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...
A long shower is one of the best ways to end a hard day at work or to cool down after a strenuous workout. A hot shower on a winter night or a cold shower in the blistering summer heat can be reviving. But if your water pressure gives you no more than a trickle, you...
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,...
Most Southern California homes sit on a concrete slab foundation. Much of their plumbing runs directly through pipes in the slab. If this sounds like the recipe for a plumbing disaster, it can be. Leaks in the slab are difficult to detect and even harder to repair. A...
There are smart DIYers, and others who are — well, we won’t say it. The smart ones know their limitations. DIY plumbing repairs done right can save you a wheelbarrow of money. DIY repairs done wrong can lead to a costly emergency visit from the plumber. Worse,...
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...
