Plumbing Articles
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 of plumbing anything is quite daunting. We all envision our basements or living areas filling up with water due to some error or oversight...
How to Repair Leaky Kitchen Faucet
Drip… Drip… Drip… It really can drive you crazy! Fixing a leaky kitchen faucet can seem like a big job, but even if you are not much of a plumber, there are some simple things you can try before calling the cavalry. Replacing a faucet can cost upwards of $250, and a simple repair might be all that’s needed to return you faucet to like-new condition. The most common cause for small leaks is mineral deposits building up over time inside the faucet housing. A simple cleaning is the right fix. This post shares the steps...
How to Remove a Dishwasher and Install a New One
This past weekend, we took a few hours to install a new Kenmore Elite dishwasher. We’re really pleased with it thus far, but we thought we’d give it some more time before writing a full review of the dishwasher itself. The installation of a dishwasher is actually a very straightforward matter. It’s a great project for DIYers of all skill levels. Read on for our instructions for removing and installing a dishwasher in your own home. Tools and Materials We grabbed a handful of tools from our workshop. Here’s the...


