Questions tagged [water]
For questions relating to the water system of a home or other building, including plumbing and fixtures, water heating, water filtering and treatment, and irrigation/sprinkler systems. Questions regarding swimming pools and spas should have the additional tags "pool" or "spa".
2,340
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How to prevent heavy rainwater from jumping the gutter?
During heavy rain, the water collects from my second floor roof and runs onto the first floor roof as it should. The problem is that since all this water is now concentrated from the second floor ...
32
votes
10
answers
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How do I stop a creek from eroding my steep embankment?
Behind my house there is a very steep bank/slope that leads down to a decent-sized, slow moving creek about 10 - 12 ft wide. Unfortunately it meanders right behind my property at the base of this ...
28
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4
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How can I get roof rain runoff into pond with an aboveground wall?
I'd like to collect rain water and have it run through a filter and then into a pond.
The problem is, I can't simply run a pipe underground.
\\
|\\ <-- house roof
| \\
|
| ...
27
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Are "1/4 turn" water supply valves more reliable than "multi-turn" valves? Or vice-versa?
Aside from personal preference, is there any reason why I would want to buy a "1/4 turn" water supply valve instead of "multi-turn valves"? Is one technology/design clearly superior than the other in ...
26
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9
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Is there a freezing-water-resistant metal pipe?
I want to install a water outlet on the outside of my house for gardening etc. Outside temperatures here in Latvia fall to -25°C sometimes, so I cannot use a common water pipe; it would burst when the ...
26
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12
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Is it bad to turn off the water while on vacation?
I'm a little OCD when it comes to traveling. I have learned from experience that when I am away, I constantly have visions that a pipe in the wall had burst and that the water is slowly filling the ...
24
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3
answers
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Sudden Sulfur Smell from well water
We recently (about 8 months ago) had a 475 foot well dug drilled on our property. We are building a home slowly and are only just putting in a hot water heater this week, so we know it’s not an issue ...
24
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2
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What is an air bleeder valve, and how does it winterize pipes?
I found this message attached to a pipe in the first house I bought
Caution
Winter Drain Instructions:
Close valve in October before winter freeze
Open air bleeder valve on side of main valve
Open ...
23
votes
5
answers
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Why does the shower get cold when I flush, and how can I prevent it?
When the shower is running and someone flushes a toilet, why does the shower get cold (or sometimes hot) in some houses, but not others?
More importantly, would fixing that require replacing the ...
23
votes
6
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Should a gas water heater be shut down if the water main has to be turned off?
I have a brand new AO Smith 50gal gas water heater. Today there was a burst pipe from the cold spell we're having currently, so I had to turn off the water main to the house until the plumbers get ...
20
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Is it more economical to use hot water before boiling or to bring cold water to a boil?
Since the arrival of our newborn, we have been using the stove to boil water in order to sterilize the nipples, bottles and rings.
Which got me thinking, is it more economical to start off using hot ...
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Can my municipal water line siphon from my house water lines?
Our local water tower is empty during this winter storm.
I heard my water heater "running" even though there were no faucets on in the house - I immediately thought I had a burst pipe.
...
17
votes
6
answers
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Is it safe for plumbing to use rainwater to flush toilets?
A couple of articles encourage the use of rainwater to flush toilets. (article 1, article 2)
However, would it be safe to do so if the rainwater in your particular area has a pH that is considered as ...
17
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3
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Turn off hot water without hot water valve
I have a leaky pipe on the hot water side that I'd like to fix. Following the pipes back to the water heater, I don't think there's a shutoff valve installed anywhere in the line, not even at the ...
17
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2
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How do I fix a leaky toilet that only leaks from underneath?
I am noticing some water spots on my concrete in my (unfinished) basement. When I look up for the cause of the water I can see water dripping around the hole that is used for the sewer pipe for the ...