Danville Plumber - TOILET BASICS: UNDERSTANDING TOILET STYLES, WATER USAGE, AND HOW THEY WORK! - Guaranteed Plumbing Co Danville - 925.820.2090

Whether you’re in the beginning stages of a bathroom remodel or you just need to replace your outdated or inefficient toilet, you may be wandering the aisles of a home store or browsing your computer wondering things like:

Which toilet is right for my bathroom?

What does gpf mean?

Do I need a one or two piece toilet?

Can I save money on my water bill?

And what’s the difference between all these toilets anyway?

Never fear!  We’re here to give you a two part easy-to-understand series in toilet basics, including types, sizes, and flushing systems, so that you leave with a clearer understanding of what you really want and need in a toilet!

Types of Toilets and How they Work:

Gravity Fed: The most common type of toilet is the gravity-fed model, which uses, well, gravity.  It relies on the weight of the water and the head pressure (how high the water is in the tank) to flush.  A gravity fed toilet has free-standing water sitting in the tank.

Pressure-Assist : The lesser used pressure-assist toilet depends on air pressure within a cylindrical vessel, inside the toilet tank.  Air inside the vessel forces a vigorous, rapid flush.

Dual Flush: A dual flush toilet is a type of gravity fed toilet.  Dual-flush toilets give users two flush options: tilt the handle up for liquid waste to save water, or push the handle down for a standard flush.  Dual-flush toilets often meet the HET (high efficiency toilet) criteria of averaging 1.28 gallons per flush or less (an average based on one high flush and two low flushes).

Toilet Technology and Water Use:  Recent toilet technology has allowed toilets to use less water than ever.  That term that keeps popping up in toilet descriptions, gpf, stands for gallons of water per flush, and is a measure to help identify water usage.  Toilets manufactured before 1980, not uncommon in many homes that haven’t gone through a bathroom remodel, usually need 5 to 7 gallons of water per flush (gpf), and toilets from the 1980s to 90s typically use 3.5 gpf.  In 1992, the U.S. government mandated that toilets use no more than 1.6 gpf, changing modern design and manufacturing.

It’s easy to see why replacing older toilets with the newer models can result in significant water and sewer savings.  Replacing a 3.5- or 5-gpf toilet with a 1.6-gpf toilet can save about 9,740 to 17,300 gallons of water per year.  Meaning today’s high-efficiency toilets use less water than ever, yet outperform many of the older, water-guzzling ones.

source: bath plumbing, consumer news

http://www.guaranteedplumbingco.com

Danville Plumber - Low-Flow Toilets: Pros, Cons - Different Brands on the Market - Guaranteed Plumbing Co Danville - 925.820.2090

The average person flushes the toilet six times a day. The average low-flow toilet uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush versus older technology toilets which used up to 7 gallons per flush. Water conservation like this not only helps the environment, but it can also help your wallet as well by consistently lowering your water bill each month. Though low-flow toilets can cost a bit more to install initially, the economic benefits over time are quickly making low-flow toilets an industry standard.

Despite their many obvious advantages, low-flow toilets are not known for their power and can sometimes fail to flush a particularly large bundle. Though we here at Guaranteed Plumbing are happy to drive to help you with a clog, we know that you’d rather just avoid the situation altogether to begin with. 

New technology is making it possible to get powerful flushing and water conservation all in one. If you’re considering installing a low-flow toilet in your home or want to upgrade your current model, the following brands are some of the best options on the market.

1) Toto Ultra-Max: Quiet, powerful, and consumer-friendly, this toilet is easy to assemble and is known for its “three second flush.”

2) Caroma Caravelle: Featuring dual flush technology that allows a half-flush button for liquid waste and a full-flush button for solid waste. Dual flush options are quickly gaining popularity in many homes around the country. 

3) Kohler Archer One-Piece: Chic and powerful, this toilet highlights “gravity-fed” flush technology that makes it quieter than normal pressure-assisted models. Consumer Reports recently did a feature blog and video on the Kohler One-Piece.

4) Toto Drake: Has what many industry professionals consider to be the most thorough and powerful flush, leaving nothing in the bowl.

5) Kohler Purist Hatbox: For those looking for a toilet that’s a little less intrusive and a little easier on the eyes, the Kohler Hatbox is a great low-flow option. With a modern design that stays true to its name, the Hatbox is powerful while still remaining stylish.

And remember, no matter what toilet suits you best, Guaranteed Plumbing will always be there to help when something goes wrong!

source: Consumer News

http://www.guaranteedplumbingco.com

 

San Ramon Plumber - How to Install a Kitchen Sink - Guaranteed Plumbing Co - Danville, CA

 

A shiny new sink, along with a new faucet and countertop, will jazz up a kitchen as much as new flooring and appliances, and for considerably less money. These days, it isn't that difficult to install a new sink and faucet, thanks to fittings that simply screw or glue together—often without solder or torches

Illustration: Gregory Nemec

The trickiest part of installing a new sink and faucet is connecting the sink's drain—the pieces between the sink's tailpiece and the waste line. Always start at the sink tailpiece and work down. This is where a swivel P-trap with a trap adapter earns its keep. It can swing side to side on two different axes and adjust up or down.

Before you head off to the store, Richard recommends drawing a "map" like the illustration here and checking the inside dismeters of the tailpiece and waste line, usually 1 ½ inches. Then, instead of buying a kit, get only the pieces you need, including Schedule 40 PVC pipe to cut and fit as needed.

