Don’t try this at home! Except that people have used these unusual techniques — and more — to fix a leaky toilet until they could call a plumber or run to the hardware store for a replacement part. You can manage without a kitchen sink for a day — there’s...
Homo sapiens is a poopin’ species. We eat, we poop, and some of us have jobs. Yet only recently in human history have we effectively disposed of sewage (poop and water plus other stuff). Philadelphians built their first crude sewer system in 1740. Today,...
Chemical drain cleaners are a go-to DIY plumbing solution for homeowners with blocked or slow drains. However, they come with risks and can damage your pipes and septic systems if you’re not careful. How Chemical Drain Cleaners Can Damage Pipes All chemical...
A plumbing disaster, if you’ve ever experienced one, is unforgettable, even traumatic. Imagine your panic when the living room floods at 10 PM and the shut-off valve fails to stop the flow. The plumber offering 24-hour service may not arrive in time to prevent...
Toilets clog for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes, they seem to clog out of spite. It’s more likely that someone put too much paper in the bowl or that the sewer pipe is getting old and working at reduced capacity. Most toilet clogs are minor and can be repaired...
Bummer. There’s a leak in the line connecting the toilet to your home’s water supply. A visual inspection reveals that the problem is caused by the threaded connection between the water line and the bottom of the toilet tank. Or the problem may lie with...
