Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [plumbing-fixture]

448 questions
19
votes
2 answers

Can I still be sold plumbing fixtures that contain lead?

I'm shopping for brass or stainless ball valve to replace shutoff on a plumbing line. I see on ebay that some valves are advertised as "lead-free" while others are not. I would've assumed ALL brass/SS valves are lead-free. If I'm concerned with…
codechimp
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17
votes
5 answers

Can Teflon thread tape be reused?

I need to take off my shower head for cleaning and possible replacement. I can see there is Teflon tape on the fitting where the head connects to the arm. When I reconnect the head, can I reuse the existing tape? Do I wrap an extra layer around the…
Phillip
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17
votes
5 answers

What should I be aware of in buying second-hand sinks and toilets?

I am planning an extension to my house, including a new ensuite bathroom and a downstairs WC. To save money and embedded energy I'm thinking of buying secondhand basins and toilets. There seem to be plenty around, but I wonder if there is anything…
aucuparia
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15
votes
3 answers

How do I tighten this bathroom faucet?

My bathroom faucet is loose on the countertop. It wobbles and rotates when lifting and turning on the water. Underneath it looks like the following pictures. (It's above and behind some drywall, so most of the pictures are using an endoscope; sorry…
Phrogz
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11
votes
4 answers

Any special precautions when turning off water to a property?

When turning off incoming pressurized fresh water to a property for a few hours during non-freezing conditions, are there any special precautions that need to be taken? Specifically, is there anything that needs to be done to protect a tank-based…
RockPaperLz- Mask it or Casket
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10
votes
1 answer

When to replace a toilet's wax ring?

I just bought a new house that was built three months ago. I unfortunately flushed something big down the toilet and had to take the toilet apart, turn it upside down, and fish it out. When I was finished I simply placed the toilet back and bolted…
Kyle Bridenstine
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9
votes
2 answers

What should I replace this broken condensate line connection with?

This is on the condensation hose coming off of a 3" PVC pipe which I think is an exhaust for my HVAC system. The tube runs to a little electric pump on the floor that sends any collected water to a nearby drain. It looks like maybe a Brass PEX…
Some Hardware Guy
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9
votes
2 answers

Outside hose bibb with very fine thread?

I'm in a newly purchased house built 1998. It has three outside hose bibbs, two are standard garden hose thread but one has a very fine thread that does not match either "Hose" or "Pipe" thread. I looked at Home Depot and they have all sorts of…
Jim Garrison
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8
votes
1 answer

What type of bathroom sink supply plumbing is this?

I'd like to replace the faucet (and add shut off valves below) but am unfamiliar with current piping beneath. I've done basic plumbing (valve to copper pipe via compression hookup) but these pipes don't look copper. what are these bends (can I…
depperm
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8
votes
1 answer

What is this plumbing part?

My sister-in-law sent us a picture of this. It is in a closet in her finished basement and she isn't sure what it is or what it's connected to, but it is dripping. As a layperson, my only guesses are that it has something to do either with either a…
Trevor
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7
votes
2 answers

How to remove this plastic pipe elbow

I cannot seem to get this plastic pipe elbow (pictured below) off. It joins a plastic pipe to an outside tap and the elbow has a crack in. I've tried twisting, pulling and pushing it - but it won't budge. Is there some special tool I need, or…
james246
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7
votes
2 answers

What is this mains water/mains electricity switch in my UK kitchen?

What is this fuse-protected electrical panel with on-off switch and indicator light? It bears the label MAINS WATER SUPPLY. I have tried leaving it switched on or off for long periods of time (weeks or months) and can detect no effect either…
chasly - supports Monica
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7
votes
2 answers

What is this hose reel part called?

I have a hose reel where this one piece has broken. I literally can not come to spend another $100 on the entire assembly when all that's broken is this piece, but I don't even know what to search for in this case. Our big-box stores definitely…
GWR
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6
votes
1 answer

What is the "required" amount when using Plumber's Putty

I have a new stainless steel sink and installed a Kohler sink flange following their package instructions. The instructions for putty only stipulated "apply a ring of putty." However, subsequently, I find the instructions regarding the flange for…
Jim K
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6
votes
1 answer

Can elbow fitting be used to line up drain tailpiece with trap

I installed a new vanity and the drain tailpipe does not line up with the P trap. Can I use two 90 degree elbow fittings to make this connect? Can elbows connect to elbows directly or does it require an extender in the middle? See the picture of my…
Marilyn Ying Kempster
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