Photo: Keller & Keller

Mark the counter's back edge to center the sink within its cabinet.

If sink has a template, align it with the mark on the counter. Place its back edge 1 1/2 inches from and parallel to the counter. Trace around it; proceed to Step 2.

If there's no template, use 2-inch tape to outline the sink location.

Mark the center of the sink on its back lip.

Lay the sink upside down on the counter. Align the mark on the sink with the one on the counter.

Adjust the sink to leave 1 1/2 inches between its back edge and the backsplash. Be sure sink is parallel with the counter's edge.

Trace around the sink, then remove it.

Measure the width of the sink lip, subtract 1/8 inch, and mark inside the sink outline by that much.

To make the cut-out lines, connect all the marks with a straightedge. 

Photo: Keller & Keller

After using a straightedge to connect the marks, you'll end up with a rectangular outline of the sink's hole on the counter.

Round off the corners by hand to approximate the radius of the sink's corners.

Next, use a spade bit that's slightly wider than the jigsaw blade (1/2-inch bit is usually sufficient) and drill a hole inside the radius at each corner of the cut-out lines

Photo: Keller & Keller

Lower a jigsaw blade into a front hole and saw along the cut line to back hole. Repeat on the other side.

Lay a scrap of wood a few inches longer than the cutout across the sink area. Screw through the scrap and into the cutout waste to prevent it from falling or binding the saw blade.

Cut along the front and back cut lines. Remove the cut-out piece.

Check the fit of the sink in countertop; trim the hole with the jigsaw, if necessary. 

Photo: Keller & Keller

Set the sink upside down on a padded sawhorse or counter.

Feed the faucet's supply tubing and tailpiece through the gasket that seals the faucet to the sink and then up through the hole (or holes) in sink.

Screw the mounting nuts and washers to the underside of the sink deck.

Make sure the faucet can swing in a full arc across the sink before tightening mounting nuts. 

With the sink still upside down, pack a thick roll of plumber's putty under the strainer's lip and push it up through the sink's drain hole.

Slip the gasket, washer, and housing (if your strainer has one) onto the strainer and against the underside of sink. Dab pipe-joint compound onto its exposed threads.

Thread the locknut onto the strainer by hand, then tighten it with pliers while holding the strainer in place.

Fit the gasket onto the sink-drain tailpiece and attach it to the strainer with its slip nut. Tighten the nut by hand while holding strainer. 

 

Photo: Keller & Keller

With sink still upside down, squeeze a bead of silicone caulk around the underside of the sink's lip.

Turn the sink upright and set it into the countertop hole.

Check that the front of the sink is parallel with the front edge of countertop. Adjust it, if necessary.

Connect the faucet to shut-off valves using acorn-head supply tubes or braided stainless steel hoses. 

Photo: Keller & Keller

Assemble the trap adapter onto the sink-drain tailpiece.

Cut and dry-fit lengths of PVC pipe to connect the trap adapter to the trap and the drain elbow to the waste line. Swivel the trap or slide it on the tailpiece to fine-tune the pipes' lengths and alignment. Take the drain pieces apart.

Clean off the cut ends with a utility knife. Coat them and their mating pieces with PVC primer. Let dry.

Swab PVC cement on both ends being joined. Immediately push pieces together. Hold for 30 seconds.

Reassemble and hand-tighten all threaded connections. 

 

Photo: Keller & Keller

Attach the dishwasher drain line to the waste nib of the tailpiece. Tighten the hose clamp with a screwdriver.

Remove excess putty from lip of strainer.

Remove the aerator from the faucet and run the water full blast. Look for leaks at all connections along the supply and drain lines. In case of leaks, carefully tighten the nuts by one-eighth turns until the leak stops.

Make sure the sink's front edge is parallel to counter's edge. Fill the sink with water to weigh it down and hold it tight overnight as the caulk sets. 

 

source - JEFFERSON KOLLETHIS OLD HOUSE MAGAZINE

Danville Plumber - How to Fix a Leaky Outdoor Faucet - Guaranteed Plumbing Co. Danville

 

Step 1: Tighten the packing nut
If the faucet is leaking around the stem, use a wrench to tighten the packing nut under the handle. If this doesn't fix the problem, move on to the next step. (Editor's note: Use a second wrench to hold the faucet in place where it connects to the building when tightening the packing nut)

Step 2: Shut off the water supply
If the faucet is dripping from the spout, the faucet fixture will need to be removed. Shut off the water supply to the outside faucet by turning the valve handle.

 

Step 3: Remove the valve assembly
Open the faucet completely by turning the handle all the way open. Loosen the entire valve assembly by using an adjustable wrench on the section beneath the packing nut and above the spout. (Editor's note: Use a second wrench to hold the faucet in place where it connects to the building when loosening the section beneath the packing nut and above the spout, which is not shown in the video.) Remove the valve assembly.

Step 4: Remove packing nut washer or graphite string
Using a socket wrench, remove the retainer nut that attaches the faucet handle. Unscrew the packing nut with an adjustable wrench, and remove the nut by sliding it up the stem. Use a screwdriver to pry out the packing washer or graphite packing string inside the washer. 

Step 5: Replace the packing nut
Replace the old packing washer or graphite string with a new matching washer or string. Slide the packing nut back over the stem and tighten with an adjustable wrench. Replace the handle and retaining nut or screw. Tighten the retaining nut with a socket wrench or screwdriver. 

