link] [comments]

Confused on why I’m getting smell?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 14:08:57 -0400

Title. I’m getting smell out of this sink only when it hasn’t been used in several hours and the water shoots directly into the drain (3rd pic). If I turn the water on low (so it doesn’t shoot into the drain) and let it run then it will only barely smell.

No smell after the water has run for a few seconds, but it smells like sewer gas. I can’t imagine my p-trap is emptying in <8hrs, but the inconsistency doesn’t make sense.

Any idea on what could be causing this?

submitted by /u/batmanonemillion
[link] [comments]

Shower handle help - cannot figure out how to remove

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 14:06:12 -0400

Hello!

I am really struggling on how to remove this shower handle to access the cartridge for service. There are no set screws and I cannot seem to rotate anything other than the handle. Usually i am decent at figuring things out so I feel a little dumb here. But I was hoping this community could help me.

I really appreciate any help from anyone.

Thanks!

submitted by /u/Ok_Response3579
[link] [comments]

Sprinkler Hellllllp

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:55:33 -0400

Finally decided to turn on my sprinklers at my new residence for MURICA day. Got water spraying out the top and sides of this beauty. Two questions:

1) Should the ends circled in red need caps to tighten?

2) Do I need to tighten the nut on top? circled in blue?

submitted by /u/Mother_Juice_170
[link] [comments]

Pipes backing up?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:35:49 -0400

I’m 99% sure that there is an issue with the plumbing in my bathroom causing toilet water/sewage to flood the bathtub (coming up from the drain). There is fecal matter in the tub currently, though it seems it flooded and then drained itself. The first time I saw it happen, I plunged the tub drain.

My landlord said he’ll “look at it next time he’s over”. I am very concerned that the tub will flood and cause a flood of the rest of the floor (I live in the basement), aside from the obvious biohazard that this problem created.

Is there anything I can do in the meantime? Anything I should avoid? Any advice on how to handle this?

submitted by /u/mentallyillfrogluver
[link] [comments]

How did I fix it ?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:35:39 -0400

Suddenly one day earlier this week we started to have a cold water drip in our bathtub faucet. The bigger problem was that it was also dripping down into the basement. I called a neighborhood plumber who offered to give me an estimate by phone based on photographs of what the job might be. At first I didn't really think the photographs would be any more helpful than the verbal description of what I believe to be the issue which I believed was the cold water valve needed to be replaced. I believed it was the cold water valve because the water was cold and I had replaced the hot water valve under similar circumstances many years ago. It just so happened that I remembered I had randomly acquired a faucet puller which I had not had when I replaced the hot water valve.

Thinking that I could get a photograph that would help the plumber identify the valve, I decided to use the faucet puller to take a better photograph. Ever since I used the faucet puller, the dripping completely stopped.

Not sure how to explain how I fixed it. If anybody can offer an opinion my curiosity is really piqued. Thanks

submitted by /u/MinMadChi
[link] [comments]

Help?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:30:32 -0400

I have no idea what is going on… Water is leaking through my basement from the tank…. Any help is appreciated as trying to find an emergent plumber today.

submitted by /u/Odd-Ad9521
[link] [comments]

I’m losing my mind HELP

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:28:13 -0400

I’ve used chat gpt, google images, everything I can think of. How do I pull this faucet off? Nothing moves and no screw shows. The shower head is leaking and the handle doesn’t hit a “stop” at the bottom anymore and just just continues to turn.

submitted by /u/Emergency_Trash_2180
[link] [comments]

Pipe fittings have white/green residue/buildup. But, there doesn’t seem to be any water leaking. Need to be replaced?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:28:09 -0400

Noticed this hot water line had two fittings that have green and white buildup at the joints. I have no idea how long it’s been like this. However, when I put my finger around the joints, there is no apparent water leaking or moisture. Does this seem to be a current problem that warrants replacement, or, since it’s dry, does it seem like it’s an old problem that was fixed sometime in the past?

Thanks for any help!

submitted by /u/AxlHbk8793
[link] [comments]

How to unclog

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:26:23 -0400

My kitchen sink is clogged (~90% blockage, water seeps through slowly), I suspect it is due to an Ooblek (baking soda starch based) project that someone in the house was working on. I opened up the P trap and the 90degree bend past the P trap shown here, there was solidified starchy/fatty mass clogging the pipe and extending into the wall beyond my reach. I removed as much as I could by had and using a long screw driver, however the remainder extended past the wall and into the wall where I could not reach.

