Tool Tips - Articles - Page 8 | Plumbing & Mechanical

TOOL TIPS

Pressure-testing PEX plumbing, ergonomic pipe wrenches, repairing nut driver magnet

Tool Tips: November 2014

November 26, 2014

When pressure-testing a Manabloc and PEX system with air, after rough-in, I shut off all valves on the Manabloc, leaving pressure in each individual line.

Basement cleanout, PVC spacers, pipe storage

Tool Tips—August 2014

October 25, 2014

When opening an overhead cleanout in the basement, tie a heavy-duty plastic trashbag around the cleanout, leaving room to get your hand in to remove the cleanout plug that you previously loosened. Cut a small corner of the trashbag bottom and put a 5-gal. bucket under the hole.

Compression gasket install, cutting oil with dawn, try a compact

Tool Tips—July 2014

October 17, 2014

When installing a no-caulk shower drain, I found the best way to install the compression gasket is to use a 2-in. PVC coupling and a rubber mallet.

Saving fasteners with Teflon tape, emery cloth for threaded tailpieces, new use for worn-out gloves

September 25, 2014

Tool Tips—September 2014

Saving clean-outs, removing posi-temp cartridges, clearing house traps

Tool Tips—June 2014

June 26, 2014

It’s good to have a run of PVC male adapters from 1 1/4 in. to 4 in. on hand when on a drain-cleaning job to remove the clean-out plug.

Water closet wax rings, fitting brushes, Teflon tape

Tool Tips—May 2014

May 21, 2014

To reduce the worry of leaks in the ceiling from an upstairs water closet installation, I have found that if the closet ring is set too high, the space between the toilet and the wax ring is minimized, causing the wax to thin out.

Replacing toilet handles, water closets, tub spouts

Tool Tips—April 2014

April 22, 2014

When replacing the toilet handle on 90% of the toilets out in the field, it seems like all aftermarket handles and sometimes even OEM handles don’t fit in the square cutout of the porcelain all the time.