Step 6: For a leaking spout, remove the compression washer
To stop water dripping from the spout, replace the compression washer inside the valve assembly. Using a screwdriver, unscrew and remove the retaining screw. Remove the worn compression washer with a small-bladed screwdriver. 

 

Step 7: Replace the compression washer
Remove the old compression washer and replace it with a new matching washer. Replace the retaining screw, and screw the new compression washer in place with a screwdriver. 

Step 8: Re-attach the valve assembly
Open the handle of the valve completely. Re-assemble the faucet by screwing the valve assembly into the faucet fixture. Tighten the valve stem assembly with an adjustable wrench. Be sure to hold the valve with your free hand while you tighten the valve assembly. The packing nut should remain loose. (Editor's note: Use a second wrench to hold the faucet in place where it connects to the building.)

 

Step 9: Tighten the packing nut
Using an adjustable wrench, gently tighten the valve stem packing nut until snug. (Editor's note: Use a second wrench to hold the faucet in place where it connects to the building, which is not shown in the video.) Close the faucet valve handle and turn on the water supply to the faucet

source: http://www.renovateyourworld.com/HowTo_Library/How_to_Repair_a_Dripping_Outdoor_Faucet-Faucets-S2659.html
text by Benjamin Hardy

http://www.guaranteedplumbingco.com

San Ramon Plumber - How to find the leak in your shower or bathtub - Guaranteed Plumbing Co

How do you go about diagnosing a leak. Leaks let you know they exist by water appearing and pooling, soaking or staining something. It could be a ceiling below, the floor next to the bathtub or shower or even in a hallway floor outside the bathroom. While the proof does let you know that you have a leak, don't read too much into the location. I've seen ceilings get water damaged not from the bathroom directly above them, but from a bathroom above them and 50 feet on the other side of the house. Water has a funny way of running down hill and finding the path of least resistance, it can leak from one area and run all the way to another place before it shows itself.

The first rule is not to jump to conclusions. Think logically of course. Bathroom directly above water damage, could be that bathroom is the culprit, but keep an open mind don't get too narrowly focused yet you could be on a wild goose chase and you don't ever want to start tearing open walls and ceilings until you are reasonably positive you are in the right place.

Rule #2 is the mind will play tricks on you. It's very easy to associate circumstances and confirm circumstances in your mind. I can recall one particular problematic leak that the homeowner swore was related to running the shower. The ceiling was damaged directly under the shower upstairs and they connected in their minds that every time their son who took a shower after work in the afternoon it would leak, but it wouldn't leak any other time. If someone took a shower in the morning it wouldn't leak. Well it turned out it was a plumbing vent pipe unrelated to the shower that went right up next to the shower and through the roof of the house. The roof around the vent pipe was damaged but the roof was configured in a way that rain wouldn't cause much water to get into the hole, but that winter we had a big snow storm and every day after it got warm the sun in the afternoon would melt the snow that had accumulated around that vent pipe and it would leak down and run all the way down that pipe and pool in the ceiling below the bathroom. It would take it 3-4 hours and sure enough it would coincide with about an hour after their son took his afternoon shower. So be careful what you assume and what you associate, the mind will try to find ways to confirm your suspicions.

The final rule is to confirm your suspicions. You must always test your suspicions. And think about how you are testing it, make sure the way you are doing it isolates any other possibility. This is the only way to truly find the leak. You must do isolated tests of each suspicious item one at a time.

So let’s take a typical shower or bathtub with a tiled surround and either a bathtub or a fiberglass shower pan. You've got a leak of some sort showing up either outside the tub/shower and you've observed and eliminated that it isn't the kids splashing water over the side at bath time or water leaking out the shower door.

The culprits are: 

The tile surround, which could be the grout, the corners or the connection where the tile meets the tub or the shower pan.

The drain, which would be the drain itself or the overflow in the bathtub

The valve in the wall.

The plumbing connections in the walls such as the hot and cold feeds to the valve and then the connection of the valve to either the shower head or the tub filler.

So we have only 9 individual things that it could be. So that at least makes it easy. 9 Is a lot but if we are systematic we now have a list and a process to find out which one it is.

Let’s start with the drain.
Start with examining the drain itself and the area around the drain, are their any cracks is the drain loose or nice and firmly seated? Get in there and step around it, put some weight on it see if a crack shows up that you didn't see until you put some weight on it. If you see anything like that you might have your culprit right there. But like I said don't jump to conclusions we must test, test, test!

Let's isolate the plumbing that is attached to the drain. We need a rubber hose running to a water source not in the shower or bathtub (remember we need to always isolate our tests, you can't run the shower or tub valve to test the drain without running the risk of the problem is really the valve right?) Most home improvement centers will sell different types of rubber hosing by the foot. You can purchase a length of it that will be big enough to go over your vanity faucet aerator. So get your rubber hose and stick it into the drain and run the water for 15 minutes. Come back and see if you see your leak appear where ever it has always shown up. If it usually doesn't show up for an hour, wait an hour. If you see your leak, it's the plumbing attached to the drain and you are done testing. No leak, now it's time to test the drain itself, take your rubber hose out and run the water into the shower pan or tub and do your wait and check. If you get your leak it's something to do with the drain itself, or that crack you found. See how easy this is.

