A commercial tenant with a plumbing problem should usually check the lease to see who handles repairs, report the problem to the landlord or property manager in writing, and take steps to limit damage while waiting. Who pays and who hires the plumber often depends on the lease and where the problem is. For a…
A backflow preventer is a device on a building’s water supply that stops water from flowing backward into the public water system. In New York City, many types of commercial properties are required to have one so that chemicals, waste or other contaminants from the building cannot reach the city’s drinking water. Business owners often…
You can often buy plumbing fixtures yourself before an installation, but it helps to check with your plumber first. A fixture that looks right in the store may not fit your existing connections, space or building rules, and that can lead to delays or extra work. Many people like to choose their own faucet, toilet…
A new fixture cannot always go exactly where you want it because it has to connect to drain, vent and water lines that work with the rest of the building’s plumbing. Distance from existing pipes, the way drains slope, the layout of floors and walls, and building rules can all limit where a sink, toilet…
A rough-in is the stage of a plumbing installation when the hidden pipes are put in place before walls, floors and fixtures are finished. It covers the drain, vent and water supply lines that will later connect to sinks, toilets, tubs and other fixtures. You may hear the term when planning new plumbing or moving…
A refrigerator ice maker or water dispenser usually needs a cold water supply line, a shutoff valve that is easy to reach, and a secure connection to the back of the fridge. The exact parts depend on the refrigerator model, its installation instructions and where the nearest cold water line is in the kitchen. This…
Several kitchen plumbing problems can show up at the same time because many kitchen fixtures share the same drain and water lines. A single slowdown or supply issue can affect the sink, garbage disposal and dishwasher together, though sometimes separate problems simply happen around the same time. When more than one thing goes wrong, it…
Kitchen plumbing leaks often hide under the sink, behind the dishwasher, behind the refrigerator and inside the walls or floor near those spots. These areas have water lines or drains that are tucked out of sight, so a slow leak can go unnoticed for a long time. A kitchen has more water connections than most…
Before updating a bathroom, ask whether your plans keep fixtures in the same spots, what condition the existing pipes and valves are in, and whether any of the plumbing work may need permits or building approval. These answers can shape the cost, timeline and scope of the project. A new vanity, tub or shower can…
Water on the bathroom floor after a shower often comes from splashing past a curtain or door, or from worn caulk around the tub or shower. It can also come from a plumbing source, such as a leaking shower valve, tub spout, drain connection or a crack in the tub or shower base. Because so…