Dingbat PSA: Time for another "Ask a Plumber!" thread!

[Robb]

Three generations of plumbing knowledge, plus some pure BS, at your disposal!

:D

[KitchenWitch]

1. We keep replacing washers in our bathtub faucet

but they keep leaking, how do we get it to stop?

[Robb]

3. Have you tried just tightening the stem?

I assume you're talking about leaking around the handle?

After a few washers and a slight (SLIGHT) tightening doesn't do it, it's time to replace the stem.

[KitchenWitch]

4. We have replaced stems too!

[Robb]

6. Does it leak right away?

Or does it take a few days?

What could be happening is your faucet is damaged and has a rough part somewhere, wearing on the stem (looking at an old one would show that). Or you could be getting the wrong one over and over ... or putting it in with a part missing (sometimes there are little plastic flanges that are easy to lose, or put in backwards, on some bathtub faucets).

[KitchenWitch]

8. It is an old faucet

It does not leak right away...

Thanks for the answers!

[rockymountaindem]

2. If I urinate in the shower at the gym, where does it go?

It's all pipes, but I hear different pipes go to different places. What is up with that?

[Robb]

5. Ultimately

...all waste heads to your main waste pipe and into the sewer (or septic tank).

Next time you pay your sewer bill, do what I do. Write a little note that says "Thanks for taking all my poop away!" :D

[amerikat]

7. Low water pressure in a house.

The line from the street is on 1/2" steel pipe. I looked on line and saw a pump and tank combo that claims it can boost the pressure.

http://www.watertanks.com/category/271/

Do you think this will work?

[Robb]

9. Read the description itself:

Hydrascan continuously monitors the flow of water through the pump and will switch it off automatically to avoid damage if the supply of water becomes inadequate.

That's the rub. You can't get something for nothing; any pump system will work to move water through your system at greater pressure -- until the reservoir tank runs out. At which point, I suspect, you're looking at two demands on your old pressure: whatever you're running (probably the shower, if your luck is like mine) and the reservoir you've got to refill.

Now, with a big enough tank, in theory you'd be fine. :shrug:

[amerikat]

10. Thanks.

This is for a friends house. He doesn't want to dig up the neighbors driveway apron, sidewalk and driveway.

I suggested a the tank and pump approach. With a back flow preventer(check valve). Thanks for your input. I guess the tank needs to be sized for a maximum load.