Now let’s say no leak yet. Well, now we know that it's not the drain or the drain plumbing let's now move onto the valve and the plumbing in the walls. If you have a leak before the valve you would have a leak all the time. So obviously we don't have leak in the hot and cold water lines attached to the valve in the wall or you would know it by the constant leak. If it's a tub, lets test the tub filler, since we know the drain is not leaking, just turn on the tub filler and fill the tub. Let it run for 15 minutes and check. If you see your leak you've got a leak between the valve and the tub filler, there is probably a copper elbow or a joint that is broken. If you didn't find your leak let's check the tub overflow while we are at it. Close the drain and fill the tub up to the overflow and let it overflow into it for 15 minutes. Find your leak? It's the overflow connection where it is attached to the tub.

Okay let's check the shower head plumbing. The shower head is connected to the valve by a copper pipe all we need to do is plug the shower outlet and turn on the valve, this will pressurize that pipe in the wall with water. To do this you will need to take off the shower head and cap the shower pipe stem with a threaded cap you can buy. Or remove the entire shower head and stem and insert a threaded pipe with a cap into the elbow in the wall. However you do it, just plug it and turn it on for 15 minutes, the pipe will be filled with water under pressure and now if you find your leak it's the connection of the valve to the shower head. 

Okay if you still haven't reproduced your leak it's pretty easy from here, you've eliminated everything else but the tile surround which by the way is usually the number 1 or number 2 most likely cause of leaks. So from here all you need to do is turn on the shower head and aim it at the walls, now this is not scientific and will not usually result in a very accurate locater of the exact spot. A better way is to take your rubber hose, hook it up to the shower head stem and hold that hose over each wall for 10-15 minutes apiece until you find your leak. This way you will know for certain exactly where it is. Examine the tile, look specifically at the grout, do you see any hairline cracking or missing grout in the area? That's usually all it takes. Press firmly is it spongy?

The final thing to do is after you think you found your leak, is to wait a day and try it again. Double check it and make it leak again. Stop now and think about it, make sure you have it positively isolated. If you do all that and you are systematic you should now have found your leak!

source: http://www.rockymountainbathrooms.com/how-to-find-a-leak-in-your-shower-or-bathtub.htm

http://www.guaranteedplumbingco.com

San Ramon Plumber - Drain Management - Guaranteed Plumbing Co - Danville, CA

A home’s drain system is one of the most overlooked systems in the home. It is out of sight/out of mind until there is a problem. Although it appears to simply be pipes connected together, it is actually a complex system designed to provide a seal to prevent sewer gases from entering the home, removes solid wastes and removes waste water. Unlike the toilet, the other drains typically found in the home (Kitchen, Bathrooms, Laundry Room, Mud Room) are designed to manage waste water and not solid wastes.

The home owner has the ability to control this system in many ways before having to call in professionals.

How does a drain become blocked?

·         Short term

o   Excessive amount of solid waste put down drain

o   A foreign object put down the drain that is too large to pass

o   Grease is put down the drain and settles in the trap

·         Long term

o   Biofilm and/or fungal growth in piping

o   Settling of particulate matter over time

o   Build up of materials such as food or hair

Quick Tips for the Home Owner:

Sinks or Lavatories – General

·         Do not put grease down the kitchen drain as it can solidify and cause plugging. Pour cooking grease into an empty coffee can or something similar. When it becomes full, toss it in the trash.

·         Even if you use a garbage disposal, uncooked vegetables such as carrot and potato peels, broccoli stems, corn cobs or husks, asparagus, other fibrous fruits and vegetables, are best disposed of in the compost pile or the non-recycling trash.

·         Don't wash coffee grounds, tea bags or egg shells down the sink. Remove paper and toss the rest in the compost pile or the non-recycling trash.

·         Pasta and rice may not pass through the garbage disposal -add to disposal slowly while running water. They are best disposed of in the compost pile or the non-recycling trash.

·         Minimize the organic solid wastes (ie food) that are put down the kitchen drain. Follow with water to flush the pipes.

·         Do not put materials that cannot decompose down any drain.

·         Do not allow hair to go down the lavatory drain if possible – remove from the lavatory and dispose of in the trash.

·         The performance of system can be improved by regularly applying a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or an organic type drain cleaner.

·         It is a good practice to periodically fill the sink with water and then release it to flush your piping.

·         Harsh drain cleaners are not recommended – they are poison, give off harmful fumes when used, can harm skin and eyes and can damage some types of pipes.

source:

http://www.nkba.org/Learn/Homeowners/Tips/FaucetsAndPlumbing/DrainManagement.aspx

http://www.guaranteedplumbingco.com

San Ramon Plumber - Learn to make faucet repairs and get your sinks in tip-top shape - Guaranteed Plumbing Co Danville

Let's face it, faucets wear out. They simply don't last forever, and eventually a working faucet morphs into a leaky faucet. The remedy is to fix it or replace it, it's that simple.

 

What's funny about broken faucets is that they often still work despite their leaky tendencies. In the last year alone I've had to replace our kitchen faucet, a faucet in the master bathroom and a faucet handle in one of our showers...

Average time living with these faucet repairs on the to-do list? I didn't keep track, but it was easily months. Countertops collected water around the handles and a shower required a little extra gripping power to turn on and off for the better part of a year.

What made me finally tackle each faucet repair is the same theme I always talk about - If I can fix it myself cheaply and stress free, the satisfaction for getting it done will far outweigh the nuisance of making the repair. It's a nice reward.

Swapping out a rusting kitchen faucet with a stuck cartridge (read: cemented) inside so the granite counters stopped turning dark from seeping water made us feel better about our kitchen more than we ever had.

