How to plan and design a bathroom

What is plumber's putty?

It is a sealing putty used for a variety of tasks including to seal basket strainers, garbage disposal rims and tub drains.

What is the purpose of pipe joint compound or tape?

They reduce friction in assembly and provide a watertight seal.

Which is better for sealing - Teflon(TM) tape or thread joint compound?

They do the same job, but Teflon(TM) tape is easier to work with and makes a cleaner joint.

What kind of solder do I use on a water line?

Health codes require lead-free solder.

Do you recommend plastic pipe cleaners and primers?

These are applied to a pipe and fitting before applying the solvent weld glue to ensure a strong bond. Their use is always a good idea, especially if it's for a water supply line or the connection is going to be somewhere that will be difficult to get to in the future.

What does flux do?

It cleans the surface prior to soldering. It prevents the oxidation of the metal. And it allows the solder to flow freely.

Is there a wrench I can use that will not damage the brass, aluminum or other soft material?

Yes, a strap wrench grips the pipe without teeth.

What does O.D. and I.D. mean?

This refers to the diameter of a pipe. Some pipes are measured based on their outside diameter, or O.D. Others are measured by their interior diameter, or I.D.

What is the difference between soft copper tubing and hard copper tubing?

Hard copper is rigid line used throughout the house. Soft copper is used where flexibility is needed, such as faucet supply lines.

What is a compression fitting?

This type of fitting squeezes a brass or plastic ring around copper or plastic tubing.

What is a flare fitting?

A connector is slipped over the end of a copper tube, which is then flared out using a special tool. The fitting can then be screwed into another fitting.

Can I solder soft copper?

Yes

How do I solder copper tubing?

Clean the inside of the fitting, clean the outside of the tubing, apply acid flux, heat the fitting and apply the solder.

Can I attach metal fittings and plastic fittings?

Yes, there are transition fittings that make this possible.

How green is your bathroom?

When it gets right down to it we don't want any messing around with our most private of rooms. I was listening in recently to a talk radio program where the thing that bugged people the most was low flow toilets. One caller had gone through two generations of problem johns and was now assembling a contraband high flow toilet from used parts. He was seriously thinking about starting a black market for the same. The truth is most low flow toilets only promise developers greater housing densities by participating with municipalities and exchanging high flow for development. Lower flow per flush means more flushes are possible with the same scarce resource therefore we can build more housing because now we can flush more times. If you are a victim of this low flow nightmare there is a fix for you. Most manufacturers offer a toilet that has a pressure tank instead of the traditional water closet attached to the back of the toilet. The pressure tank is activated when you flush and water enters the system at normal house pressure, approx. 35-50 psi. This type of toilet, while a little noisy, gets the job done well and still uses the allotted amount of water. These toilets cost about $300.00, but are well worth it from a water-saving and frustration standpoint.

Clogged pipes are another nuisance that we just can't be bothered with. If a quick plunger blast doesn't solve the problem we're all too eager to get out the Draino and get matters on their way. Sometimes people will chemically burn out the trap in their bathroom or kitchen sink, requiring its replacement, instead of removing the trap and simply washing it out. By far the most common replacement part for kitchen or bath is the trap and j-bend. Bacterial drain openers have been around for years and do a better job than chemicals or plungers. Simply introduce a small amount of drain cleaner with warm water once a month to your kitchen and bathroom drains and your lines will remain clear of debris.

How 'bout that low flow shower head? If you're going to spend a large portion of your life in the shower and you hate the 2.5 gallon per minute shower head you have, spend about $20.00 and get a really nice one. While your at it look at the tub spout if you have a diverter type shower and see if part of your 2.5 is going right down the drain. If it is you can fix that for about $10.00.

The thing that claims most shower drains is hair. A good shampoo can yield enough fiber to clog any shower drain and this coupled with an already slow drain can create big problems. Most drain cleaners won't touch hair (they will dissolve the gunk around it giving you the impression that it cleared the problem). You can buy a small filter that fits around your drain and catches the hair before it enters the drain lines or you can remove the hair from the lines using a flexible rod that has a pincher attached to the end to grab the clog and remove it.
A shower can also be a breeding ground for mildew and bacteria. To remove it you need to use something fairly strong, but to prevent it keep a sprayer with denatured alcohol in the shower and use it on the dampened surfaces every day the shower is used. Better ventilation can prevent moisture from accumulating on surfaces and can cut down on mildew growth.

Look for those little drips from the faucets. They usually only need a washer to repair but without the fix they can use as much water in a day as you do. All of these devices are designed to be repaired with a minimum of skill.
 

Water Testing

Products are now available that enable home owners/renters to perform their own water tests. In our store three different water tests kits are available: (1)Bacteria, Nitrate & Nitrites, (2)Lead, (3)Hardness. American Water Service produces the kits under the brand name Purtest (TM).
Bacteria is the nation's number one water problem and the most important contaminant to be treated. The PurTest Bacteria, Nitrate test kit is used by The Centers for Disease Control and is endorsed by the American Ground Water Trust. The EPA recommends that everyone test their water for lead. PurTest Lead allows consumers to perform three tests at different locations in their home. PurTest Iron Hardness Is an economical way to check the general quality of water or of an existing softener or filter.
 

Caulking 101

1. Scrape out old caulk with a crack opener or old bottle opener
2. Swab a 1/3 bleach, 2/3 water solution in cracks to kill mildew. Wear gloves and rinse well.
3. Rinse again with denatured alcohol (not isopropyl) to completely dry the area.
4. Push caulk along crack as opposed to pulling it like you do toothpaste on your brush. This forces caulk into the crack and forms a better seal.

Problem: Surrounding the tub or shower, mildew becomes embedded in caulk or sealant, creating black, gray or brown areas on the surface causing it to appear soiled or dirty.
Solution: For mildew resistance use acrylic latex sealant or silicone sealant with mildewcide (read label),

Problem: Caulk does not stick to wet surfaces or non-porous materials such as ceramic, Formica, or plastic tub surrounds.
Solution: For adhesion use siliconized acrylic sealants. They adhere well to a wide range of building materials under wet conditions. Also they are less expensive and easier to use than silicone sealant, with less odor. Not recommended for adhesion are vinyl acrylic caulks. They tend to lose adhesion under wet conditions and tail away from surfaces.

Problem: When caulk is painted, paint cracks, peels, discolors or loses sheen.
Solution: For paintability use painter's grade acrylic latex caulk, Most silicone sealants cannot be painted (read label).