Build a Basic Plumber’s Tool Kit

Looking for a creative gift idea for the home improver in your life? Last week, Ethan came up with a list of handyman gifts that are easy to purchase online and will ship in time for the holiday. Here’s another idea we think many handymen (and handywomen!) might enjoy – a basic plumbing tool kit. You can build the kit for about $40-$50 from the local big box department store. Why a plumbing... 

How to Install an Electric Water Heater

Installing a new electric water heater (or replacing an old one) may seem like a task reserved for a seasoned plumber… But for the motivated do-it-yourselfer, this project is actually relatively simple and can be accomplished in less than half a day with tools and materials available at the local big box. Not only will you feel great about doing it yourself, you’ll save about $150-200 on... 

Replace a Main Water Valve on Copper Pipes | Plumbing with Copper

Just about every homeowner I meet has significant apprehensions about undertaking plumbing projects. Perhaps it’s the tools involved (you’ll need a propane torch and several other special purpose tools)… but we think more likely it’s the fear that a misstep will result in a flooded basement, or worse, a flooded basement while the family is on vacation. The reality is that while... 

How to Sweat (Solder) Copper Water Pipes for a Watertight Seal

Soldering pipes (called sweating) is the standard way to join two or more pieces of regular copper pipe together.  A solder joint forms a strong, watertight seal that will last for decades or longer when done properly.  In fact, a proper solder joint is less likely to leak than the rest of the copper pipe, which can develop pinhole leaks do to chemical erosion. For many homeowners the thought... 

Turn Off Water Using the Main Cutoff Valve on the Street

In the event your inside main water valve fails, there’s one final backstop you can operate to shut off water to the house: the main water valve on the street.  The picture below shows a typical water meter cover found in cities and counties across the U.S.  With the cover off, you can see the water meter and the county’s cutoff valve (to the left).  Note that water meters and cutoff... 

Soffits (Bulkheads) Contain Pipes, Electric Wiring, Duct Work, and more…

A bulkhead is a blocked area of a ceiling that is lower than the rest of the ceiling, usually by about 4-12 inches.  Bulkheads can be decorative (for instance, when used over kitchen cabinets), or functional (when used to cover structural elements, electric, plumbing, or HVAC components).   In some cases, bulkheads are both decorative and functional.  For instance, a bulkhead over kitchen cabinets... 

15 Fun Facts about Plumbing

Ok, I admit it… I stole this Fun Fact idea from Jim over at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity.  He writes a personal finance blog and has written several fun facts posts including this one about credit cards.  Jim usually includes 50 fun facts, but he’s been blogging for, like, eons… We’re still young, so 15 is PLENTY for us.  The research for this article was a lot of fun. ...