And while a new kitchen faucet cost more than a few dollars, the new handle in the shower cost less than a few dollars. Oh...how nice it is to operate a working handle each morning.

Further, I once made a faucet repair in our guest bathroom that didn't cost anything. We had to reverse the hot and cold on the faucet, and as entertaining as it was to hear our guests yell "Yeow!" when they thought they were getting into a warm shower (but got cold instead), this easy and free repair was well worth it..

So ask yourself - is there a faucet or sink needing repair in your home right now? If so, I want to help you take a look and see how you can make your own repairs (most often the case), or if it's time to remove it, hold a memorial service, and move on to shiny new faucet. I'll help you through it all.

Common Sink and Faucet Repair Projects

Aside from faucet repairs, there are a few other parts to any one sink that might also be calling for your attention.

Accessories like broken sink sprayers adorn many a kitchen sinks, and down below, a garbage disposal repair can come about out of the blue, exactly when you need to use it the most. Both of these require only basic skills and knowledge to repair and will bring a smile to your face when you're done.

In basements and garages, wall-mounted sinks get loose over time and need repairing - not the much more expensive alternative of replacing.

Or, perhaps you want to install something new in the realm of faucets. Outdoor water faucets are a popular summer project; for example, helping homeowners water gardens more easily or rinse off after a day in the pool.

source: http://homerepairgeek.com/faucet-repair

http://www.guaranteedplumbingco.com

 

 

Danville Plumber - Rocking toilet and loose toilet seat fix - Guaranteed Plumbing Co - Danville

Rocking toilet and loose toilet seat fix

 

Sitting down to do your business in the bathroom, you don’t usually expect your toilet to be loose and rock back and forth. In fact, nothing feels less secure in this room in terms of sustaining an embarrassing injury. Fortunately, a rocking toilet isn’t going to cause you much personal harm, but a loose, wobbly toilet is still something you should fix since it can eventually lead to a water leak and damage your home. Most of us haven’t ever removed a loose toilet before or even have a clue how it’s done. So, fixing a rocking toilet by say, replacing or repairing a broken toilet flange may seem daunting. Don’t despair, if you tackle this problem with a mindset that all you are doing is fixing your wobbly toilet, then you can focus on that task and accomplish something you never thought imaginable in a do it yourself project. So without further ado, let’s see what may be causing your toilet to be loose and how to fix it.

Broken toilet flange causes rocking toilet Your wobbly toilet may be moving because the mounting bolts that hold it down have nothing to grab onto anymore. You might think your loose toilet bowl is held down to the floor by a couple bolts. While this is true, you should know that the bolts don’t go directly to the floor. Instead, they secure to a toilet flange. Think of this flange as a strong metal or plastic ring. It’s this piece that is bolted to the floor, and also sometimes secured to the drain pipe called a “bend”, which is made of sturdy iron.. Now, you might get lucky and just be able to tighten down these bolts, but if the bowl is rocking or as been for a while, it’s time to take a look at the flange underneath. In this how-to article, you’ll need to start with lifting up your loose toilet from the floor. This isn’t so bad, just be sure to turn off the water supply valve first. Second, give it a flush to drain the bowl water. And third, undo the bolts holding down the toilet. After lifting up you’ll be able to see the broken toilet flange that caused the unsturdy toilet.. You have two choices here: Fix the broken or cracked toilet flange or replace the broken flange altogether.

Fix broken toilet flange – this is usually the more popular choice mainly because it is easier and can really do the trick if your broken toilet flange is iron or metal. The part you’ll need is an adapter called a super flange or spanner flange (see here). This is a semi-circle piece that fits over or underneath your broken toilet bowl flange. It’s job is to provide a new hole for the mounting bolts to hug onto. Pick one of these up (or two if you discover that both sides of your toilet flange are broken), using the previous link or visit your local hardware store. Follow the directions, and your rocking toilet will be solid again.

Replace broken toilet flange – you may be one of the lucky ones who finds that their broken toilet flange is beyond repair (e.g. is cracked or split into several pieces), or that it is old and corroded. Again, this isn’t a terribly difficult task. A new toilet flange will give you years of solid toilet mounting. Assuming again that you’re now looking at your broken toilet flange, you can remove it by unscrewing the bolts (should be three or four depending on the model) that hold it to the floor. In older, vintage homes, you may not have any bolts holding it down as it was secured with lead (molten when poured in around the bend pipe). If this is the case, you’ll need to use a chisel and hammer to break the iron flange out of position. Be very careful not to damage the main pipe, called a “bend”. After removing the broken iron flange, simply place in your new toilet flange. Models with rubber gaskets (seals) and brass rings will be the best here. Just make sure the flange is flush tight with the top of the floor, otherwise your toilet will wobble. Follow the easy instructions that come with your product, being sure to tighten each of the four bolts a little at a time so the rubber gasket goes down evenly around the bend pipe.

Don’t forget that whenever you lift up your toilet, you’ll be breaking the wax seal that keeps water from leaking. Simply clean off the old one and insert a new one. Or better yet, replace with a a wax free seal for cleaner, better installation.

Loose or broken closet bolt making toilet wobble As probably the easiest fix, your loose toilet may simply be due to your loose toilet mounting bolts needing to be tightened. Simply remove the small plastic bolt caps at the base of your toilet (they will be on each side, and can be pried off with a small screwdriver). You’ll see a nut, and it should be unmovable with your fingers. If either of these nuts is moving, tighten them down with a socket wrench. No need to be as tight as your muscles can muster, since the material your toilet is made from can crack under too much strain.

