Posts Tagged ‘Bathroom Plumbing’

Las Vegas Plumbing Repair Question: Why Does My Tub Faucet Leak when the Shower Is On?

Monday, April 2nd, 2012

Here is a common and yet seemingly complex Las Vegas plumbing problem for you. You turn on your shower, flip the switch to go from tub faucet to shower head and the tub faucet continues to leak. Not only is it rather irritating, but it draws from the water pressure in the shower head. Let’s take a look at why this happens and how to quickly fix it.

Why the Leak?

There is a valve in your tub’s faucet that diverts water from the tub to the shower head when the switch or lever is pulled to turn on your shower. Because the valve is not a perfect seal, the tub faucet will drip a small amount during a shower. However, if a large amount of water is coming out of the tub faucet and very little is coming from your shower head, it is likely a problem with that valve.

In some cases, the only way to know the root of the problem is to take apart the assembly and check all of the valve parts individually for damage. The specifics of the plumbing repair process will depend largely on the type of shower and diverter valve you have.

 Fixing the Problem

To fix this problem, you can either replace part of or the entire shower diverter valve. Start by removing the faucet and pulling the screw that holds the shower diverter valve in place. Once the screw is removed, take out the rubber washer and replace it. Many times, this is enough to fix the problem.

If it is not, however, you may need to replace the entire shower diverter valve. There are some situations that make it hard to reach the shower diverter valve, such as when you have a shower handle instead of a faucet knob. If this is the case, you may need special tools or professional assistance in removing the knob to access the valve.

If you find that this does not fix the problem or that you are uncomfortable attempting this repair, contact a Las Vegas plumber who is experienced all bathroom plumbing, such as Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off

Anthem Plumber’s Guide: How to Replace a Bathroom Vanity

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Because it looks something like a dresser combined with a kitchen counter, you may think of your Anthem home’s bathroom vanity as being a piece of furniture, and therefore that it is simple to replace. Well, there’s good news and bad news there.

The bad news is that because of the sinks and pipes involved, your vanity is part of your plumbing system, so it’s a little trickier than getting a new sofa.

The good news is that it is still something you can do on your own – or at least with a friend – in a few hours or so. After you have measured the space and purchased the new vanity, here is how you can go about replacing the old one:

  1. Shut off the water supply. This is always the first step when undertaking any sort of plumbing work. Put a bucket beneath the sink to catch any water that drips from the supply lines after you disconnect them.
  2. Using a putty or utility knife, loosen the caulk that is sealing the countertop. Gently remove the countertop.
  3. Detach the vanity from the wall. Most vanity units are screwed in place to the wall, so just spot and remove all the screws.
  4. Mark the studs in preparation for positioning the new vanity. Hint: the old one was already drilled into the studs, if it was done properly.
  5. Put the new vanity in place, making sure it is flush to the wall.
  6. Attach the new vanity to the wall, taking care to screw into the wall studs that you marked in step #4.
  7. Put a bead of caulk along the top of the vanity base to hold the countertop in place. Carefully set in the new countertop.
  8. Reconnect the plumbing that you disconnected as part of step #1.
  9. Put down a thin bead of caulk along the edges of the countertop below the lip. Smooth the caulk in place with a damp rag.

Now your new vanity is all set. Allow the caulk to dry before getting moisture near it, and don’t forget to turn the water supply back on! If you have any questions or need any help, talk to your Anthem plumber.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off

MacDonald Ranch Plumbing Tip: How to Replace a Toilet Seal

Monday, January 9th, 2012

If you have ever taken a look at the base of your MacDonald Ranch home’s toilet where it meets the floor, you may have noticed a bead of caulk sealing the base of the toilet to the floor. While this watertight seal is important, there is actually a more important seal hidden within the base of the toilet.

Inside, your toilet sits on a wax ring that serves to keep sewer odors from wafting into the room, seal water from leaking from the bathroom plumbing and provides a degree of stability to the toilet installation. You may need to replace that seal if:

  • You notice leaking water at the base of the toilet.
  • You smell sewer odors in your bathroom.
  • The toilet is unstable or rocks side to side at all.
  • The toilet was removed temporarily for any reason, such as replacing it or putting down new flooring.

As it happens, replacing the toilet seal is a fairly simple and inexpensive operation that you can do on your own. To take care of this job yourself, follow these 16 steps:

  1. Shut off the water supply.
  2. Empty the bowl and tank by flushing the toilet. You may have to flush twice.
  3. Get the bowl and tank completely dry by soaking up any remaining water with a sponge, rag or towel.
  4. Remove the bolts that attach the base of the toilet to the floor.
  5. Disconnect the supply line the leads into the toilet.
  6. Gripping the bowl, rock the toilet gently back and forth to break the seals.
  7. Lift the toilet free from the floor.
  8. Now you can see the remnants of the old wax ring. Remove all that thoroughly.
  9. Place the new seal in place of the old one, centering it exactly, with the rounded side up.
  10. Replace the toilet over the seal and flange.
  11. Have a seat! No, really; this helps to create a new seal between the ring and the toilet.
  12. Reattach the nuts you removed from the base.
  13. Reconnect the water line.
  14. Turn the water supply back on.
  15. Flush the toilet, looking carefully for any leaks.
  16. Apply a new bead of caulk to the bottom of the bowl to complete the sealing job.