Any suggestions on how I can u clog this pipe? I am considering renting a snake or auger, however do not know if it would work on this situation as I don’t want it to loosen up and harden again further down the pipe. Also dont know if drain cleaner works here.

Thanks!

submitted by /u/Normal_Cranberry_673
[link] [comments]

ball valve to hose bib?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 12:57:56 -0400

Hi! This line had only one ball valve originally. We had a family member temporarily repair a leak in that valve, but due to a lack of available parts in the right size (see temporary!) they just added another valve to stop the flow.

This line has always been stopped by a ball valve since we’ve live here, and it runs along the fence until it enters the ground about a yard from our main water line valve. Since it’s buried, we don’t know where it connects.

Is it possible to replace these two valves for a hose Bibb, or something that we can attach a hose to with an adapter or something similar? Thanks!!!

submitted by /u/haddsworth
[link] [comments]

New homeowner with slab foundation. Inspector missed leak behind toilet due to failed wax ring. Is this my slab eroding around the flange?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 12:56:32 -0400

How screwed am I boys?

submitted by /u/CoknZambies
[link] [comments]

Any way to fix this on my own?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 12:24:03 -0400

For context, I live on campus, and the house I rent is under the College I work for. We had a pipe burst yesterday night, and since I'm dependent on the Facilities Department to fix it, it won't be done until Monday sometime. We're out of water and it is about 90s all weekend. I tried super glue, but that won't hold all the water pressure, so as of right now I have the water slightly open, just enough so we can at least fill water bottles, brush our teeth and survive the weekend. Is there any other way to fix it or at least have enough water pressure to shower until they fix it Monday? Appreciate any help. Yes, it's a really old house.

submitted by /u/mattfurla
[link] [comments]

Why does my laundry closet stink all the time?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 11:35:13 -0400

I’ve dumped bleach in the drain and let it sit. I’ve ran clean cycles on laundry unit. Nothing stops the stench. This closet gets warm but not hot hot as there’s a large shade tree right outside the access door (exterior access only). The pipe drains fine never been clogged. Thoughts on the stinky odor that lingers?

submitted by /u/surftherapy
[link] [comments]

How would I replace this valve?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 10:58:07 -0400

I know pretty much nothing about plumbing, but after turning the water off and on to this toilet supply line, there’s a small drip right behind the actual handle. Tightening the nut right behind the handle didn’t fix it, so I’m thinking something broke just because of how old it is.

From what I initially researched, it seems like this is a sweat valve instead of compression since there is nothing to turn to loosen it? If so, are my only options to cut it or desolder it?

submitted by /u/Immediate-Method133
[link] [comments]

No cold water pressure but I have hot?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 09:56:09 -0400

Not sure what to do about this as I’m not handy with plumbing. Where should I start?

submitted by /u/Admirable_Damage7998
[link] [comments]

Help! Day 3 of no hot water

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 08:59:41 -0400

I moved into a new rental house three days ago and didn’t realise until the evening the hot water was not working. I’ve notified the owner, but he’s having trouble getting someone in over the July 4 holiday.

The hot water heater has power, it shares a circuit with the furnace, which is working fine.

The hot water (out) pipe is cold to the touch.

There is an auto shutoff connected to a sump, but that seems to be normal and well is dry.

The blue light on the bottom control box is blinking (if that means anything…see pics).

Any other simple things I can check?

submitted by /u/33TLWD
[link] [comments]

Single to Dual Sink - did I do it right?

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 23:37:25 -0400

Replaced the single sink vanity to double sink with common drain in the middle. Each sink has its on own p-trap. Any issues do you folks see that might give me grief in future?

submitted by /u/manny604
[link] [comments]

My cart at work

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 21:43:43 -0400

Still some mods incoming, but works great for now. Doing eye wash stations at a lab.

submitted by /u/BubaGump101
[link] [comments]

Faucet won’t turn off. Help lol

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 10:06:39 -0400

The faucet on our tub won’t shut off. I have to turn and hold it but when I let go it starts again

submitted by /u/Metalmike68
[link] [comments]

Cannot for the life of us unscrew this sink faucet from the bottom. Advice on turning these gray plastic things?