If these bolts are actually broken, however, you’ll need to replace them. The bolts can be purchased by themselves, so don’t feel like you need to buy a whole toilet flange repair kit. Just remove the old bolts and insert the new ones. The best kind will be made from brass.To do this correctly, you will need to lift the toilet from the floor, so you will need to purchase a new wax seal to replace the one you’re breaking apart by removing the toilet. This will be a good time to inspect your toilet flange too.

Poor install can cause a toilet to wiggle Your loose toilet troubles could be related to the way your toilet was last installed. This can happen if you have your bathroom floor redone, and the level or height of the floor changed. If so, check that they didn’t shim the toilet to raise it up. This is not a solid install and can easily lead to a toilet that moves when you sit down over a short time. Follow the instructions for replacing a broken toilet flange. You may have to carve out some of the tile or other flooring around the edge of the drain hole so that you can place a new flange down into the hole since the old flange may have been positioned higher for the old floor.

As with any do it yourself project, if fixing a loose toilet seems complicated and you wish to hire a plumber, at least review this article so that when the plumber explains the problem you’ll understand more what he’s doing. You can even inspect that it’s done right and ask educated questions so that your rocking toilet doesn’t return any time soon!

source: http://homerepairgeek.com/toilet-repair/loose-toilet-fix.html

Danville Plumbing - How to Install a Toilet - Guaranteed Plumbing Co - Danville

Illustration: Gregory Nemec

If your trusty toilet has developed cracks or leaks, uses far too much water per flush, or is simply a shade of baby blue not seen in 20 years, it may be time to replace it. You might consider this a good time to put in a call to the plumber, but it can be all in a day’s work for a reasonably handy do-it-yourselfer. It’s not for the weak, since toilets are heavy and unwieldy, but if you have a strong back (or a sturdy assistant) you can save yourself the cost of a house call by installing it yourself.

Here, we asked This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey to show how to install a new toilet. The time required varies, but give yourself half a day if you’ve got a lot of experience with plumbing jobs, and a full day if you’re a novice.

Stuff a rag into the soil pipe to block sewer gas and prevent hardware from falling in.

Check that the hole in the floor is large enough to accommodate the closet flange up to its collar. If the hole needs to be enlarged, trace around the flange's base with a pencil, then cut away the excess flooring with a jigsaw. Don’t cut any joists. 

Dry-fit the soil pipe into the closet bend. Place the flange over the soil pipe, then measure the gap between the bottom of the flange's collar and the finish floor.

Remove the soil pipe and use a handsaw to trim it to the measurement in the previous step. Remove burrs by scraping the cut edge with a utility knife. 

Dry-fit the flange to the soil pipe, and the soil pipe to the closet bend to ensure the flange's collar rests on the floor.

Wipe PVC primer on the inside of the closet bend and on the outside of one end of the soil pipe. Apply PVC cement to those same surfaces and immediately twist the soil pipe into the closet bend.

Prime and apply cement to the free end of the soil pipe and the inside of the closet flange. Twist and press the flange onto the soil pipe until the collar is seated on the floor.

Rotate the collar until its slots are positioned to the right and left of the hole. (The closet bolts, which will be inserted into the slots, must line up parallel to the wall behind the tank.)

Secure the collar to the floor with stainless steel screws long enough to bite into the subfloor.

TIP: When gluing a fixed-collar PVC flange, align the bolt slots quickly before the cement sets.

Shut off the bathroom's water-supply valve.

Place a bucket beneath the supply line, then sever the line with a tubing cutter. Leave about 1 inch of pipe to attach the stop valve and escutcheon. Allow the pipe to drain.

Remove the valve's handle and stem. (Heat from soldering may damage the stem's plastic washers.)

Dry the pipe inside and out with a rag. Clean the inside and outside of the pipe and the inside of the valve's inlet using a wire-brush pipe cleaner. Apply flux to both areas.

Slip the escutcheon over the supply line, followed by the stop valve; the valve's outlet should point upward.

Heat the supply line stop valve joint with a propane torch. Once the joint is hot enough to melt the solder, remove the flame and run the solder around the joint. When a drop of solder appears at the bottom, the joint is filled.

Insert the long brass closet bolts, threaded-end up, into the flange collar's slots. Slip a brass washer over each.

Gently press the wax ring, flat-side down, over the flange.

Lift the toilet bowl over the flange, align the holes in its base with the closet bolts, and lower the base onto the ring.

Without twisting or rocking, press the bowl down onto the wax ring until the bowl's base rests on the floor. If the floor is uneven, shim the bowl with stainless steel washers.

Slip a nylon washer over each bolt, then hand-thread the nuts. Tighten the nuts with a wrench one quarter turn at a time, alternating between the two. Stop when the wrench meets firm resistance; overtightening will crack the bowl.

With a hacksaw, trim the closet bolts at a point two threads above the top of the nut. Snap the plastic bolt covers into place.

*Begin with this step is replacing an existing toilet or a faulty wax seal.

Make sure the large-diameter rubber tank-to-bowl (or spud) washer on the outside of the tank's bottom is firmly seated.

Fit the small-diameter rubber tank washers into the small tank holes from the inside of the tank, then insert the tank bolts.

Gently lower the tank onto the back of the bowl, guiding the ends of the tank bolts into the holes. 

Slip a nylon washer onto each bolt, then hand-thread the nuts.