And if you run into any problems, talk to your MacDonald Ranch plumber.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off

Spring Valley Plumber’s Tip: How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

Whether your old faucet is broken or you just want to spruce up the bathroom a bit, installing a new faucet in your Spring Valley home is a relatively cheap and easy solution. It is one plumbing project that can be done via the DIY route, it takes only a few hours to do and it does not cost much.

Before you get started, make sure you have chosen the right type of faucet as a replacement. There are a few different kinds and you will want to replace the old sink with a similar kind in order to prevent problems and headaches during and after installation. If you’re unsure what kind you need, either consult the manual, take a picture to bring with you to the store or have a plumber take a look at it.

Once you have the right faucet picked out, it’s time to get to work:

  1. As always, turn off the water supply. There should be shutoff valves for the hot and cold water supplies right underneath the sink to make it easy on you.
  2. Unscrew the drain collar from the drain rim. Making sure everything is clean, place the house in the center of the middle hole. Screw it in place with the mounting nut. Tighten it up with a basin wrench, but take care not to over tighten. This can crack the porcelain.
  3. To install the hot and cold valves, begin by loosening the mounting nut on one and removing it. Replace it with the corresponding new valve. Repeat on the other side.
  4. Screw the braided lines to the valves you just installed, as well as to the spout. Tighten with a wrench, but again take care not to over tighten.
  5. Secure the faucet handles onto the valves that you installed in step #3. Make sure to put each handle on the correct valve.
  6. Fit the supply lines. You may have to do some cutting if you are using rigid supply lines rather than braided ones.
  7. Assemble and connect the pop-up drain assembly. You may have to test and adjust it a few times in order to get the right fit when open and closed. Secure the rods in place.
  8. Turn the water back on and check for leaks. Turn on the faucet for a bit to flush out the system before using.

Your sparkling new faucet is all set! If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to call your local plumber.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off

How to Clean a Fiberglass Bathtub: A Guide from Las Vegas

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Fiberglass bathtubs are very durable, and they have a look that can add a lot to the design of a bathroom in your Las Vegas home. However, they require special care to keep clean and avoid discoloration. The methods and products that work well on porcelain or enamel tubs will not necessarily be successful on fiberglass, and can actually cause permanent damage. Follow these instructions to keep your fiberglass clean and shiny for years to come.

Word of Warning

First of all, never use an abrasive or harsh cleaning product on fiberglass, as it can destroy the finish. When selecting a product to use on your tub, read the indications on the label to make sure it can be used safely and successfully on fiberglass. If you’re in doubt, pass on that product in favor of one of the products mentioned below, as most consumers have found them to be safe for fiberglass.

What to Use

There are a few options for cleaning a fiberglass tub. The simplest is to use something you probably already have around the house– baking soda. You can use a solution of baking soda and water on a wet rag and wipe the tub. This should remove soap scum and other minor stains without damaging the finish. Be sure to rinse thoroughly. You can also take advantage of some elementary chemistry by sprinkling baking soda around the tub, then spraying with white vinegar. The fizzy reaction dissolves stains, and you can just wipe it off with a warm rag or sponge.

Another suggestion is to try oxygen-powered cleansing powders, like OxyClean. Fill the tub with water, add some cleaning powder and let it sit for a bit before draining. You may need to scrub a bit with a plastic brush to get everything loose.

One final suggestion is to try Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or similar product. Although they require some extra elbow grease to really be effective, they are powerful and can remove the tougher stains from fiberglass more easily than you think.

Try one of these strategies or a combination of them to keep your fiberglass tub clean and fresh, which of course helps keep you clean and fresh. And if you have any more questions about how to best maintain your bathroom fixtures, talk to your local plumber.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off

How to Clean Water Spots from a Shower Door: A Guide From Anthem

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

The relationship between the water and the shower in your Anthem home is a little paradoxical. You use the water in the shower to keep yourself clean, and you can use water to keep your shower (and everything else!) clean, but if left unchecked, the water itself will leave your shower dirty and spotty.

Those spots left on your shower door are mineral deposits from water that has evaporated, leaving its mineral passengers behind. They are especially problematic in areas with harder water. Here is how you can get rid of them.

The Natural Way

It may surprise you to know that with all the chemicals available on the market for cleaning the bathroom, the best remedies for hard water are actually natural ones: lemon juice and vinegar. They are both acidic, so they can dissolve the mineral deposits, and they rinse away clean.

To use lemon juice (or a lemon), apply it to a damp sponge and wipe the door. You can also squirt the lemon juice directly on the door and wipe it with a sponge. Use this technique and let the lemon juice soak in a bit for tougher stains. Your shower will not only be clean, but it will smell like lemons.

Although it doesn’t smell as nice as lemon juice, vinegar also works well. Don’t forget the cleaning power of vinegar and baking soda, which generates a powerful chemical reaction that helps break up tough stains. For water spots, mix up a paste of vinegar and baking soda. Use a small brush, like an old toothbrush, to spread the paste around the edges of the shower door and on any tough stains. Wipe it clean with a damp sponge.

You can also use vinegar or lemon juice weekly to keep tough deposits from building up.

Other Ideas

There are some other methods you can use if the spots are really stubborn. CLR, for example, can break up very stubborn mineral deposits, but it is also toxic, so use it sparingly. Daily shower cleaner sprays work well to stop water spots from forming if used regularly. And if you think you have too much sediment in you water, look into a water treatment system.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off