Plumbing & Electric — Plumbing & Electric « Plumbing & Electric

How To: Make a Siphon Hose

Get the requirements You will need a plastic cap (from a bottle), PVC pipe, and a tube with a diameter not larger than the cap's.

How To: Get rid of that smell coming from your shower

In this tutorial, we learn how to get rid of that smell coming from your shower with Bob Schmidt. First, you will want to clean out your drain pipes to make sure the smell is not coming from there. If the smell is coming back out, you will need to do additional work. If water gets saturated into the base of the shower, then there should be some gravel around it so the water can soak through and go down into the drain pipe. If moisture soaks through the tile grout, then it can bring out the se...

How To: Replace a toilet ballcock with a fill valve

Most older toilets have older-style fish and ballcock for toilets. But they are prone to fault, like running and constant water. Replacing them with a newer-style fill valve will save water and frustration now and later on. Watch this plumbing video tutorial to learn how to replace a toilet ballcock with a fill valve. It's a little more efficient and it's pretty straightforward, so see how to replace your valve!

How To: Cut a machine screw without damaging the threads

Every electrician knows you have to cut a screw every now and then to make it fit. But do they do it properly? Most will probably just use their linesman's or dikes, but using your wire strippers equipped with screw cutting is the proper way. Watch this video tutorial to see how to cut a machine screw without damaging the threads. An electrical screw or machine screw can be easily cut with a pair of electricians pliers. Cutting metric screws this way means that the thread will not be damaged ...

How To: Swap an old ceiling rose with a modern light fixture

Modernize your home with a new ceiling light fixture. That old, traditional ceiling rose with the decorative chandelier or light fitting might just not look right anymore, with all of your modern furniture and appliances. The best thing… replace it.

How To: Join copper pipe without solder using "Just for Copper" pipe glue

Tired of soldering? Well, there's a solder-less solution to joining pipes together. Check out this handy video tutorial on how to join copper pipe with "Just For Copper" pipe glue. Just For Copper is a solderless bonding solution for copper pipes and fittings. This is very useful in areas where a blowtorch cannot be used.

How To: Replace the washer in your shower faucet to stop a leak

Before you pull out your phone book (okay, pull up your laptop and start up Google) to find a number for a handyman, why not attempt to fix your broken shower faucet yourself? Yeah, we know it's kind of annoying to find your tool box and remove your entire shower faucet unit, but it's actually quite easy to fix a basic leak in your shower.

How To: Flush the lines on a Delta kitchen faucet to stop unwanted noises

One of the main causes of noise in a kitchen faucet (when turned on or off) is from obstructed lines. And the only way to stop the noise is by flushing them. Lowe's brings you this video from Delta on just that: flushing your Delta kitchen faucet to silence the noise. You'll need a cloth, towel, 1/8" allen wrench, adjustable wrench, bucket or mixing bowl, white vinegar, channel lock pliers, screwdriver and an extra set of hands.

How To: Replace the toilet tank fill valve

If you have a damaged toilet tank fill valve, you'll need to replace it as soon as possible. It's an important part to your toilet that makes sure your toilet is working properly.

How To: Fix a running old style fill valve toilet

This Home & Garden video shows you how to replace a running old style fill valve toilet with something more modern. Shut the supply line to the toilet and flush to remove the water from the tank. Then remove the supply line. Now take a wrench and loosen the plastic nut of the old fill valve located under the tank. Then lift the old valve and keep it aside. Take a 'flow master', which is a new type fill valve, place it in the same spot and hand tighten the nut under the tank to hold the flow m...

How To: Wire a single pole light switch

Before working on any circuit in your house, make sure you turn the light off at the circuit breaker and then test it at the switch. Use 14-2 wire which has two insulated wires, a white and a black, and a bare copper wire which is used for grounding. First you run a 14-2 wire from the main circuit panel into the switch box. Then run a 14-2 wire from the switch to the light bulb. The black wire from the main circuit panel gets attached to one of the poles on the switch. The black from the 14-2...

How To: Cut and join plastic pushfit pipes

Learn how to cut and join plastic pushfit piping using pushfit connectors and compression fittings. While plastic piping has its drawbacks and, depending on its application, actually be carcinogenic, it is, at least, very easy to work with. For step-by-step instructions on cutting and joining plastic pushfit pipes, watch this home plumbing tutorial.

How To: Identify the switched live wire in a lighting circuit

Before undertaking any electrical project, it is imperative that you know precisely what it is you're doing and to keep in mind that electricity can kill. With that said, this electrical tutorial presents a guide to identifying the switched live wire on a lighting circuit and also explains how to rewire a ceiling rose. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on completing this home project, take a look.

How To: Unclog a backed up kitchen sink

Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder.com demonstrates a few simple ways to unclog a household sink. Watch and learn!

How To: Install a leak-free faucet with a plastic supply tube

Tim Carter, of Ask the Builder, shows the easiest way to install a leak-free faucet at home with some plumbing fittings.

How To: Cut through hard to reach PVC pipe with a simple nylon string

Have a PVC pipe that's in an awkward position and you're having a hard time reaching it to cut it? This video demonstrates that cutting a PVC pipe is as simple as wrapping a nylon string around it. Now you can cut through a PVC pipe without a saw or knife.

How To: Remove and change out a hose bib (threaded faucet)

If you want to replace a hose bib outside of your house make sure you take a look at this guide to learn what tools to use and how to prepare. For example, you will need to make sure you turn off the water in your home beforehand. So grab a crescent wrench and a set of pliers and install your new hose bib.

