How To Get A Good Plumber

Immersion Heater Problems?

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:43:45 +0000

My hot water tank has a 240V 3KW 14" immersion heater at the top and bottom of the tank. The one at the bottom has ceased to function and needs replacing the problem I have is that none of the local DIY stores or plumbing agents have the right bit. One even tried to con me into buying a new tank at £200-300.

The problem I have is that a 14" immersion heater does not seem to exist. The immersion heater at the top of the tank is working fine.

Is there any way I can use a different size of immersion heater or set up a different type without having to go into too much expense.

Howdens should be able to help with a 14" heater.

http://www.hdhowden.com/

If there is no coil (for indirect heating) in the cylinder, you can fit any length up to a couple of inches less than the cylinder diameter. You don't state if it's a screw in 2¼" or a 4/6 bolt type of heater!

Plumbing Question - the area around my tub's drain rusted completely through. Can I fix it?

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:43:40 +0000

The rusted out area is fairly small - maybe an inch long and only about a 1/4 inch thick. Is there something I can do to fix it without buying a new tub???

probably not, and anything you fix it with probably won't last long. You can replace the tub, an enameled steel tub runs about $100, which is what I'm guessing you already have. It will involve some demolition to remove the old tub. Another option would be to look into a tub liner, I don't know if this will work considering you have a hole in the tub but maybe worth a shot. This road can be expensive. You can get a fiberglass tub, they run roughly $200 - $300 depending on what you want.

Is hot water plumbing connected to the toilet plumbing?

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:43:35 +0000

I have a problem. I always flush my cig butts down the toilet and now there is a plumbing problem in my apt building. They will be turning off the hot water for repairs. Will It get traced back to me?

Only cold water it routed to the toilet. Flushing drains the water to the sewage pipe. Hot or cold bears nothing to this, its all sewage.

Wrinkle rebellion!!!?

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:43:30 +0000

What do you think about the "crows feet on your arms" commercial? We have enough to deal with on our eyes. Where are the references to the crows feet in the cleavage? Plumber-crack crows feet? Where else can crows feet reside? This is meant to be light hearted and clean, BTW.

what do the crows think of this development for it is they who must supply the feet?

Should I have a plumber check my bathtub faucet since it has never been used?

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:43:25 +0000

I purchased my home seven years ago. In a remote part of my houseI have an unused spare bathroom with a full tub. The tub's never been used (or shower). I clean it with a cleaner I bring into the bathroom so it isn't dirty! My question is, by not using it this long, if I turn it on now could it cause a leak. Is it wise to call a plumber to turn it on in case there's an issue? I just wonder if pipes get rusty from unuse and as such, could that cause a rupture. That's why I'm wondering if I should have a plumber nearby just in case something bad happens?

There is already water in the pipes, so if the pipes are fine now, turning on the water in that room shouldn't change things. At worst, you may have to replace/repair the faucet because the rubber fittings may have dried out and deteriorated, but it will just leak into the tub until it is fixed, so no harm done. The water may look dirty at first, too, as it will be pushing out all the dried build-up in the pipe.
I would turn it on.
Maybe turn the water on when you go in there to clean, from now on, just to keep everything in shape.

UK plumbers - help with tap problem please.?

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:43:13 +0000

I'm trying to replace the washer in my tap but the hexagonal nut is worn. How can I remove the stem?

The tap is constantly running and I've had to turn it off under the sink but it's still dripping as I can't turn it off all the way and water is running down under the sink along the pipes - help!

you need one of the following tools :-stilsons/footprintsor mole grips
Turn off water to the tap hold the tap so it cant move then try to undo it anti clockwise if its still to hard try heating it up with a piece of rag round the nut and pour hot water on the rag then try again after a few minutes if this fails it could mean replacing the tap

hope this does the job for you

If a plumber with a handlebar moustache and German accent turned up at your door to service you pipes?

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:43:08 +0000

Would you let him in?
He's wearing nothing but denim dungarees (?) and lots of hair gel, there's something not right here…

Only if it were a fake tash and a buxom blonde lay beneath!

Will Joe the plumber be crucified for his statements?

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:42:53 +0000

The election is fast approaching, The obama machine has a way of dissecting and placing character attacks on anyone who is outside it’s agenda. They are already stating he does not have a plumbers license, also that he owes back taxes.. How far do you think they will go?

Funny how the media seemed to jump on Joe the Plumber’s lack of a license within 12 hours, but somehow missed for year that Obama was BFF with a confessed terrorist and took hundreds of thousands of dollars from Fannie Mae.

What penalties for doing electrical/plumbing work without license or permit?

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:42:40 +0000

What are the legal penalties if any for a contractor doing residential plumbing or electrical work without being a licensed electrican or plumber in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania?

You are responsible for the cost to repair any damage to propriety fro example a water leak three years from now or a house fire. If the water leak ruins a couch , TV or anything else) then you must replace it

Also you are NEVER allowed to apply for the license. That is the penalty that stops most apprentices from doing it . Once caught you have no future in the trade. Also the people who hired you must pay a $1150 if it can be proven they knew you weren't licenses.

If they didn't know then you are in real legal trouble for fraud we could be talking jail time it the licensing board is in a bad mood.

Also if the project was something like an addition for finishing a basement. Or anything else that would be noticed next time the house is on the market. The local inspector can require the work to be removed or a the very least the sheet rock removed so he can see the pipes and wire were done correctly.

I live in Maine, I am a Master electrician in
Maine
Massachusetts
and New Hampshire

The rule i discussed apply in those three states i have never worked in Pennsylvania
But you would think the rules can't be that different.

dripping water in ceiling when shower stall in upstairs master bedroom is in use. ?

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:42:32 +0000

Still leaks, what is next step. Plumber estimate $3500.00 which is not going to happen. What can I do?

is the shower above fairly new? you may have something as simple as the drain being loose in your up stairs shower it could be a number of things and maybe something very minor. what i would do it dump a couple of pails of water down the drain of the upstairs shower and see if it leaks. if that solves nothing then plug the drain and run the water. if it is a leak in the pipe upstairs most of the time it would leak when the shower is off or on. it could be loose tiles or caulking. unless the plumber opened up the walls and had a look how can he or she say the estimate is $3500. if it was me i would call in atleast 2 more plumbers and ask them to check the drain i have know of them to come loose . it just amazes me how trades like plumbers just throw out a number like that when they have no clue what the problem is.