Kathleen, who loves to have clean grout in Peoria, AZ, asked a common question about sealing grout. "Thanks for the info on cleaning the grout. After it is clean can I paint some protector sealer on the grout? A tile man did once when I was in my other house and it kept my kitchen safe […]
Tim Carter demonstrates in less than a minute how to connect pex piping. Tim's a master plumber so you can trust him! CLICK HERE to read my recent column on connecting pex pipe. Tim shared this video in his November 7, 2014 Weekend Warrior Newsletter
Connect PEX Pipe - So Very Easy and Fast DEAR TIM: I've got a major bathroom remodel I'm jumping into and luckily I'm allowed to do the plumbing work myself where I live as long as it meets code. My inspector says I can use pex pipe and it seems too good to be true. […]
Disposer Cleaner - You Just Need Liquid Soap Does your garbage disposal smell like a rat died in it? You know, that foul odor? Let’s talk about why it happens. The odor is from rotting food that’s coating the side walls and bottom of the disposer. Many people don’t use a disposer the right way. […]
Margaret Warren has a mess down in Alvin, TX. "We had travertine mixed blocks laid as kitchen backsplash. The installer didn't know to seal the tile, so now we have the crevices and pits filled with grout. How would you recommend removing the unwanted grout. It's two days old and we've been working to remove." Ouch! […]
Okay, so let's see if you know how to calculate what the payback period is on the EcoDrain product. Don't attempt to do this if you're not versed in semi-complex math problems!!!! Here are the figures I want you to use. Modern shower heads reduce flow to 2.5 gallons per minute. Let's assume three 10-minute […]
Quick Column Summary: Drain tailpiece does not line up Flexible tailpiece barely fits Find the right fitting Jesse Shumate, who decided she wanted to be a master plumber like me, wrote: "I installed new cabinet and counter top in my bathroom. Now the drain tailpiece does not line up with the p-trap. I'm using a […]
Quick Column Summary: Tiling on stained concrete Clean floor with oxygen bleach Test thinset for bonding to concrete Teresa Norrell, from Moyock, NC, has a pretty simple question. "Can I install tile directly to a previously stained concrete floor? I fear the thinset mortar will not adhere to the stained concrete." Here's my answer: Teresa, […]
Quick Column Summary: Painting tiles to hide grout lines Grout lines may not fill thick enough Easier to replace tile with drywall Stefania, who lives in the wonderful city of Johannesburg, Africa, has a fascinating question: "Hi there! I would like to paint over my bathroom tiles, however I don't want to see the lines […]
Quick Column Summary: Toilet will not flush solids Test for clogged drain line Problem might be toilet design Or it might be hard water deposits Carlton, who live in the epicenter of delicious, juicy peaches in Peachtree City, Georgia, has a nasty problem with his toilet that won't flush properly. Let him describe his distress: […]
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