How To: Replace the ballcock valve to stop your toilet moaning

Are you tired of having to listen to your toilet moan all the time? Toilets are like children, they should be seen and not heard. If you've got a moaning toilet, you need to replace the ballcock valve. Watch this video to learn how to do this toilet repair without making a mess.

How To: Adjust the float cup/ball height in your toilet tank to save water

Trim down your water bill and do the planet a favor by adjusting the water height in your toilet tank. The Fluidmaster's float cup on the fill valve can easily be adjusted to set water height in the cistern, just by fine-tuning the water level adjustment clip. This process is very similar for regular fill valves, too, with float balls instead of float cups. All you need to do is hit the sweet spot—the lowest water height needed to properly flush the toilet.

How To: Solder copper pipe for use in plumbing

Take on the challenge of home plumbing repair- how else are you going to get an excuse to use a blowtorch? Watch this video to learn how to solder, or "sweat", copper pipe. Make simple plumbing repairs a breeze by learning the basics.

How To: Replace or install a vanity light in your bathroom

You're so vain, you probably think this how-to video is about you! You can update the look of your bathroom by simply replacing the vanity light above your sink in the bathroom. This video shows the simple step-by-step process required to replace or install a bathroom vanity light.

How To: Replace or install a hand shower in your bathroom

Bring the luxury of a hand held shower head into your home. Follow the step-by-step instructions in this video to learn how to install a hand help shower head unit in your bathroom. It doesn't take many tools or much time!

How To: Install recessed lighting in your home

If your home needs a makeover, why not take things into your hands instead of waiting around for some reality TV pretty boy? This video shows you how to install recessed lighting, a sleek look for any room in the house.

How To: Install a new programmable thermostat

If you are concerned about your electric bill, you might want to take control by installing a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to manage the temperature- and amount of electricity being used- in your home. The installation is simple and requires almost no tools.

How To: Replace and install a pendant lighting fixture

Bring a touch of elegance into your home with a gorgeous pendant lighting fixture. Lighting is one of the easiest ways to dramatically transform the atmosphere in your living space. Whether its an apartment of a house, pendant lighting fixtures make for a stylish home.

How To: Use the Atmos meter bypass tool to hook up a methane tank for gas supply

If you are interested in hooking up and using a bypass tool to incorporate a methane tank in your supply gas system, watch this video and follow the instructions. This video demonstrates how you can use the Atmos meter bypass tool.

How To: Build a walk-in shower step by step

Most of us would love reclining into a steaming, soothing bath of warm water with a glass of champagne and a good romance novel, but let's face it: With all that we have to do these days, we're lucky if we have ten full minutes in the bathroom to ourselves.

How To: Repair a leaking pipe caused by a loose washer

Drip, drip, drip. Other than maybe a fly buzzing around your head in concentric circles, a leaky pipe is possibly the most annoying thing you can hear in the middle of the night when you're trying to get some sleep. Thankfully, though, a leaky pipe is one of the easiest plumbing problems to fix all by your onesies.

Shortcut: Fix a Wiggly Wall Outlet

Normally the idea of messing with an electrical outlet makes me squirm, but Apartment Therapy's quick fix for a loose wall outlet means skipping out on a costly electrician bill. Not only is a wiggly wall outlet unsightly, but it can also be a fire hazard. The solution is simple:

How To: Remove a shower stall and replace it with a new one

You can't go scrub-a-dub in the tub - at least not comfortably so - if your shower faucet is leaking, or if your current tub valve is stuck and not letting any shower water come through. If your shower is broken beyond repair then your best plan of action is to take the whole thing out and reinstall your shower stall. We know this big - and potentially disasterous - procedure has been parodied many a time on popular TV sitcoms, but it's actually realizable if you're careful and follow the ste...

How To: Install the shower base and connect it to the drain

Before you whip out your iPhone and call your neighborhood plumber for a job that's sure to cost you a pretty penny, check out this video to learn how to do some impressive plumbing yourself. Using a few tools you probably already have lying around your house, you'll learn how to install a shower base in your shower unit and then connect it with the drain - effectively, you'll be setting up a plumbing system.

How To: Repair a tub and shower valve

Drip, drip, drip. Annoyed yet? YES! So, watch this video and find out how to repair that tub and shower valve that's been giving you such a headache. This clear how-to will walk you though the plumbing steps necessary to do it yourself.

How To: Install or move a shower valve

This two part video show you how to remove an old shower valve, preparation and installation of a new shower valve. Also, you'll see how to clean, cut and connect copper plumbing pipes. Don't forget to watch part two and always make sure to shut off the water main first!

How To: Replace or relocate your shower valve

If you need to move your shower or tub valve, this clear how-to will show you how it's done. Plumbing can be easy with the right info and this video is just what you need. Remember, turn off your water first!

How To: Install a brand new kitchen faucet in your house

Installing a new faucet in your kitchen or bathoom can be an easy DIY task if you follow this clear how-to. This is a great skill to know as it's only a matter of time before you're going to want, or need, to replace a faucet.

How To: Solder copper pipe together with this easy DIY

This simple how-to from Buildpedia shows every DIYer how to "sweat pipe", meaning, how to solder it together. This is a simple technique that's easy to get the hang of. You'll need a solder kit, the pipes want to solder, an aceteline torch and a few other things.

How To: Install an electrical outlet safely and easily

Installing an electrical outlet in your home or apartment may seem like a daunting task, but this simple DIY video from Buildipedia makes it a simple project. Whether your current outlet is broken, or you're just looking to add something new this video will show you how it's done.