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 10:03:14 -0400

submitted by /u/Silent_Loquat_6057
[link] [comments]

pressure-reducing valve beeping

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:56:16 -0400

Hi,
I have this pressure-reducing valve (Braukmann D06F-1A) that is beeping constantly when a certain pressure is met. This sound is really annoying an resonates all accross the house.
I tried setup the pressure lower and higher and no matter what I'll get this sound when someone opens a tap.
Is there a way to physically remove this beeping sound ? Or does this sound means there is problem somewhere ?

submitted by /u/buufex
[link] [comments]

Plumbing for a washing machine/ dryer

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:49:17 -0400

Hello, can anyone tell me if this is sufficient for the plumbing of a washing machine please? The space for the machine is right next to this area and is based in a flat. I know that is the cold water tap for a washing machine. But is the white outlet that is pointing upwards the waste disposal pipe for a machine? Thanks for your time

submitted by /u/JennyBooBoo80
[link] [comments]

Floor drain in the garage. How can I fix this?

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:47:50 -0400

A rusted floor drain in the garage that is causing some concern since we have kids running around. The pipe itself is pvc but the plate seems to have been iron that rusted out. Prolly because of the road salt from the cars. How can I fix this?

The ID of the outermost pipe is 5 inches. OD is roughly 5.5.

submitted by /u/EquivalentUpper9695
[link] [comments]

UPDATE on toilet supply line

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:46:29 -0400

Will this be okay for now as long as it is not leaking anywhere?

submitted by /u/Ok_Locksmith_7055
[link] [comments]

What is this?

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:40:59 -0400

What is this metal piece coming out of the drain pipe of the bathroom sink? It’s not connected to anything just sticking out there.

submitted by /u/stillwatergreen
[link] [comments]

Want to extend shower arm

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:39:52 -0400

submitted by /u/richj499
[link] [comments]

Different toilet types?

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:37:39 -0400

Hello, I am hoping to replace our current toilet type, like pic 1, with something like pic 2. Is this possible? Thank you in advance

submitted by /u/cronchykettlechips
[link] [comments]

Kitchen tap/arm(?) keeps coming loose

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:33:42 -0400

Hello, our kitchen tap keeps coming loose whenever we open it past a certain point due to water pressure.

I will try teflon but that will probably be a quick fix, if it works at all. Any ideas?

submitted by /u/MauserMonroe
[link] [comments]

Hi I have a 2 inch pipe in the attic into which my AC drip line drains. It joins my girls’ dual sink below. If I am just maintaining-how much vinegar should I pour down the drain and how often? Thanks!

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:31:30 -0400

submitted by /u/Minimum_Hope9668
[link] [comments]

Help please

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:21:55 -0400

Can someone let me know what is wrong here, and how to fix it (or if I should just call a plumber)?

submitted by /u/JTogger
[link] [comments]

Washing machine leaking

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:18:38 -0400

Hi everyone,

I have a bauknecht wat plus 622 di top loader washing machine that is leaking underneath itself as soon as it starts to fill with water (start of cycle). I have no experience in washing machine parts. This is a picture of it opened on the side, i can see that the belt is loose. Do you think this could be the reason why it leaks? If not do you have any recommendations?

submitted by /u/QuarterPractical3654
[link] [comments]

Leaking from tank-to-bowl bolt on American Standard toilet. New bowl needed?

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:18:05 -0400

Bought a tank-to-bowl kit to fix a leak, replaced the bolts, washers, and rubber gaskets. Leak continues. Took a picture of both bolts on the underside and noticed hairline cracks on one side (2nd picture). I'm guessing I should be ordering a new bowl? Thanks in advance

submitted by /u/fissi0n-chips
[link] [comments]

Replace fridge saddle connection on water line?

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:12:32 -0400

This saddle connection is how the previous owner connected the copper water line to the fridge. I believe it punctures straight into the water line. The spindly faucet handle on top (about 1.5" end to end) rotates, but not enough: it does not shut off water to the skinny copper fridge line.

