Some bathroom and kitchen sinks have “S” traps like this one that drain into the floor. It’s important that sewer gas doesn’t get trapped in them. Proper venting of drain lines ensures that a small ...

Q. My new kitchen is going to have a large island with my double-bowl sink in it. The young plumber and my contractor want to use some newfangled thing that just fits under the cabinet. They call it ...

If you poke a drinking straw into your soft drink and place a finger over the opening, you can lift the straw out and the liquid in the straw will stay. Remove your finger and the liquid runs out.

Have you heard the old saying, “You don’t know what you don’t know”? It’s an axiom homeowners should always keep in mind when thinking about the mechanical and structural systems hidden behind the ...

Q: Last week, my home was inspected for the buyer. When my agent gave me the buyer’s request for repairs, one thing took me by surprise. I have lived in this home for over 20 years and never had a ...

Q: My washing machine is in the basement in a room directly beneath the kitchen. When water drains from the washer, it’s going into a hole in the basement floor. The sump pump kicks on, but the water ...