Plumbing Tips
How the plumbing in your house fits together, and the small habits that keep it out of trouble.
Plumbing Tips Guides
How to Plan Shower Drainage When There Is No Nearby Sewer Connection
A new shower needs a suitable wastewater connection before use. Discuss the layout, drainage design and approvals before choosing equipment.
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Shower Plumbing: Supply, Controls and Drainage
A shower has a pressurized supply side and a separate wastewater side. Identify the symptom before choosing a repair.
What Is a Diverter Valve, and How Does It Work?
A diverter selects the water outlet. The correct repair depends on whether it is part of the spout or a separate valve.
When Was Indoor Plumbing Invented? A Short History
Indoor plumbing developed through many changes in water supply, drainage and fixtures. There is no single date that describes every part of it.
What Is a House Trap? How This Old Sewer Fitting Causes Backups and Odors
Many older Fredericksburg homes have a house trap, a U-shaped fitting where the sewer line leaves the house. It was built to block sewer gas. It also catches grease and debris, which is how it ends up behind backups and smells.
Plumbing Projects Happen in Three Phases: Planning, Rough-In and Finish
Every plumbing project moves through the same three phases. Planning sets the layout and budget. Rough-in runs the pipes before the walls close, and finish puts in the fixtures and tests the system.