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3 Steps to Diagnose a Running Toilet

Have a running toilet? Find the cause in three easy steps.

Toilet Repairs

Plumbing Spotlight10

Cool Tool – Moen Cartridge Puller

Thursday April 28, 2011

Moen cartridge puller

A Moen Puller is a very handy tool if you want to replace the cartridge of a Moen fixture in your house.

Moen has a great warranty on their fixtures and many times they will send you a replacement cartridge for a dripping shower.

If you find yourself needing to replace a Moen Cartridge, a puller will make the job easier. The Moen Cartridge Puller will fit onto the end of the cartridge and make removing it a breeze. When used correctly, the cartridge should come out as a complete unit without breaking.  Learning how to use a Moen Puller is quite simple. You just need to know where it attaches and how it will remove the cartridge.

Moen cartridges can be replaced with common tools but they are much easier to change when you have a puller.

Water Saving Tips

Monday April 25, 2011

Leaking faucet

These days everyone is looking for ways to save money and the environment. Lowering your household water usage is an excellent way to be environmentally friendly and save money.

The following plumbing modifications and fixes can help you save water in your home everyday.

  • Faucet Aerators - change the faucet aerators in your kitchen and bathroom faucets to a type that uses lower gpm (gallon per minute).
  • Shower Head - change to a water saving shower head. Many new shower heads will say how many gpm they use so look at the packaging and pick the one that it right for you. Standard water usage is about 2.5 for a typical shower head but you can get them as low as 1.5 gpm.
  • Toilet - Listen to your toilet to see if it occasionally runs when not in use. This could be a sign that the flapper is leaking inside the tank which will lead to substantial water loss. The good news is that changing the flapper is an easy fix.
  • Faucets - Even a very small drip, leaking 24 hours a day, can make a significant difference on your water bill. Fix leaky faucets (kitchen or bathroom) and any leaky shower or tub valves.



Using Teflon Tape

Thursday April 21, 2011

Do you often get leaks when you are putting plumbing connections together? You could use Teflon tape to create a water tight seal and avoid leaks. Learning where to use Teflon Tape is just as important as learning how to use it.

Where To Use Teflon Tape:

  • Use Teflon Tape on any threaded connections that don't have a built in rubber seal.
    • Shower Arms
    • Shower Heads
    • Threaded Tub Spouts

Where Not To Use Teflon Tape:

  • Any Gas Connections or threaded connections with a built in rubber seal.
    • Faucet Flex Lines
    • Water Heater Flex Lines
    • Flared Fittings

Tips For Using Teflon Tape:

  • Always wrap the tape in the same direction that the fitting will be tightened
  • Don't apply Teflon to the first thread
  • Start at the end (one thread back) and wrap the tape away from the end of the pipe
  • Use at least 4 to 6 wraps of Teflon tape
  • For cosmetic purposes, over-wrap past the threads and once the fitting is on peal back any exposed Teflon tape.

Plunger – The Plumbing Tool Every Home Should Have

Monday April 18, 2011

Baby Plumber

Plungers are such a common household object that they are often overlooked, until you get a clog that is.

Let's take a closer look at plungers, the number one must-have plumbing tool.

Plunger Facts:

  • Location, Location... - Plungers are great at clearing local clogs only, so the location of the blockage is what determines how effective your plunger will be.
  • Shape Matters - Different plunger shapes are not just for looks. The different shapes are designed for different types of drains. For help in selecting the right plunger take a look at this plunger guide.
  • Consider Contamination - For proper hygiene every home should have at least two plungers, one for the toilet and one for other drains. Keep them labeled and you won't have to worry about any germy mix-ups.

Since plungers don't come with instructions you might want to see a demonstration of how to properly use a plunger.

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