What should I replace this with, given that I have a water line with a hole in the top? And as someone who has never done any plumbing before, is there an idiot-proof bolt-on solution that I can do, or should I just call in a plumber?

submitted by /u/fromaroundhere
[link] [comments]

Cartridge id

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:01:35 -0400

Is there a way from the image to tell what replacement cartridge I would need? Thanks

submitted by /u/dorianblack
[link] [comments]

Crosswater concealed box plumbed in wrong, am I screwed

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 08:46:26 -0400

Title. Im installing a bathroom at home but am not a plumber. I have mis-read the manual and have set up my 2 outlets on the 1&3 positions, it seems the manual gives outlets 2 and 3 as the only options for having 2 feeds off the box. The room is nearly finished and its fully tiled, I dont have any access to the pipes without destroying a good chunk of the tiles. Is there anything I can do to correct this using just my access to the inside of the box. For reference, the hand shower that is fed by outlet 3 works but the main shower coming off outlet 1 does not. I have spectacularly fucked this up and will be eternally grateful if anyone has advice to sort this from the box only

submitted by /u/GuyGuyerson90
[link] [comments]

How to fix this on my radiator, I accidentally hit it and it broke?

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 08:31:28 -0400

submitted by /u/stojanparable
[link] [comments]

I need help Please

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 07:58:18 -0400

Changing the toilet supply line in Mobile Home I want to change this toilet supply line to the braided supply line. Easiest and least expensive. What do I need to buy, and what tools?

submitted by /u/Ok_Locksmith_7055
[link] [comments]

AO Smith repeated igniter failure

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 06:44:43 -0400

Hi all,

Just moved into a new house which has an AO Smith Tankless Water Heater. The heater keeps giving me the 111 igniter failure code, even after the igniter has been replaced. Had a plumber come out, replaced the igniter, had hot water for 1 day, then failed again. Plumber came back, talked with AO Smith support, and replaced igniter again. Had hot water for 5 days without issue, and now the heater is throwing the same 111 code and telling me the igniter failed again.

Anyone else have this issue? At this point I’m considering just getting a new tankless water heater all together because the cold showers are brutal. It doesn’t make sense to me that the new igniters keep failing. If the igniters weren’t the underlying issue, then replacing them wouldn’t fix the problem (but it did for at least 1 day).

Any thoughts on the issue or should I just go forward with buying a new (different brand) one?

submitted by /u/Select-Act-90
[link] [comments]

Help requested with removing Delta kitchen faucet

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 06:38:47 -0400

The time has come to replace our Delta kitchen faucet. The countertop is granite and the sink is porcelain just adjacent. The faucet is mounted into a 2-hole setup with the valve in one place (already removed) and the spout in the center (herein lies the trouble). The spout has a stem with a threaded base that comes through the countertop and is held in place underneath by a large washer and then a threaded nut with two set screws. This seems pretty standard. The nut and washer are not budging. I believe they are standard threaded but tried both ways with an adjustable wrench to “grab” on to the nut’s little flange. I was able to move it about 1/6 turn by carefully hitting the adjustable wrench with a hammer but now the whole thing is turning and I’m not making any headway on getting the nut off the threaded stem.

I’ve sprayed it down with WD-40 and going to let it soak in. Maybe that will help. Other recommendations please? See photos, hopefully those sites the issue adequately.

submitted by /u/aarontram
[link] [comments]

Leaking mixer tap (Australia)

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 06:03:01 -0400

G'day all!

I've got a sink with a 'Base' brand mixer tap that seems to be leaking from between the rotating handle and the stationary base of the tap.

Problem is that there's no proper isolation valves under the sink as far I can tell, just these two flexible metal pipes with nuts on them (left is the hot). I assume I have to fully tighten the nuts, but how do I know which direction to rotate? Clockwise assuming the pipes are in the downwards position, or clockwise assuming the pipes point upwards?

... I was planning to take a pic of the inside of the tap, but without isolating the water I couldn't even get that far. Is it too early to guess at what needs replacing in the mixer tap?

Cheers!

submitted by /u/Cynical_Cyanide
[link] [comments]

If I needed to shut off my water, how would I operate this?

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 21:10:46 -0400

submitted by /u/mrfreshmint
[link] [comments]

When you’re 48 hours into the whole home re-pipe and hear water running somewhere in the house.

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 18:21:50 -0400

submitted by /u/plumb_OCD
[link] [comments]

Read the rules before posting or commenting!

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 18:24:55 -0400

Due to a large influx of people not reading the rules and how small of a Mod team we are this is here to serve as the only reminder of the rules. Just to be clear asking or commenting about prices is a permanent ban, the internet is not the place to judge if prices are "fair".

Rules are available on the sidebar.

submitted by /u/unknown1313
[link] [comments]