Anti-Scald Tub and Shower Valves

Anti-Scald Tub and Shower Valves are required by code to be installed in all new installations and would be a recommended upgrade on existing installations. Did you know that 30% of all burns treated in emergency rooms are due to scalding? 130-degree F water can deliver a 3rd degree burn in only 30 seconds [...]

Thermal Expansion Tanks for Water Heaters

With a water heater when it is heating the water there will be some expansion, which in a closed system will increase the pressure and cause the T&P Valve on the water heater to discharge. One of the functions of the T&P Valve is to open as a safety mechanism when the pressure in [...]

Slant Fin “The Kicker” Kick-Space Heater Review

The Slant Fin Kicker is available in two models the TK-70 and the TK-90 with SMK surface mount kit and RMK recess mount kits as options. The TK-70 when installed in the kick-space configuration flows 60-cfm of air with heating capacities from 3267 to 7558 Btuh depending on the volume of water flow from [...]

How To Rid Your Home Of Septic System Odor

Inside the home there are a number of places where the septic system odor could be coming from. The most common place is from a leaking wax ring under a toilet, this is the weakest joint in the entire DWV system and is the most likely joint to leak. If a toilet is loose [...]

How To Clean A Faucet Aerator

Cleaning a faucet aerator is an easy task to perform. Frequently people wonder why the pressure is low at one faucet while all the other are flowing well or, the water stream may come out of the faucet at an angle or be in several small hard streams that splash up out of the [...]

How To Repair An Outside Faucet That leaks Inside

The only way to repair a frost proof faucet or, sillcock that has been split from freezing is to replace it with a new one. The tube that has split is an integral part of the valve and is not replaceable. The frost proof sillcocks are designed with an end that can be threaded [...]

How To Reduce The Chance Of A Sewer Backup

A simple rule of thumb is that if you didn’t eat it or, drink it, it doesn’t belong in the sewer. The one exception is toilet paper and even then if you use a toilet paper such as the good old single ply toilet paper you have reduced your chances even further. There are [...]

How To Change A Moen Single Handle Sink Faucet Cartridge

Changing a Moen single handle sink faucet cartridge in many cases is quite easy though hard water conditions can make it very difficult. There is typically a cover on the knob or lever that when it is pried off with a knife-edge exposes a Phillips Screw underneath. Once the handle is of there is [...]

How To Repair Delta Sink Faucets

Repairing Delta sink faucets is an easy job that most people can easily handle. The single handle Delta faucets use a ball valve with spring-loaded rubber seats pressing against a ball with holes in it that control the flow of water by which hole(s) and how much of the hole(s) are lined up with [...]

How I (Redwood) Do Not Use Baking Soda And Vinegar To Unclog A Drain

I confess baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain is something I have never used nor, had the slightest interest in using. It seems that everywhere I turn this popular drain cleaning myth comes up whether it is at a customers house, on-line in a plumbing forum or, even on popular “how to” [...]