Using PEX piping will it reduce the flow?

Question: Low water flow from new single lever faucet. Gone from ½” copper to ½” pex tubing with 4 pex brass fittings in line. Going with the pex fittings in line will this restrict the flow?

Answer: Pex has a higher flow rate than the same size of Copper Pipes. So, your flow should be increased not reduced.

Help Fix My Gurgling Toilet!

Question:

When I take a shower or run the dishwasher the toilet will gurgle and not flush correctly. Is the drain pluged? If I wait 2 or 3 hours all is good but when water is poured down the drain the noise (gurgle) still is there. No water collects in the tub when I shower and drain takes it away quickly. Here is a link with more information on gurgling toilets.

Answer:

Your drain could be partially blocked and the extra running water is hurting the flush. However, my guess is that the toilet is "wet vented" using the drains rather than a separate vented pipe. So, when the dishwasher or the shower runs, the vent for the toilet is being filled with water.

Help Me Replace My Tub Drain with a Toe Tap Drain.

Question: I have a manufactured home and I am trying to replace the toe-tap drain. However this is not as easy as it sounds. In looking at the drain stopper after I removed the top and rubber washer, there is what looks to be a very oversized screw. I have tried with a screw driver, quarter, and even a pair of scissors to remove this.

Am I not supposed to? If I am, is there a special tool I am supposed to use? Any help you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Jeff Jones

Answer: Yes you are correct there is a special tool called a "tub drain wrench". See the photo above. These wrenches are available at home stores or online.


To loosen the drain basket, insert the tongs of the wrench into the drain basket. The wrench has different sizes to fit all popular drains. Then, un-screw the basket. You will need to put plumber's putty on the new basket or toe-tap drain. Also, use a new rubber washer. The washer is installed between the tub and the drain on the underside of the tub.

Hansgrohe Axor to Join Brizo in Not Selling on the Internet

Faucet makers Brizo and Hansgrohe Axor have ceased online retail sales. Internet sales have been the one bright spot in an otherwise slow economy. Despite a recession internet retail sales are expected to rise 10% over last year.

The manufactures may be feeling pressure from dying brick and mortar showrooms who are suffering at the hands of the internet retailers. However, the trend is towards the internet and fighting the trend is usually not a good business decision.

The internet party continues for the brands that embrace online retailing. Total Online retail sales are expected to be 319 Billion by 2013 according to emarketer.com