Technology is becoming so important. I have seen the future and it dared me to think big. It begs the question, "Is that a contractor in your pocket? Or are you just happy to see me?". My daughter Athena lives in the Bay Area 800 miles away but she is … [Read more...] about Hey, Is That A Contractor In Your Pocket?
Problem Solving
Gas Water Heater Failure
No hot water is the symptom but what could be the cause. I responded to the home of a client that we did a major remodeling project work for in 2012 which 5 years after installation. What could be wrong? Its a gas water heater, for cryin' out loud, such … [Read more...] about Gas Water Heater Failure
Sulfur Smell From Hot Water
I recently diagnosed a new electric water heater emitting a nasty sulfur smell from it. The darn smell would not go away so I asked my Father-In-law Bob the retired plumber what he thought. "Anode rod must be bad" he said. Whatever the cause, it was a … [Read more...] about Sulfur Smell From Hot Water
Can you flip a p trap?
I recently came across a problem that is fairly common in remodeling kitchens. A client remodeled their home after 35 years and ended up with a nicer, under mount sink. The sink bottom ended up about 4" lower than the previous one too, so the connections … [Read more...] about Can you flip a p trap?
Hissing sound turns out to be serious
A past client called to report a strange hissing sound emanating from beneath her kitchen area. She said "It sounded like a machine running or air moving". It seemed like no big deal until she noticed a crack in her drywall in the same general area. That … [Read more...] about Hissing sound turns out to be serious
Shower diverter problems?
Stump the Plumber This is another in the stump the plumber series. A friend called from out of state, he was visiting family. They had a typical tub shower situation with a single valve so it had to be fairly new. The situation When he turned on … [Read more...] about Shower diverter problems?