Holding each bolt head in place with a screwdriver, hand-tighten the nuts, alternating from nut to nut and checking repeatedly to make sure the tank is level. Overtightening will crack the porcelain.

Connect the tank's handle to the flapper chain.

Using a tubing bender, curve the supply line to fit between the stop-valve outlet and the tank-supply fitting. Then hold the pipe, flared-end-up, between these two points and mark it half an inch below the outlet. This will leave enough line to sit inside the outlet.

Cut the supply line at the mark made above, using a tubing cutter.

Slip the plastic nut, compression nut, and compression ring (in that order) onto the supply line. Add a thin coat of Teflon paste to the valve's outlet threads, then seat the line in the outlet, and fit the compression ring.

Hand-tighten the supply line's plastic nut under the tank. Then tighten the compression nut with a wrench

Position the seat assembly over the bowl, then insert the plastic bolts through the seat back and the bowl's seat holes; tighten the nuts by hand. 

Turn on the main supply line, open the stop valve, and allow the tank to fill. Flush six times. Check for leaks.

by Scott Gibson

source: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/overview/0,,250406,00.html

Plumbing San Ramon - Bar Sinks - What you should look for - Guaranteed Plumbing Co - Danville

There are now a wide variety of options for bar sinks - they range from the smaller space-saving sinks to the commercial-size ones (those that have many bays). To make it easier for you to make the decision, you must think about the available space you have and the amount and quality of entertainment that you will do in your home bar.

As a matter of fact, before designing your bar space, you would need to foresee how much entertainment you will probably do, the number of guests that you will welcome at a time, and the distance that separates your kitchen and your bar space.

Bar Sinks for Small Parties

For instance, if you will throw one party a month, and host small number of guests each time (less than 20), then you would likely need a sink that would be good for quick washing of glasses, rinsing of blenders and mixers, and so on. For these tasks, a small drop-in type of sink might be enough, or a stainless steel single-bay type might even save you some space. It may also be best for you to have the sink mounted in the counter that is underneath the bar as it is the most convenient location. One bay type sinks usually have side drain boards and back splash boards, and is very easy to install. In addition, a stainless steel type that is of restaurant quality will last a longer time and can be a good investment.

Bar Sinks for Big Parties

On the other hand, if you plan to host more frequent and larger parties, you would want to think about reserving bar space and opting for a 2 or even 3 bay commercial sink. Making frequent and long trips to your kitchen for cleaning and washing of glasses and other bar accessories can not only be disruptive to your guests, but can also take you away from being able to entertain them. Wandering through the crowd frequently with trays of glasses can also be distracting and can potentially lead to undesirable accidents. Larger 3 bay sinks can accommodate glassware preparation, cleaning, rinsing and drying all in the same place. These models also are equipped with back splashes, swivel faucets, and side drain boards which are most convenient for party hosts. Also, they are quite simple to install. Aside from these benefits, these large sinks are usually adjustable so that they perfectly fit into your bar space, wherever you install it (against the wall or under the bar). You would only need to leave the right size opening on your under bar counter tops, slide the assembled unit in, and connect the water supply and plumbing drains. Of course, best results can expectedly be achieved if you let a professional do it for you.

Thus, choosing the right bar sink for your home should not be done carelessly depending on what you feel like. You should make sure that it matches your bar design style and has just the right functionality.

source: http://www.streetdirectory.com/etoday/bar-sinks-and-faucets-peple.html

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Danville Plumbing - Things You Should Know About Your Home Sump Pump - Guaranteed Plumbing Co Danville, CA

As mechanical things go, we don’t often think about the sump pump. It’s down under the house, out of sight and out of mind. In reality, your sump pump is one of the hardest working pieces of equipment in your house.

A typical submersible sump pump drains water year round, and when a rainstorm hits the  water pump works extra duty keeping your basement from flooding. Some homes  have sump pumps to aid in basement or under the house drainage.

So, here are a couple of things to consider:

Sump pumps are mechanical and will eventually fail.  Average sump pump life is 10 years. The most common reason for failure is the sump pump switch.

If your sump pump fails during a rain storm, hundreds of gallons of water can  flood your basement  in a matter of minutes. It doesn’t take much water to cause thousands of dollars in damage.

Basement flooding can ruin your furnace, water heater and other mechanical and electrical devices. According to the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association these appliances must be replaced.

Sump pumps should be checked for proper operation a couple of times per year – pour some water into the sump pit until the submersible pump cycles. This is usually an easy process and only takes a couple of minutes.  Don’t wait for a failure during a rainstorm to find out your sump pump doesn’t work.

Again, all sump pumps eventually fail, so you should protect your home with a battery backup sump pump.  If you have a finished basement, a battery backup system is essential.

Battery backup systems range from basic to very elaborate.  My experience has been the basic systems seem to fail when you need them most.  While you don’t need to spend a fortune, you will find that for a few extra dollars you can get a good quality battery backup sump pump. These systems give you an extra measure of defense. They not only protect your belongings in case of a power failure, but automatically kick in should your primary water pump fail. 

Written by Erik Schroll

Orinda Plumber - You Dropped Your Cell Phone in the Toilet - Guaranteed Plumbing Co Danville

What To Do: Those fireplace tongs might come in handy for this problem, too—otherwise, you're just going to have to reach in and go fishing. "Put on your longest pair of rubber gloves and grab it," says TOH plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey. If it gets stuck, a plunger can make the problem worse. "The pipe gets narrower inside the trap, and if the phone gets wedged, it's going to be a bear to get out," Richard says. If all else fails, a plumber may be able to hook it on the end of a snake. Once you've retrieved the phone, remove the battery and SIM card, dry them with a paper towel, and, if it's worth the $100 it will cost you, take the phone to an electronics repair shop, where they can open it up and dry the components inside.

