Ask The Plumber

The products on the truck - and what each one is for

There are many products in the plumbing trade, and a lot of confusion about which to use, when, and where. Thread paste (pipe dope) seals threaded connections and is probably the most used product on a plumber's truck. PTFE tape can be used in place of, or along with, pipe dope - just don't overwrap it. Plumber's putty belongs only on the underside of things that get tightened down, like sink and tub drains. Caulks and silicones should never be used to seal piping. Any time you take a faucet apart, grease up everything. And flux is what prepares copper pipe to be soldered.

One firm rule from the blog: Draino. Don't use it, ever.

Keeping up with the Michigan plumbing code

Every three years the State of Michigan goes through a new code cycle, and all licensed plumbers are required to take a one-day code update class to learn the changes. Our post from that class also makes the case for the skilled trades: on-site construction and repair work will never go away, and good plumbers are going to be in high demand for years.

Get the lead out

Beginning January 4, 2014, any product that comes in contact with the potable (drinking) water system must not have a lead content exceeding .25%, and plumbing materials and fixtures must be NSF 372 certified to be code compliant. It mainly affects brass - and it is one reason new fixtures cost more than they used to.

Two days in the life of a plumber

An older home that was never properly winterized: split galvanized lines, a rusted-away tub drain, repair after repair - six in one day - until 75% of the house had been replaced with PEX water lines. The lesson we pass on: if you are considering purchasing an older home, to live in, flip or rent out, keep your plumbing budget plenty high for the unforeseen problems that are almost always there, and let a professional plumber take care of it.

Water backup sump pumps

From our Ask The Plumber archive: a water backup sump pump protects your basement in the case of a power outage - it is one of the services on our Services page, alongside water alarms with automatic shut-off valves.