How to keep this from happening to you: Lest you feel like a fool, nearly a third of the 20 phones fixed each day  are suffering from the ill effects of a spin in the loo, Don't multitask. That way, you won't lose your new iPhone. (Or offend your friends.)

source: This old house magazine
by Johs Garskof

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San Ramon Plumber - How to Stop a Flood in its Tracks - Guaranteed Plumbing Co Danville

 Learn what to do when pipes burst, fixtures leak, or appliances flood

Image by: Randall Enos

When pipes burst, fixtures leak, or appliances cause a flood, stop the deluge by cutting off the water at its source. Take a moment to locate all of the shutoff valves in your home so you'll be prepared for an emergency. 

Whole-house shutoff. For a home served by a well, the shutoff will be on the house side of the pressure tank. You should also cut power to the tank so it doesn't detect a phantom pressure loss and burn out trying to compensate. In a home with metered water, look for the shutoff on either side of the water meter. Remember, your meter could be located in the basement, mounted on an exterior wall, or even out near the street in a concrete "meter pit" where the household feed line meets the utility main. 

Whole-house hot-water shutoff. On your water heater there should be a valve on the hot-water outlet, which controls all of the hot water to the house. If there isn't one on yours, you or your plumber should install one. 

Toilet shutoff. Look for this inline shutoff — typically a ribbed oval handle — under the toilet tank. Sink shutoffs. These inline shutoffs usually sit just beneath the sink or within the cabinet or vanity. The one on the left is usually for the hot water, the one on the right for cold water. 

Dishwasher shutoff. Look first under the kitchen sink. Often there's a reducer coupling and shutoff valve leading to the dishwasher on the 1/2-inch hot-water sink-supply line. Not there? If you have a basement, look between the ceiling joists just below the appliance. 

Clothes washer. There should be valves where the house-supply lines meet the washer hoses. Washer hoses are notoriously weak, so always close the valves when leaving home for an extended period.

source: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,193969,00.html

by John D. Wagner

 

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Alamo Plumber - Skills You Need to Survive Homeownership - Solder a Copper Pipe - Guaranteed Plumbing Co Danville

Don't get caught with your toolbelt down—learn this technique and tackle any household emergency with ease

Learn to sweat a pipe properly and you can save some bucks by doing simple plumbing repairs yourself. Just make sure your joint starts with clean pipes (no water or grit inside).

1) Deburr inside the pipe ends with a reamer, then polish the outside with an emery cloth.
2) Coat both parts with flux and fit them together—wherever the flux is, the solder will flow.
3) Hold a propane torch flame on one side of the joint. When the flux bubbles, touch the solder to the other side of the joint and move the flame away. The solder will be sucked all around the fitting. The heat draws the solder toward the hottest point
4) Immediately wipe the joint with a damp rag. New joint, no sweat.


source: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20434090_20863283,00.html
this old house magazine


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Danville Plumber - Fix a Leaky Faucet - Skills You Need to Survive Homeownership - Guaranteed Plumbing Co Danville

Too bad a house doesn't come with an owner's manual. And a week-long seminar where you learn what every button, switch, and wire is for. Alas, the keys to the castle come with no troubleshooting guide to dog-ear—and, we're betting, no wise master to unlock the mysteries of the place you call home.

Then again, that's what we're here for: to provide fast fix-it advice when it's time for you to do your home owning duty. Because at some point, you're going to have to know how to change out a light fixture without zapping yourself to kingdom come. Or paint a double-hung without gumming up the works. Or stem the flood when the toilet overflows. And you're going to want to do things right. The first time. 

This particular type of water torture is likely due to a failed washer inside a handle. The faucet is just the messenger.

To replace the washer, turn off the water supply valve under the sink. Stuff a rag in the drain so you don't lose parts, then take the handle apart. Pop the screw cover on top, remove the screw, and pull off the handle. Use a wrench to disassemble the stem, and line the parts up on the counter in the order they came off, so you know how it goes back together. Examine rubber parts or plastic cartridges for cracks, and take the offending piece to the hardware store for an exact replacement. Reassemble the parts you've laid out, in reverse. Then revel in the ensuing peace and quiet. 

source: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20434090,00.html
this old house magazine


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San Ramon Plumber - Cause of a Cracked Sink? - Guaranteed Plumbing Co Danville

 

Have you notice that a sink in one of your guest or main bathrooms has cracked even though it is 10 to 15 years old. Porcelain is a fairly brittle material; you don't need a rambunctious kid to break it. All it takes is a dropped jar of hand cream, or a blow to the countertop, or a sudden extreme temperature change from pouring scalding water into a cold sink; any of these could easily cause the crack. It might not show up immediately, either, but repeated exposure to the stresses of cold and hot water and a buildup of dirt will eventually enlarge and darken it to the point that it becomes noticeable.

This isn't an immediate problem, unless the sink is actually leaking, but cracked porcelain can't really be fixed, either. Replacing it will be easy, so I'd be inclined to get it out of there now. While you're at it, replace the faucet and both its water-supply tubes and the stop or shutoff valves under the sink. If they're as old as the sink, they're all ready for retirement.

source: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/asktoh/question/0,,1547835,00.html
Richard Trethewey